Food Fossicker eats her words

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 | 30-Aug-2012

TOP DISH: Zoe Waddington of the Old Green Bean.

I’m sure I’ve still missed some, but now to just find a morning to fit it all in

By Nicole Murphy

For as long as people were there to listen, I have been rabbiting on about how much I hate going out for breakfast.
As far as I was concerned it was all the same, same, everywhere. Not a fan of milk on things and although I can eat and enjoy bacon and eggs, it just gets a bit boring and I can make them at home myself.
Then, I went to some amazing Middle Eastern number in Melbourne and my rant changed and it wasn’t that breakfast was the problem, it was that Bendigo had no interesting breaky options, and so I continued.
Apologies! I was so very wrong and I’m not even sure how long I’ve been misrepresenting this town for, but I suspect, quite some time.
So, I write now to make up for this terrible slander.
Recently I went to the Old Green Bean for the first time. Gasp, shock, horror etc.
I know there should be no excuse, but here’s mine: I’d heard how great their coffee was, but I thought it was literally just that, a coffee place. I don’t drink coffee. More gasp, shock etc.
Anyway, some celebratory reason found me out for dreaded breakfast and, as I was meeting with a coffee lover, we went to the Old Green Bean where I had, wait for it, the best breakfast I think I’ve ever had. Mmmm Breakfast Burrito’s, how I’ve dreamed of you since.
Zoe and Chris Waddington opened up The Old Green Bean just over two years ago and have received overwhelming patronage from Bendigo at their gorgeous little cafe-cum-vintage-store in Lyttleton Terrace.
Chris is originally a stockbroker from Edinburgh who fell in love with coffee, and Zoe, while travelling. He had decided he’d go home and open a roaster in Scotland, but was correctly persuaded by the new love in his life that it was too cold there and that sunny old Bendigo was a much better option. He might not think so after this winter but thankfully he chose to stay and give us this little piece of joy.
I’ve since discovered (now that my eyes are no longer closed to breakfast) that it’s not just The Old Green Bean who are stepping out with different breakfast menu ideas.
The Wine Bank has a tomato and chickpea ragout with poached eggs, the Cornerstore Cafe and the Brewhouse let me choose from an all-day menu, you can even start the day with a breakfast martini at The Dispensary, or if you have a sweet tooth, you can’t go past T’hooft’s Belgian waffles.
I’m sure I’ve still missed some but now to just find a morning to fit it all in.