Macarons on the menu
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.”
Vicki Harrington | Bendigo Weekly | 27-Sep-2012
For a great school holiday activity why not get the kids into the kitchen for a cooking day?
Cupcake decorating is a great way to make a mess in the kitchen while keeping the kids entertained for hours.
There are many great products on the market these days for both kids and adults which make the job easier and help achieve a really professional finish.
A professional chef for more than 15 years, Sonia Anthony loves cooking and inspiring people to get into the kitchen and have fun using high quality ingredients.
Six years ago with other mums she started making cooking packs as a fund-raising activity packaged in sewn brown paper bags.
“They became so popular they reached pest level so it was a case of expand or stop making them,” Sonia said.
Sonia chose to continue production herself expanding the range to six mixes packaged in smart boxes.
“The packs make cooking quicker and easier. All the recipes have been tested, the packs are hand mixed and packed and all decorations are made from scratch,” she said.
“By far the most popular is the World’s Best Chocolate Brownie pack with the Worlds’ Best Gingerbread Martians a close second.”
Other packs include the World’s Best Mini Cupcakes with handmade Butterfly Decorations, Gluten Free Choc Chip Cookies, Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes with handmade Butterfly Decorations and Gluten Free Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache.
“I’m working on some new packs, macarons are a definite and I have a couple of other ideas that are still a work in progress” Sonia said.
Macarons have been the talk of the family restaurant, Masons of Bendigo, for the past couple of months while Sonia has been perfecting her technique.
“I like Adriano Zumbo’s recipe,” she said. “My husband Nick says my macarons must be the most expensive in Bendigo, I have made so many practice batches.”
The pictures prove Sonia has mastered the art and she has some tips of her own for us would-be macaron makers.
“I strain the egg whites and age them in the freezer for about a week before bringing them to room temperature.
The secret to the nice smooth finish is thorough sifting or grinding of the almond meal and icing sugar.”
If that all sounds too involved, watch her website for the new macaron packs to hit the shelves. www.chefsoniaandyou.com
Sonia’s packs are also available at Bob Boutique, Masons of Bendigo restaurant and very soon at the Bendigo Tourist Information Centre.
Market alert
Never miss your local farmers’ market again.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan announced on Monday the latest information about Victoria’s farmers’ markets is now available via an iPhone app.
Speaking at the Royal Melbourne Show, Mr Ryan said the iPhone app would be a valuable tool in promoting the range of fresh produce and goods available at authentic farmers’ markets around the state.
“The app will better connect shoppers to producers by listing market stalls by category, region and name along with the date and area that markets are being held,” Mr Ryan said.
“It can also be used to alert people about when and where the markets are being held, so shoppers don’t miss an opportunity to visit the markets and enjoy the array of fresh, home grown goods that are available.”
The Bendigo Community Farmers’ Market features prominently on the app with monthly dates and many producers listed.
Set the alert to remind you nice and early every second Saturday it’s market day.
Bendigo Community Farmers’ Market will welcome some new and old faces in the coming months.
Look out for the ladies from Holy Goat Cheese, Nicky from Spring Hill Peony Farm and a new garlic supplier.
Next market is on Saturday October 13, 9am to 1pm at the Rosalind Park end of Williamsson Street.
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.”
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