SPORTS SHORTS

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 | 08-Apr-2011 12.36

WOMEN CLOSE
IT was almost the Cinderella start for the Bendigo Thunder in its debut Victorian Women’s Football League match on
the weekend.
The side went down to La Trobe University by four points at Kangaroo Flat’s Dower Park on Sunday, after a spirited fightback.
Trailing at every break, the Thunder kicked 3.1 to one goal in the final term to fall
just short.
Brea Hards, Elizabeth Waters, Emma Wolters, Jessica Kennedy, Emma Grant and Angela Foley were best on ground for the Thunder.
Wolters kicked three goals for the Thunder with Grant and Tameeka Morrissey both kicking two.
La Trobe 4.4, 4.7, 6.10, 7.10 (52)
Bendigo 1.1, 3.5, 4.5, 7.6 (48)

CARS ARE BACK
THE Bendigo Car Club will conduct its first event for 2011 with round one of its club championship at Bagshot
on Sunday.
Heavy rains of the summer damaged the Bagshot Motorsports Complex on Wirikie Rd, but after a major working bee and the dedication of a few volunteers the complex is ready for use.
Sunday’s event is a combined Khanacross and Motor-khana with competitors from 12 years old able to compete.
Event registration and vehicle scrutineering is from 8am.Competition starts at 10am.
More information can be found at www.bendigocarclub.com.au or enquiries@bendigocarclub.com.au or phone 0427 511158.

BOMBERS MISFIRE
THE Bendigo Bombers kicked off their 2011 VFL campaign away to last year’s grand finalists, the Northern Bullants, and fell well short of the mark.
The Bullants ran rampant on the scoreboard, especially after half time, to win by
76 points.
With the in-form Tom Bellchambers and Kyle Reimers missing through Essendon duties, Bendigo struggled in the midfield duels and lacked flair and polish around the ground.
That said, the scoreline of 19.11 to 6.13 was built on failures of game plan and structure as much as superiority
of players.
In what may prove to be an early sample of the increasingly tactical plans that are seeping into VFL football, the Bombers attempted to implement a forward press along the same lines as Collingwood and Essendon at AFL level.
Unfortunately, it is often a case of an ineffective zone being worse than no zone at all and thus it proved with Bullant players consistently able to get goal-side of the defenders through contested possession dominance, hard running and generally cleaner skills.
The Bombers take on reigning premiers North Ballarat at Ballarat on Saturday.

BRAVES START WELL
BOTH the Braves and Lady Braves had a strong start to the SEABL basketball season on Saturday night.
The two sides travelled to the Geelong Arena to take on the Geelong Supercats in the season opener.
The Lady Braves won comfortably 43 to 68, with the scoring being shared around.
Kelly Wilson 13, Toni
Edmonson and Kelly Wilson scored 14 points, and
Kelly Wilson and Ashley Gilmore 13.
The men had a stirring
start to the season in the following match, beating the reigning premiers the Supercats 86 to 80.
They, too, shared the scoring around with Kevin Probert and Luke Meyer dropping 20 points, Adam Tanner 19, and Ivan McFarlin 14.
The Bendigo Braves will face Mount Gambier at 7.30pm tonight at the Bendigo Stadium. The Lady Braves have a bye this weekend.

MOAMA MAGIC
MOAMA defeated Eaglehawk in the Bendigo District Table Tennis Association A Grade Grand Final on Wednesday night with a 6-3 victory.
Reversing their 6-5 second semi-final loss to Eaglehawk, the doubles proved to be the difference.
The ever consistent Des Knight won three singles rubbers and combined with Gary Warnest and Andrew Perryman to win both doubles matches for Moama.
In B Grade Golden Square defeated Strathfieldsaye in a nail biter while Bendigo overcame Flora Hill in the C Grade fixture.
Entries are now open for winter pennant season. Contact Gary on 5446 3171.