Speed limits up for review

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.”

Anthony Radford | Bendigo Weekly | 30-Aug-2011

SPEED LIMITS: The Victorian government wants to hear your concerns.

CENTRAL Victorians have been invited to have their say on confusing and potentially dangerous stretches of road with too many speed limit changes.

Roads Minister Terry Mulder said many motorists had expressed their frustration at roads with multiple speed limit changes, school zones, shopping strips and town centres.

“We’ve asked VicRoads to conduct this review to make speed limits simpler, more consistent and easier to understand for all Victorians.”

Mr Mulder said it was important that speed limits were applied consistently across the state to ensure that they were easy for drivers to adhere to.

“Submissions are now open for Victorians to nominate roads where they believe the speed limits should be reviewed,” Mr Mulder said.

“If you have something to say about roads with too many speed zone changes, speed zones at schools or shopping strips, or you have a suggestion to make speed limits easier to understand, we want to hear from you.”

Mr Mulder said speed limits were set to provide a balance between safety and mobility, with consideration given to traffic, pedestrians and surrounding developments.

Residents of a retirement village on the McIvor Highway have been campaigning for a reduced speed limit along the seciton of highway leading towards McIvor Hill, citing concerns for safety which VicRoads have so far disputed.

Anyone interested in making a submission can check the Terms of Reference found on the VicRoads website at vicroads.vic.gov.au. Submissions are open from 30 August to 11 October 2011 and can be sent to speedreview@roads.vic.gov.au or posted to Speed Limit Review, 60 Denmark Street, Kew, Vic, 3101.