Jones pulls out

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 | 16-Aug-2012

FORMER City of Greater Bendigo mayor David Jones has changed his mind and will not run at October's elections.

Mr Jones told the Bendigo Weekly he had made the decision for family reasons.

"I reached a fork in the road, looked at both forks and chose one, for positive reasons" he said.

"I decided not to run for life-work-family balance."

To have your say on the current council's performance, go to www.surveymonkey.com/s/6ZBTFV9

In July, Mr Jones revealed the Greens would run endorsed candidates in the three new council wards, and he would seek preselection for one of the positions.

The Greens' plan was attacked by most of the sitting council, for introducing organised party politics into local government elections.

Mr Jones was mayor for two years of the previous council term, and was one of five councillors thrown out at the 2008 election.

Despite being part of a council that approved the disastrous Hargreaves Mall redevelopment, Mr Jones later described the project as a "lemon" and a "disgrace".