A NEW residential hotel has been approved for the corner of Williamson and Mollison streets, next to the heritage site of Bush\u2019s Produce Stores.<\/p>\n
Approval has been given by Heritage Victoria for the hotel, however with the condition that the buildings maximum height be changed from the proposed 23.15 to 12 metres, to not overshadow the nearby buildings.<\/p>\n
Cr Margaret O\u2019Rourke voted in favour of the development, saying it is a positive sign for growth in the region.<\/p>\n
However, Cr David Fagg said the conditions for the hotel to be built, including dramatically adjusting the building\u2019s height and constructing an underground carpark are worrying.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m concerned excavation works for the two-storey underground carpark could disturb heritage buildings,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Cr Fagg also wanted to see more done to satisfy the conditions around building near heritage sites.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an odd approval where the approval requires that the height be almost halved,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The motion to grant a permit passed, with deputy-mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf, and Crs Fagg and Vaughan Williams opposed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Roof for beef<\/strong><\/p>\n A review is underway at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange that could potentially see a new roof installed.<\/p>\n Council will consider the feasibility and cost of the roof over the next 12 months.<\/p>\n Cr Andrea Metcalf said she would greatly support the project, citing the environmental benefits of captured rainfall and implementation of solar panels.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe this needs to be one of the major projects for this council,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Cr Julie Sloan also supported the potential roof and said a similar project at the Horsham Livestock Exchange has been successful in reducing temperature in summer conditions.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a great scope and potential to enhance the capacity of the Bendigo Livestock Exchange not only for the livestock animals and their welfare but also for the facility users and staff,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n No new 7-11, for now<\/strong><\/p>\n Council rejected a proposal for a permit to build a service station on the corner of Bridge and Arnold streets.<\/p>\n The plan was for a site that had previously been marked for development as part of the Bridge Street Activity Area and Bendigo Hospital Precinct Plan.<\/p>\n Cr Metcalf said there are five landmark sites listed as part of the precinct plan.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s envisaged that these landmark sites will be prominent and provide a point of difference in the precinct,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to see how this applicant has considered the Hospital Precinct Plan.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Fagg agreed and said a lot of work has gone into council\u2019s planning, and \u201cthe project contravenes the strategic work.\u201d<\/p>\n The applicant has appealed to VCAT with a hearing to take place in August, and the motion to not grant a permit was unanimously carried.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Friendship group goes it alone<\/strong><\/p>\n The Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee will become independent to council, after the approval of a one-off grant to support the group.<\/p>\n BMFC works closely with the people of Maubisse in Timor Leste providing support and friendship to assist in developing region.<\/p>\n \u201cNow more than ever they need our support as they face the increasing impact of the recent floods and the second wave of the pandemic,\u201d said Cr Margaret O\u2019Rourke.<\/p>\n Cr Metcalf voiced her concern at a one-off grant and said a better course of action would be for BMFC to apply for a budgeted community grant, which they requested last year.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s the appropriate forum for this request,\u201d she said. \u201cHowever, upon reviewing this request council officers made the recommendation for the one off $25,000 grant for the 2021\/22 financial year.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr O\u2019Rourke said the grant should be considered an emergency grant, which would not have the same process as community grants.<\/p>\n The move to separate the group from municipality comes after State Government legislation pushing that subdivisions of a council must become independent entities.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Funds plated up<\/strong><\/p>\n Bendigo Foodshare will receive reallocated funding from the City for the development of its new site.<\/p>\n Originally, $140,000 was delegated for Foodshare\u2019s FoodHub at Belle Vue in Golden Square, but that will now go towards the new main site on Garsed Street.<\/p>\n \u201cBendigo Foodshare will continue to play a key role in coordinating food relief across the region, promoting healthy eating and raising awareness of the needs of our region,\u201d Cr Fagg said.<\/p>\n \u201cFoodshare\u2019s current tiny factory space has been around the corner of my residence in Long Gully for many years and it\u2019s been too small for most of that time.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Matthew Evans agreed the reallocation of funding will assist Foodshare in their work to provide food relief across the region.<\/p>\n \u201cThe move will allow them to double their capacity, provide cold and cool storage for food where appropriate, and operate a social supermarket,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n