Plans made public – City of Greater Bendigo Council Briefs

FOUR documents designed to assist the municipality with decision making will be released in draft form for public viewing.

The draft council plan 2021-2025, 10-year financial plan, health and wellbeing plan 2021-2025, and climate change and environment strategy were all unanimously passed at the City of Greater Bendigo’s ordinary council meeting on Monday, 16 August.

The new council plan has been dual named as Mir wimbul, the Dja Dja Wurrung word for community protocol and outlines goals for the next four years as well as featuring a community vision and values decided by a panel of 65 residents.

Meanwhile the 10-year financial plan outlines considerations for investment, with estimated figures based off this year’s budget and indicates major projects for the next decade while incorporating a zero carbon emissions by 2030 target.

The health and wellbeing plan includes five outcomes, designed to make Greater Bendigo healthy and well, safe and secure, able to participate, connected to culture and community, and liveable.

Finally, the climate and environment strategy involves five flagship projects, focusing on reimagining Bendigo Creek, healing country with Aboriginal communities, prioritising climate action and showcasing sustainable developments.

All four plans are available for viewing at letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au until 6 September.

 

Mannes Lane not priority

Council has voted not to immediately seal Mannes Lane at Axe Creek.

A petition containing 111 signatures requested the work for approximately 3.2 kilometres of unsealed road a priority.

In response to the petition, a road safety audit was conducted which recommended low-cost safety improvements including installing and upgrading signage.

Roads are sealed based on a rolling construction program, which features 470 projects valued at $335 million.

Mannes Lane is currently ranked as project number 90 on that list, and all councillors agreed it is a matter of when, not if, the road is sealed.

 

Smooth sailing for centre

Changes to the planning scheme have been made to rezone 1.9 hectares of land from general residential to commercial one zone to allow for the development of the neighbourhood activity centre in Maiden Gully.

The amendment is designed to reduce the need for planning applications on the land and make development decisions simpler.

According to a municipal report the activity centre will be a “vibrant local village centre with a focal point of a community centre, retail and medium density residential development adjoining active open space.”

Councillors agreed the development will aid the growth of the Maiden Gully area.

 

House approved on farm zone

Councillors approved an alternate motion to grant a permit for a house to be built on farming land at Lot 1 Station Road at Bagshot.

Cr David Fagg said the applicant provided a detailed farm plan; however he was not convinced a dwelling is necessary on the property.

Dwellings in farming zones are generally discouraged by the current councillor group as there’s a belief they can fragment farming land.

The land in question consists of two 13-hectare paddocks with 135 ewes on the property and 70 lambing.

Cr Vaughan Williams said building a home on the property would allow for the property owners to maintain the welfare of their livestock.

“The intention is to expand their farming operations, they’ve started off small not over-committing themselves,” he said.

“They’re not out there growing wheat, they’re actually looking after livestock and proximity to that livestock is actually very important.”

Crs Fagg, Julie Sloan and Margaret O’Rourke voted against the alternate motion.

 

Breeder knocked back

A horse husbandry and dog breeding facility will not be built at Derrinal, after council voted in favour of an alternate motion.

The application proposed constructing a single-dwelling, horse training area and stables and third building for dog breeding and training.

Cr Fagg said while the application was a rare one for council to discuss and there was nothing in the planning scheme, under the relevant rural conservation zone, to suggest a permit should not be granted.

He said the applicant had taken the necessary steps to ensure the proposal was consistent with the scheme, including providing a noise impact assessment and any concerns of the dog breeding facility being an outlawed puppy farm would be covered by State Government legislation.

Cr Sloan opposed the application and said proposals in the rural conservation zone should protect and enhance the natural environment and was not convinced the application was suitable for the area.

The proposal would see a maximum of 50 dogs and 30 horses to be on site at any time, with noise concerns and wastewater issues cited by Cr Sloan and Cr Greg Penna.

Cr O’Rourke and Cr Fagg voted in favour of the proposal and Cr Fagg said the “vague” alternate motion would result in “making life difficult” for municipal staff if the applicant appeals the decision at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

 

Modern meets heritage

Four contemporary style dwellings will be built at 149 Williamson Street.

Council voted in favour of subdividing the land for the development to be constructed.

Two of the homes will have three levels with underground parking, three bedrooms, an ensuite and bathroom, with an extra bathroom in one dwelling.

The other homes will have two levels with two bedrooms, an ensuite and a main bathroom.

Cr Penna said he supports the application and while the development will be in a large heritage precinct it will add to the neighbourhood character.

Cr O’Rourke agreed and said the new building would help manage growth of the region and provide “inner city living” in a modern, contemporary style.

 

Changes to committees

New members have been appointed to the disability inclusion reference committee.

The DIRC has had 12 vacant positions filled for eight community representatives and four representatives from a disability agency or network.

The committee meets bi-monthly and provides general advice supporting inclusion of people with a disability and their families in the City’s planning,

Councillors voted to open expressions of interest for the new heritage advisory committee.

According to the report, and it has been difficult to “obtain the quorum of five members” for meetings and three members have recently resigned.

The purpose of the committee is to assist council with decisions relating to the natural, Aboriginal and cultural heritage of the City.