Outpouring on drains
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.”
Ben Cameron | Bendigo Weekly | 24-Nov-2011 5.59pm
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UNHAPPY: Howard Walker with the gutter that keeps blocking outside his house.
»
Last week’s stories on the diversion of cash away from council drainage works has caused a stir.
What’s more it seems the problems are not isolated with many residents sharing similar problems
Your Comments
Complaints unheard
In answer to the Bendigo Weekly’s article on drainage in the Bendigo district, we have been complaining for many years without results.
Our problem has been severe flooding of our yard and under the house from Taylor Street, Golden Square.
There is only one drainage inlet for the whole of Taylor Street. The water detours across Mackenzie Street West, then floods down our driveway and yard, flooding the garage and washing soil away, and flows gradually under our fence to the creek.
It would be impossible to exit the yard while it is flooding.
We have spoken to council many times, also to our councillor.
The cost to fix the problem was quoted as $35,000 but the money is used in Bendigo not to fix outer area problems.
Norman and Marie Freeman, Golden Square
Council accountable
Firstly can I say I commend Mr Fuzzard from the City of Greater Bendigo council for his honesty in relation to the now $40m drainage repair problem the city faces.
Since it has nearly doubled within the past six months one would have to wonder what it will be in another 12 months if this council sits on its hands and does nothing.
It is all fine and dandy to say let’s build a multi-deck car park, that no one wanted.
Then there is the money being spent hand over fist for both the arts venues, and don’t forget the sporting ovals.
Surely this council must have sat down with all these projects on the table and prioritised what needed doing first.
That would have to be the drainage, I would have thought, so why did they only allocate $3m for a project that at that stage was just over $20m?
No, it is nice to have all the glitter but when your home gets flooded or a life is lost then the council must be held accountable because they have been forewarned about the dire problem.
Robert K Smallpage,
Huntly
Benefits for select few
At least on the subject of insufficient funds for upgrade of the drainage network, Lisa Ruffell is right.
Our council is spending our rates like a drunken sailor.
I am one of those residents whose property got flooded.
All those arty farty projects that our rates stump up, are usually of benefit to the select few. When we have fixed all the existing needs for our community, then perhaps we can look at these elitist projects.
As we know, our council can’t walk and chew at the same time, so let us concentrate on the more basic needs first.
Karl Helper,
Flora Hill
Shake the big stick
CR Ruffell you are spot on.
It is the management trying to build their profiles up and not looking at our future when they toddle off to another position in another council and leave their mess behind.
Time to shake the big stick and let’s get some action on these drains.
Web comment from
Leafy Green Trees
Priorities wrong
We would like to support the view that the council has got its funding priorities wrong.
We live in Aitken Street Kangaroo Flat, and along with neighbours, have to suffer serious storm water drainage problems following any major downpour.
We find the pipes along the rear easement are insufficient to carry the build-up of water and as a result our backyard floods and water enters our home. We have repeatedly reported this to council and their engineers have inspected and agree the pipes are inadequate.
Their response is “We would like to fix the problem by enlarging the old pipes but we do not have any money to carry out the works.”
We support any action which can influence the council to adopt a more common-sense approach to funding priorities.
Allan and Ronda Prentice
Kangaroo Flat
Drainage a ‘laughing stock’
By BEN CAMERON
A long-TIME White Hills resident has described the drainage problems in Bendigo as a “laughing stock”.
Howard Walker told the Bendigo Weekly that his front yard became a mini lake every time there was a heavy downpour, due to a drainage pit outside his property that is far too small, and not maintained.
“The water floods into my shed, and I have to sweep it all out,” he said. “It’s pushed my fence backwards and made the footpath uneven.”
He said City of Greater Bendigo councillor Lisa Ruffell had come out to his property to
inspect his property after
heavy rain, but the problem remains.
“She’s been out here after a heavy rain, she’s got her feet wet, but we’ve got nowhere,” he said.
“It’s a laughing stock.”
He said he received a letter a few years ago the problem would be fixed next year.
“(But) I just got another letter saying it won’t be done until at least 2013,” he said.
“Come 2013 they’ll be saying it won’t be done until 2016.”
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.”
