Greens council plan attacked
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 | 17-Jul-2012 Exclusive
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Former Bendigo mayor David Jones.
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THE Greens are under fire for plans to run three endorsed candidates in the City of Greater Bendigo council election in October.
Former mayor and local Greens convenor David Jones revealed on Bendigo IPTv today the Greens 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.
Current Sandhurst Ward councillor James Reade said there was no room for party politics in local government.
"I have major concerns if political parties are seeing local government as a vehicle to push their agendas," he said.
"I have big concerns about this.
"The new ward structure, with three councillors in three wards, makes it easier for people and interest groups to put candidates up and get them elected as well."
Epsom Ward councillor Lisa Ruffell, who is a member of the Liberal Party, also attacked the Greens' plan.
"It is one thing to be a member of a political party and run for council, but it is another for that party to preselect you or for you to be an endorsed candidate for them," she said.
"It is unfair for the other candidates who are competing against an organised and well-funded party machine.
"There is also the perception of mixed loyalties. Are you representing the community, or are you representing The Greens?
"This is why endorsed party political candidates are bad for local government and they are bad for Bendigo."
EARLIER
CONTROVERSIAL former City of Greater Bendigo mayor David Jones will run in the September City of Greater Bendigo council elections if he is preselected by the Greens.
As revealed at www.bendigoweekly.com.au yesterday, Mr Jones spoke today on Bendigo IPTv and confirmed he has sought preselection.
The Greens will endorse a candidate in each ward, and Mr Jones is hoping to be one of those. He will only run if endorsed.
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".
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.”
will campaign on. I am tipping some new faces on council after October, but not as many as occurred in 2008, due to preference exchanges, and 'boxing' of preferences by some current councillors. Especially in the Eppalock Ward,if 3 incumbent councillors run
there, as appears likely.