Greens draw more fire over election
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.”
Anthony Radford | Bendigo Weekly | 27-Jul-2012
CRITICISM of the Greens’ plans to run three candidates in the coming City of Greater Bendigo council elections has continued.
Former mayor and local Greens convenor David Jones revealed last week the party would endorse one candidate in each of the three new wards.
Mr Jones said he would seek preselection to be one of those candidates.
The Greens faced criticism at the last council election in 2008 for a similar tactic, with none of the endorsed candidates winning a ward.
Last week, councillors James Reade and Lisa Ruffell attacked the move, concerned about the influence of political parties on Bendigo council.
This week, three more councillors added their voices attacking the move.
Strathfieldsaye Ward councillor Keith Reynard, who has a strong interest in environmental and sustainability issues, spoke out against the idea.
“I have always maintained councils are best kept free of party politics,” he said.
“I have never been a member of a political party.
“I’m not a supporter of parties being involved in local government at that level.”
North West Plains Ward councillor Bruce Phillips agreed.
“As far as I am concerned that sort of potential of having some sort of group together voting the same way on policy issues may not necessarily be the right direction,” he said.
“Sure they [candidates] might have affiliations or memberships, but I would prefer everyone acts independently and votes according to the merits of the proposal in front of us and how it fits in with where council thinks it should be going.”
Eaglehawk Ward councillor Peter Cox acknowledged it was the Greens’ right to endorse and run the candidates, but refused to support the idea.
“I think they are courageous because they have principles they want to stand up for and they are doing that,” he said.
“However, I would want pragmatic policy to influence the decision making of council.
“This council looks at issues on their merit and different councillors vote different ways depending on what they see on each issue.
“That is a credit to local government and I wouldn’t want to lose that. I prefer to keep politics out of local government.”
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.”
Comment