Poppet head warning

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.”

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 29-Aug-2012

The former mine on Abel Street.

LOCALS are being warned to stay away from Deborah Mine at 9-11 Abel Street, Golden Square and not to enter the fenced off area.

Part of the mine has collapsed due to the large amounts of rain over the winter season and a hole has opened up next to the base of the poppet head.

City of Greater Bendigo Building and Property Services manager Andy Walker said the site had been inspected as soon as the council had been alerted to the issue.

“Upon further investigation of the collapse of the mine, it was noted that part of the timber structure of the poppet head had deteriorated," he said.

"This structure was built in 1935 from steel and timber. In response to this potential danger, a secondary fence around the existing poppet head has been installed to keep people out of the immediate area along with a wire barricade over the open mine shaft to make it safe.

“The council has sought specialist advice from both a structural engineer and mining expert to look at what needs to be done in the short and long term.

“Once the report has been received from these consultants, a long term solution will be determined.

“Discussions have been held between the council, Bendigo Trust and the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the surrounding neighbourhood has been informed of the situation and advised of potential safety issues.

“The area is currently secure and the council has taken the necessary safety precautions but we discourage people from entering the site for any reason.”