‘Setting a precedent’
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 | 01-Dec-2011 3.33pm
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OUT OF LINE: There are mixed feelings following the change.
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Cricket official cries foul over midway rule change
A Cricket Victoria official believes a dangerous precedent has been set after the Bendigo and District Cricket Association overturned a rule midway through Round Six on Tuesday night.
“It creates a rod for their back,” Cricket Victoria umpiring manager Bob Parr said.
Only one game began in either A or B Grade level on Saturday, a fixture between Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst, where 32 overs were bowled.
With play abandoned with the Jets sitting at a precarious 5/49, the match, and all other B Grade games, reverted to ordinary conditions, under rule 4.5 of the BDCA.
However, that rule was overturned on Tuesday night, allowing all other B Grade fixtures to be played as one-day games.
While BDCA president Wayne Walsh said the decision was for the “betterment of cricket”, it’s drawn the ire of Strathfieldsaye president Brent Yates, who was informed of the decision via email.
“There are a number of areas that have concerned us,” he said.
“(A) lack of communication to both Sandhurst and Strathfieldsaye prior to the overall decision, and then such notification put out to the clubs and media outlets without a fair right of reply prior to such a decision.
“(And) having a ruling mid game rather than after a round has been completed.”
He also had concerns with the B Grade fixture being played in the first place, considering the brand new strip at Tannery Lane, and the extremely poor weather.
“Not one game was played in any association through Bendigo for the afternoon,” Yates said.
“Given rain at that time, that the town knew was coming, but the umpires’ further desire to push through what were already wet conditions under foot, and then wet conditions during the actual play, is also concerning.
“Having a new deck with full grass cover may have hidden the wet areas which may highlight the lack of knowledge on pitch conditions from the umpires.”
However, BDCA president Wayne Walsh said the decision was made for the good of the game.
“We made the decision for the betterment of cricket,” he said.
“The board has the right to make these decisions, it’s in the rule book under General Provisions.”
Rule 1.7 of the BDCA rule book states: “Subject to the approval of the Board, if necessary, alter the program in respect of dates, grounds or times, for commencing or continuing any match”.
However, it makes no mention of changing the dynamics of matches.
While Walsh said the board had not been pressured into its unanimous decision from any of the B Grade teams, he admitted some would see a dangerous precedent had been set.
“Some would say yes,” Walsh said.
“Some teams might decide not to play one particular week and opt for a one-day game the following week.”
Walsh admitted the BDCA rule book would need to be closely scrutinised.
“We may need to re-look at our rules,” he said.
“Perhaps when a certain percentage of games are washed out, we cancel the entire round.”
BDCA secretary John Hecker said the rule would not be removed but given more flexibility.
“We’ve acted in the best interests of the competition,” 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.”
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