Speed limits to even out
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 | 14-Aug-2012
BENDIGO'S variable and confusing speed limits along the city's main thoroughfare are about to change.
A State Government overhaul of Victoria's speed limits will "rationalise" the speed limits along High Street, through the middle of Bendigo.
At the moment, speed limits range from 90 km/h to 40 km/h, from Big Hill to Huntly, often changing from one to the other, and back again, as the road continues.
Transport Minister Terry Mulder described the statewide changes as sweeping.
One of the most significant changes for country Victoria will be the removal of 80 km/h buffer zones on the edge of most rural towns and cities.
Guidelines for where and when 40 km/h speed zones should be introduced will also be rolled out across the state.
A number of regional roads and streets which have confusing or conflicting speed zone changes will have their signing simplified.
Mr Mulder announced the shake-up today, following a wide-ranging review of the state’s speed limit regime.
The Speed Limit Advisory Group was involved in developing the recommendations.
Mr Mulder said he was pleased to present the actions resulting from the review, one year on from calling for submissions from the public.
The VicRoads review has identified that 80 km/h buffer zones should be replaced with “60 km/h Ahead” signs.
“These buffer zones were originally intended to help drivers gradually slow down from 100 km/h to 60 km/h as they approached a built-up area,” he said.
“VicRoads believes drivers only need to be warned that they are approaching a 60 km/h zone, allowing them to slow down at their own pace.”
However, 80 km/h zones will remain where there are driveways abutting the area between the 100 km/h and 60 km/h zones to ensure residents can safely enter and exit their properties.
VicRoads Executive Director for Road Safety and Network Access David Shelton said one of the priorities from the Victorian Speed Limit Review was the need to develop statewide guidelines for 40 km/h pedestrian zones.
“Some metropolitan councils have implemented 40 km/h speed zones in certain areas, but we believe there needs to be uniform guidelines so that all municipalities have a framework to determine where and when these zones are appropriate,” he said.
“Some areas have high levels of pedestrian activity but only at certain times of the day, for example, at school drop-off or pick-up times or at night in restaurant precincts.
“It may be appropriate to reduce the speed limit only at these peak times, so that road users are confident they are slowing down for the safety of pedestrians when necessary.”
Among the other, longer term outcomes from the review, is the phasing out of many 90 km/h and 70 km/h signs so that drivers will be confronted with fewer changes.
“We will review each of the areas with 90 km/h or 70 km/h speed limits on a case-by-case basis," Mr SHelton said.
"We recognise that at some locations, 70 km/h or 90 km/h is the appropriate speed limit, and for now, many 70 km/h and 90 km/h speed limits won’t change.
“The changes to speed limits represent a simpler system, and a balance between smoothing out travel speeds and the safety of all road users.”
For a detailed list of where and how changes to individual roads or streets will occur, view the interactive map at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/SpeedReview
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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