Saturday night, out in Bendigo, I was a bit shocked for a couple of reasons...
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 | 03-Jun-2011 4.16
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Carolyn Teo’s Seedpod show is in Bendigo
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1) I saw Hourglass, one of the best live shows EVER, and,
2) Only a handful of people were there.
Punctum Inc. has been going for a while (it presented and produced Hourglass). I discovered Punctum pretty much as soon as I arrived in Bendigo; a not-for-profit organisation that nurtures the multitude of arty types in our region.
Based in Castlemaine it’s been going for quite a few years (since 2004), auspicing several developmental live arts programs through its limited, hard-fought-for funding coffers.
One is In-habit, a cross-cultural international artist exchange program. The other is Seedpod, a local live arts incubator. Both encourage regionally-based artists – or artists who will benefit from practising regionally – to experiment, develop, investigate and take risks with their artform, in a safe place.
Sometimes that safe place is ICU (Intensive Culture Unit), located in Castlemaine’s old hospital site (where else!) in Halford Street, part of the thriving cultural and regional business hub it has become.
The other main safe house is the Old Fire Station venue in Bendigo. It consistently has exciting and progressive performances on its stage (given its history, hopefully you can forgive my umbrage at the lack of local bums on seats on Saturday).
I’ve been fortunate enough to participate in a couple of Punctum judging panels for recent rounds of In-habit and Seedpod, and I am also commissioned to write about them for their website.
Knowing that the applications were works-in-progress (that is,not fully-formed), likely to be brimming with flaws, possibly even a bit of hubris. I have to say I didn’t have any particular expectations for the Hourglass performance (one of the successful 2011 applicants), other than it be interesting.
And after attending the Hourglass artist talk prior at La Trobe VAC, I was still in the dark; a wee bit passionless at times, moreover the artists gave little indication as to what was coming up across the road in an hour’s time.
I didn’t need to worry. What I saw was spectacular – and a spectacular triumph.
Sensuous, meditative, technically excellent, transcendant, experimental, 100 per cent engaging, beautiful, sad, uplifting, dynamic, musical. Hourglass was a totally immersive and remarkable fusion of art, theatre, music, sound, image, video and lighting. Performed live in a fantastically intimate setting to … just on twenty people.
My hope is that the Hourglass crew are rewarded with much more recognition than we could give them the other night. And a shot at massaging that piece into the bigger one they are aspiring – and are more than ready – to do.
Then! Perform it at an international arts festival, where hundreds will flock to be a part of its audience – which for 20 locals on Saturday, was a very special experience.
Years ago if I had gone to such a great show with such a small audience, I might have said, somewhat exclusively, “Cool, I was there first.”
Not anymore. As I stick with this arts caper – my calling – my firm belief is that we need to be inclusive, and curious. To seek out and support the good artists and art, and to loudly encourage them to keep going. Otherwise they disappear. Quickly. Easily. Into the black hole of ignominy.
And with them goes the opportunity to transform the way we look at the world.
Trust me... I know. Thank goodness for the Punctums of the world. They keep us safe. And inspired.
Carolyn Teo performs Seedpod #2 Saturday June 4 at 8pm and Sunday June 5 at 2pm, The Old Fire Station, View Street, Bendigo. Tickets $10 at the door.
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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