Unsafe trees to come down

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 | 12-Jul-2012

THE City of Greater will remove 11 deteriorating sugar gums in Camp Street, Kangaroo Flat next to to the Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church.

Council Parks and Natural Reserves manager Simon Harrison said the trees need to be removed because they are unsafe due to internal decay which has resulted from pruning works undertaken over many years.

“Over the years the sugar gums have been heavily pruned to maintain clearance from the overhead power lines and this has resulted in structural deficiencies in the growth of their trees limbs," he said.

“The trees are now dropping limbs and this is a great cause of concern because it poses a safety risk to the community."

Mr Harrison said the trees will be replaced with a suitable species of tree that will not grow into the overhead power lines and will not require excessive levels of pruning.

“When we remove the trees we plan to retain sections of the tree limbs and relocate them one of Greater Bendigo’s natural reserves such as Crusoe Reservoir and No 7 Park where they will continue to play a valuable role as a natural habitat for local wildlife," he said.

“Because the trees are largely hollow they will be ideal for this purpose."