More TAFE jobs could go
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 | 15-Feb-2012 FIRST FOR NEWS
AT least seven people have lost their jobs at Bendigo TAFE, and more could be on the way as the institution struggles to cope with new State Government policy.
Changes in policy surrounding funding of Advanced Diplomas and Diplomas set up by the former government, and new regulations resulting in the establishment of private courses have impacted the TAFE sector hard.
Acting Bendigo TAFE chief executive officer Maria Simpson confirmed seven jobs, some part and some full time, had been lost in low level business courses and the Front of House hospitality course.
"We have had very little demand on both those courses," she said.
"We are looking to put those courses off campus and online.
"It has affected the jobs of a few people."
Ms Simpson confirmed she was in discussion with unions about other possible restructures.
Australian Education Union Bendigo organiser Michael Claven confirmed to www.bendigoweekly.com.au job losses were on the table.
"We are engaged in intensive discussions with management and our objective is to minimise any potential redundancies," he said.
"It may be at the end of the day there has to be redundancies."
Ms Simpson confirmed an across-the-board restructure was taking place.
"There have been no decisions yet about the new structure.
"There are two other areas that are looking shaky in terms of enrolment numbers."
Ms Simpson said staff would be made fully aware of any future plans.
Mr Claven said government policy was behind the enrolment and funding shortfalls.
"The driving force is the significant downturn in enrolments.
"(That has been caused by) the opening up of TAFE to private providers who can afford to offer courses of arguable value at a significantly reduced cost because they don't have infrastructure costs and may employ teachers of lesser quality.
"Also, there are increased costs being hoisted onto students, making a large number of courses much more expensive.
"All this is a disincentive for students to go to TAFE."
The former Labor Government introduced a new scheme that resulted in students returning to TAFE to undertake a course that was below the level of qualification they already had, even if it was in a different field, losing their government subsidy.
Late last year Bendigo TAFE closed its Castlemaine engineering program and merged it with its Bendigo course.
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.”
