My Big Fat Gypsy wedding encounter
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 | 01-Sep-2011 11.22am
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ROAD TRIP:Robert Gibson with Pauline, Thelma and Leanne – dressmakers to the gypsies.
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INCREDIBLE over the top wedding and Catholic confirmation dresses have been the stars of Austar’s hit documentary My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding.
But the creators of these massive and expensive garments are surprisingly approachable and grounded dressmakers despite their new found celebrity.
The British documentary has been a runaway success, achieving record-breaking ratings for UK’s Channel 4 and has made household names of those appearing in the documentary that chronicles the unusual lifestyles and ancient customs of Britain’s travelling communities that are more commonly known as gypsies.
Used as a conduit between the secretive community, the series film-makers interview Liverpool dressmaker Thelma Madine, her assistant Pauline and head dress designer Leanne Phillips to reveal the amazing work that goes into the creation of wedding dresses that have broken world records for their size, weight and cost.
Thelma’s dress shop Nico is relatively unassuming considering the extravagant dresses that are sold from the shop on the outskirts of Liverpool’s CBD.
A big fan of the series, a photo opportunity was on my ‘to-do’ list while in Liverpool.
An enthusiastic request to photograph the dresses on display in the shop led to Nico’s assistant manager Pauline closing the store and taking me and my local friends to a workshop about a half a kilometre away to meet Thelma and Leanne, becoming the first overseas visitor to be offered the opportunity.
This is an achievement considering the show has begun airing in the US, creating an army of American visitors making the pilgrimage to the now famous Nico premises.
Despite a night without sleep answering Facebook fan mail, Thelma was happy to show her latest extravaganza and be photographed with metres of fabric and crystal and beaded bling that make up a future gypsy bride’s wedding dress.
Celebrity sits well with all three and they are excited about the responses to their unique creations.
They are recognised in the street, dining out, at the supermarket and of course at Nicos.
Another series is planned by Channel 4 and Thelma says she looks forward to the film crews again working around her dressmaking life.
Thelma also revealed plans for an exhibition of the dresses that have now become famous and art pieces in their own right.
My experience of meeting these famous Liverpudlians was as big as the dresses.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding airs on Austar/Foxtel’s Lifestyle You channel.
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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