Food for thought

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 | 18-Nov-2011 3.13pm

DRUMMING UP SUPPORT: Keith Sutherland and Damian Drum. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN

THERE are just a few times when a really big lunch is good for a bloke’s health, Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Damian Drum told parliament last week.

Mr Drum said one of those occasions will be on November 25 when the Blokes Biggest Lunch Ever will be held in Sidney Myer Place in central Bendigo to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Mr Drum said the Big Blokes Lunch was an important fund and awareness raiser for prostate cancer.

Last year’s event raised more than $50,000.

“Prostate cancer is one of the easiest cancers to detect and to recover from,” he told parliament.

“But it remains one of the biggest killers of men.

“The lunch is a chance to have a positive impact – to get more middle-aged men to have a check-up.”

Mr Drum praised the efforts of the man behind the lunch, Keith Sutherland, chairman of Bendigo Publishing, whom Mr Drum described as one of Bendigo’s more tireless community leaders.

Mr Drum said Mr Sutherland has assembled many thousands of dollars of items to be auctioned during the lunch.

“So, if it’s not possible for people to attend, I’d urge them to donate something to the auction – and if that’s not possible I’d strongly urge men to get to their doctor and get themselves checked,” he said.