Scheer disappointment

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 | 25-Sep-2012

Bendigo Spirit import Kathleen Scheer has been ruled out of the upcoming WNBL season.

The 23-year-old American will head back to the US to rehab a knee injury, suffered in pre-season training with the Spirit.

Scheer had developed tendinitis-like symptoms, but was attempting to play through the injury, recording 18 points and four rebounds against Townsville in the WNBL pre-season tournament at the weekend.

Bendigo defeated Bulleen in the tournament's final game to collect their first piece of silverware in the club's six-year history, but Scheer played only 12 minutes and failed to score a point.

Coach Bernie Harrower said it was extremely disappointing to lose the former Duke University Blue Devil.

"We've been really impressed with Kathleen and it's just devastating that this injury means that she'll miss this WNBL season and will instead be heading home to undertake rehabilitation," he said.

"We were all hoping for the best, but medical advice is that it's a 6-12 week rehabilitation period without the rigours of playing and training at the WNBL level.

We certainly hope this isn't the last we've seen of Kathleen in Bendigo. She's enjoyed her time here and we've enjoyed having her, so hopefully something can work out for the future."

Harrower and the Spirit coaching staff will attempt to quickly find another import to replace Scheer before the season starts on October 5.