Call project in: Gibbons
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 | 17-Sep-2012 Theatre drama continues
Federal Member for Bendigo Steve Gibbons has demanded the State Government intervene in the VCAT appeal against the $26 million theatre development in the old gaol.
The Bendigo Weekly revealed yesterday former mayor Darryl McClure and others had lodged an appeal against the development, despite VCAT earlier telling council no appeal had been lodged.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK OF BENDIGO COUNCIL
Mr Gibbons said an appeal "lodged by just one protester" could increase the cost of the development by around $1 million dollars.
Mr Gibbons said the appeal process had been comprehensively botched by VCAT and he urged the government to issue the appropriate permits immediately.
“This is a ridiculous situation where the City of Greater Bendigo and the Bendigo Senior Secondary College had fulfilled all the necessary requirements and were informed that there was no appeal lodged within the prescribed time," he said.
“Now they have been informed that there is just one objection by just one individual.
“It would be incomprehensible that just one objection could add another million dollars to the project which is strongly supported by both state and federal governments.
“Surely common sense should prevail with the State Government issuing the appropriate permits immediately."
TAKE THE BENDIGO COUNCIL SURVEY
EARLIER
VICTORIA'S planning tribunal has been blamed for an embarrassing mistake surrounding plans for a $26 million theatre in Bendigo's former gaol.
Last Thursday, the City of Greater Bendigo council released a statement saying the project had received the green light.
Mayor Alec Sandner said no appeal had been lodged against
the plan at the state's planning tribunal, despite five objections to
it.
“We have received notification from the Victorian Civil
Administrative Tribunal that no requests for a hearing on the project
were made in relation to the project, which is great news," he said.
“This is an extremely important and exciting project for Greater Bendigo
and I am pleased that the issuing of the planning permit now provides a
green light for the project to move to its next stage."
However, VCAT today told the Bendigo Weekly an appeal was lodged on September 10, last Monday.
Council chief executive officer Craig Niemann said the error was made at VCAT.
"We did get written advice on Wednesday afternoon there was no appeal lodged," he said.
"We acted on that and issued a permit.
"We were pleased with that outcome and we produced a press release."
Mr Niemann said he had since been notified there was an appeal.
"We have been notified by VCAT thay have made an error," he said.
"They have received an appeal and we have been notified of that by VCAT.
"We have to wait to hear whether that is a valid appeal or not.
"The council is extremely disappointed by this error by VCAT and is asking them, as a matter of urgency, to explain how they intend to deal with the matter given the uncertainty they have created for both the applicant and objector.”
Mr Niemann said the timing of the lodging of the appeal may lead to questions whether or not it was valid.
"We are waiting for that next bit of advice," he said.
EARLIER
THE City of Greater Bendigo has been embarrassed about its $26 million theatre in the former gaol.
Last Thursday, the council released a statement saying the project had received the green light.
Mayor Alec Sandner said no appeal had been lodged against the plan at the state's planning tribunal, despite five objections to it.
“We have received notification from the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal that no requests for a hearing on the project were made in relation to the project, which is great news," he said.
“This is an extremely important and exciting project for Greater Bendigo and I am pleased that the issuing of the planning permit now provides a green light for the project to move to its next stage."
The Weekly understands the council, and co developer the Department of Education, have received the development permit.
However, an appeal was lodged on or before September 10, which was last Monday, contradicting Cr Sandner's statement.
Former mayor Darryl McClure and others are behind the appeal.
More to come.
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.”
their own way. For heavens sake, shape up boys and girls or move over and give someone else - with sense - a go!