Trees take a final bow

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.”

Rosemary Sorensen | Bendigo Weekly | 03-Aug-2012

GOING: The Bunya Pine at Lake Weeroona.

SIGNS are going up on trees around Bendigo ear-marked for removal by the City of Greater Bendigo council.

A big Bunya Pine at Lake Weeroona is among the trees due to be cut down, following the affects of the drought.

“The Parks and Natural Reserves Unit has now commenced signage placement on significant trees to inform our users of their pending removal and to contact us if they have any enquiries,” council Parks and Natural Reserves manager Simon Harrison said.

“We have recently implemented further improvements to our tree maintenance program involving the use of both council team members and contractors to further assist with the management and protection of our trees.”

Mr Harrison said council currently has 300 requests for tree maintenance from residents across Bendigo.

He said a further 800 trees require monitoring for possible maintenance work.

Mr Harrison said the Bunya Pine at Lake Weeroona was damaged during the drought.

“The tree at Lake Weeroona has been identified for removal through our inspection processes where Arboriculture Team Parks from the Natural Reserves Unit undertake prescribed inspections of trees across the municipality.

“Combined with ongoing damage from corellas and other wildlife, and the fact this tree is quite old, this has resulted in its decline and subsequent need for its removal.”