Theatre green light
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 | 13-Sep-2012
THE City of Greater Bendigo has issued a planning permit for the construction of a new $25.8 million, 1,000 seat community theatre at the historic Bendigo Gaol site.
Planned Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal objections to the project didn't eventuate, allowing council to proceed.
Mayor Alec Sandner said the granting of the planning permit is fantastic news for the community theatre project.
“While the project had received some objections these have been dealt with in the planning permit conditions," he said.
“We have received notification from VCAT that no requests for a hearing on the project were made in relation to the project, which is great news.
“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 next stage is the completion of the detailed designs and contract documentation to enable the Victorian Education Department, in association with the City of Greater Bendigo, to put the project out to tender and this is expected to happen before the end of the year.
“It is expected that construction will be underway in early 2013 for completion in 2014."
The project features a 1,000 seat, two-tier theatre complete with a large stage, fly tower and dressing rooms along with music, dance and drama studio spaces, general learning areas and a commercial learning kitchen.
The design includes an entry to the building through the former ‘Marong Cell Block’ which housed the original gallows. A silhouette of the original prison chapel is also a design highlight.
The $25.8 M project is being funded by a $12.3M contribution from the Australian Government’s Regional Development Australia Fund, $8M (this figure includes additional refurbishment and demolition works) from the State Government’s Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, $3M from City of Greater Bendigo; and $3M from the State Government’s Regional Development Victoria – Regional Growth Fund.
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.”
and the damage it will do to Bendigo ratepayers with its indefinite financial legacy of debt.