Strathfieldsaye supermarket plan

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.”

Rosemary Sorensen | Bendigo Weekly | 17-Sep-2012

GROWTH AREA: A shopping plaza is planned for Strathfieldsaye.

Plans to develop a shopping plaza at Strathfieldsaye include a supermarket and retail outlets on a site next to the primary school.

Consulting firm Urbis lodged the application with the City of Greater Bendigo council on behalf of David Fein and Maverston Properties.

The site at 2 Club Court is zoned Business 1 (retail), and fronts Strathfieldsaye Road (Wellington Street) between Club Court and Uxbridge Street.

It was the subject of a successful submission in 2010, when the City of Greater Bendigo council tried to “back zone” the two-hectare site from Business 1 to Residential 1, as part of an amendment of the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme for Strathfieldsaye.

Following hearings in October 2010, the rezoning request was refused and 2 Club Court remained as Business 1.

A concept plan prepared when the site was up for sale showed a 3700-square-metre supermarket with provision for 260 carparks, up to 13 shops and two fast food outlets.

The two-man panel which reported on the Strathfiedsaye township amendment in November 2010, supported the development of retail outlets on the “gateway site” at 2 Club Court.

“There is an almost immediate (short term) need for a second supermarket to better cater for the existing and future residents,” the report said.

It supported a second supermarket as a “consolidated retail solution” for Strathfieldsaye.