Money for Calder intersection

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 | 31-Jul-2012

An accident at the Ravenswood intersection

THE State Government has announced safety funding for a dangerous Calder Highway intersection.

Liberal Party Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell today announced $648,000 in safety upgrades for intersections in Bendigo and Ravenswood.

Ms Lovell said the intersections at Don Street and Barnard Street, Bendigo, and the Calder Highway and Calder Alternate Highway, Ravenswood, will be upgraded with a

number of safety treatments.

“The Calder and Calder Alternate Highway intersection is one of some notoriety in the local community, due to an unfortunate number of serious injury crashes there in recent years, including a fatality,” she said.

“There is a significant crest on the Calder Alternate Highway that restricts sight distance for motorists as they approach the intersecting Calder Highway.

“This issue will be addressed with measures such as improved warning signage and skid resistance on the approach to the intersection and an extension of the kerb.

“As part of this funding, the intersection of Don Street and Barnard Street in Bendigo will also be improved by altering the traffic signals to display a fully-controlled right turn.

“Directing road users to make right turns from Barnard Street only when a green arrow is displayed will help minimise the risk of collisions.”

The funding is provided by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) through the Safer Roads Infrastructure Program and is part of a 10-year commitment of $650 million.