Phillips to run
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 | 08-Aug-2012 FIRST FOR NEWS
CITY of Greater Bendigo North West Plains Ward councillor Bruce Phillips will run in October's election.
Cr Phillips told www.bendigoweekly.com.au he would nominate for the Lockwood Ward.
He said the biggest issue facing council at the moment was its $10.3 million superannuation shortfall.
"If we can't resolve that we will have to slash and burn," he said.
"We will have to stop some works, and for that amount of money about 60 staff members mightn't have a job."
Cr Phillips said an independent review of council was a waste of money, and questioned last week's call from Eaglehawk Ward councillor Peter Cox for a rates cap.
"I understand from the Municipal Association of Victoria that unless you are increasing rates by between 5.7 per cent and six per cent you are standing still," he said.
"With a four per cent cap like Ballarat, I wonder whether they are going backwards."
Cr Phillips, who was elected in a 2010 by-election after the death of Kevin Gibbins, said council was doing a good job, and needed to continue its strong strategic and planning work.
"We are doing OK. I believe council has been on the right course," he said.
"The latest survey results indicate we are doing better than the rest of the state."
Cr Phillips acknowledged more needed to be done in the areas of drainage and road maintenance.
"We should be sealing our roads every 20 years and rehabilitating them every 50," he said.
"We are doing it at about half that rate."
Cr Phillips said Fortuna needed to stay in public hands and council had to rationalise facilities such as some pools to ensure others stayed in good condition.
He said planning laws should also be relaxed to allow for easier in-fill residential subdivisions, especially where heritage and environmental matters were concerned.
"We need to be realistic about what we keep and what we sacrifice to make sure we have a more compact city," he said.
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.”
needed with Cr. Phillips given the DCM.