Five-star plan for CBD

BENDIGO’S residential Strategy will be reviewed because of greater than expected growth.

The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.

The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.

Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.

“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.

“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”

Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.

The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.

“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,

“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.

“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”

Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.

“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.

“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 13-Sep-2012 Eyesore to go

The City of Greater Bendigo has sold the former Bendigo Advertiser building in Pall Mall to local developers.

Mayor Alec Sandner said that this current process began in May 2012 and it is great to see this site purchased by the private sector for redevelopment.

“The new owners intend to transform the entire site into a five-star boutique hotel complete with a five-star restaurant, 60 hotel suites, function centre, gym and other amenities. This will be completed in two stages with development of the existing Pall Mall building being stage one. The second stage will see the Hargreaves Street site having 40 hotel suites and will be a new structure,” said Cr Sandner.

“The developers want to provide Bendigo with a premium quality hotel with a level of luxury previously not available in regional Victoria.

“During the period that the Bendigo library is occupying the building, the developers will use this time to create the design, plans and have approvals completed. Once all of these are in place, redevelopment can happen soon after the library moves back to its previous location in late 2013. Stage one is intended to be completed and be operating by May, 2014.

“This exciting new project will bring work for local contractors as well as up to 30 new jobs once the project is finished creating an economic benefit for the city and bring more people to the region.

“The City is confident that with existing planning controls there is sufficient guidance for the developers’ plans to align with the Central Business District Plan and a good quality result for the entire city will be achieved.”

Colliers International were the appointed lead agents for the sale of these properties in partnership with Bendigo real estate agency Dungey Carter Ketterer.