Spirit face a scary start

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 | 24-Jul-2012

Spirit centre Gabe Richards in action against the AIS

The Bendigo Spirit are up against a tough start to their 2012/13 Womens National Basketball League campaign.

The Spirit play each of the top three sides from last year in the first two rounds, and their first four games are all played away from home.

Bendigo, whose first home game is in round three, will travel interstate to play 2011/12 minor premiers Adelaide and West Coast in round one, on October 5 and 6, respectively.

The game against the West Coast Waves will see the Spirit girls face a former teammate in Deanna Smith, who signed with the Perth based club in April.

In round two Bendigo play away from home on consecutive days against last year’s runners-up in Bulleen, and the team that topped the Boomers in last year's grand final, Dandenong.

Every team will have a bye once this season, caused by the departure of the Australian Institute of Sport team from the competition, with the Spirit sitting out round five.

Each team will play 24 home-and-away games, with all 12 Spirit home games played at the Bendigo Stadium.

The 2012/13 home-and-away season runs from October 5 - February 16, with Bendigo hosting Townsville in the final game of the regular season at the Bendigo Stadium.