OMG my BMI is OTT

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.”

Steve Kendall | Bendigo Weekly | 26-Jan-2012

"As I see it I have three lines of attack, the protein liquid diet, the lap band, and the new kid on the block – the gastric sleeve."

LAST week the Weekly kicked off the Better Health Club, in a bid to teach the folk of Bendigo a healthier outlook.

By chance I was booked into a mega session with Mrs Doctor.
I don’t know how the poor woman puts up with me, bad jokes and evading answers.
It’s like a day in parliament.
Anyway, the mega session was all about the health plan for Steve.
To my horror there were seven points which needed attention.
Some were more needy than others.
I had a head start on point one, having managed to halt the intake of beer on December 31.
So today I can say I have not had a drink for 27 days.
To non-drinkers that won’t mean much, but if you like a few beers you’ll know what an achievement that is.
I won’t go through the list of seven: one, because I don’t understand it all, and two, I must retain a shred of secrecy for dignity’s sake.
As I looked at the list with Mrs Doctor it seemed a lot would be solved or eased by good-old-fashioned weight loss.
Once again, you thinnies out there won’t understand this, but the 56.9 per cent of Bendigo residents who are over the line on weight will know it’s not always easy.
I don’t understand why people gamble, but to those who do it’s impossible to stop.
I guess overeating sits in the same camp.
Anyway, there’s a handy little sum the medicos use to identify your condition.
It’s called body mass index, or BMI.
A simple calculation will give you the magic indicator.
You need your height and weight and a sum, I did mine online.
Once you top a BMI of 25 you’re in the problem area, and I weighed in with a BMI of around 41.
You can see the actual figures in the illustration on this page.
Wow! It’s no great surprise to me of course, you tend to realise there is a problem when you’re 40kg overweight.
Mrs Doctor has been trying to get me on the straight and narrow for a while now, and I am on first-name terms with the receptionists at the medical centre.
On my last visit, and buoyed by the success in cutting out the grog, I decided on drastic action.
As I see it I have three lines of attack: the protein liquid diet, the lap band, and the new kid on the block – the gastric sleeve.
The coward in me likes the idea of the protein shakes, seems a lot less invasive, I just wonder if I could stick to it.
The lap band needs maintenance and seems to be very successful for people in 50 per cent of cases... that leaves the gastric sleeve.
This is, put simply, the surgical removal of about 70 per cent of the stomach.
Crikey. Now that does sound serious.
Mrs Doctor suggested I speak to someone who has had the procedure.
“You could meet and have a b....” she was so close to saying beer, before she realised such a suggestion was a bit silly considering I was bolted to the wagon.
We both laughed, and I mentally made the note to write this
line.
Well, I spoke to a man who had been through the operation and he had nothing but praise.
Twenty-five minutes later I had certainly put gastric sleeving on the “possible” list, a close second behind the protein shakes.
Extreme yes, but so are the health issues if I don’t do something.
To be continued...