No limits as Colin looks for new love
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.”
Rosemary Sorensen | Bendigo Weekly | 19-Jan-2012
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ON THE LOOKOUT: Colin James has written an autobiography. Photo: Andrew Perryman
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Colin James has never been a loner.
After three marriages, and even though his health problems put an end to many of his former activities, he is actively looking for wife number four, and optimistic about finding her.
Mr James tells the story of each marriage, and the way he tackled the Stills disease that reduced his mobility from the age of three, in his memoir, If I Can Do It…
With the help of his brother, a former school principal, he has detailed his 40 years as a singer and songwriter, as well as promoter and public speaker, campaigning for the rights of disabled people.
“If I Can Do It…” was also the title of a poem he turned into one of the songs he used to perform.
“I’m probably lucky that I got rheumatic fever when I was a child, because it made me the person I am,” he said.
“I have my ups and downs like everyone, but I’m optimistic, it’s the way I’m made.
“I meet people who think ‘disabled’ and have a grudge against the world.
“I think ‘limitation’, and get on with it.”
Mr James lists among his achievements an Order of Australia, and the honour of being among the torch bearers for the 2000 Olympic Games.
He said writing the book was just like songwriting, “easy in parts and not so easy in others”.
The idea to write a memoir
first came to him when, a few years ago, a journalist interviewing him asked him some personal questions.
“I thought, this is hurting, why is it hurting?”, he said.
“I’m not a deep thinker, I’m a surface person, the kind who knows a little bit about everything.
“But I began to piece it all together, and now it’s out there, for the world to see.”
Mr James said he asked all three wives to check over the sections about them.
“I believe in speaking my mind, although I stayed clear of topics like sexuality, as that is too sensitive,” he said.
“I’ve had my own little depressions in the past, but I think I’ve learned things along the way.
“As for marriage, I think I’d be better next time – needless to say, I’m spending a lot of time on dating sites.”
Colin James’s memoir If I Can Do It... will be launched tomorrow, January 21, at 11am at Dymocks in Mitchell Street, Bendigo.
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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