Independent panel backs compact city

An independent panel says it “strongly supports” Greater Bendigo City Council’s plans for a compact city.

The panel’s findings have been publicly released today and are available on the City of Greater Bendigo’s website at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/residentialstrategy

Earlier this year, the independent panel appointed by Planning Panels Victoria held 11 days of hearings into a Planning Scheme Amendment (C215) needed to implement the Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy.

The strategy, which encourages infill development within the existing urban growth boundary, was adopted by the Council in October 2014.

City Planning and Development Director, Prue Mansfield, said releasing the findings was another step in a lengthy process.

“The Council will consider the panel’s recommendations and will determine its position early in 2016. After that, the Minister for Planning will make a final decision on whether or not to accept the Planning Scheme Amendment,” Ms Mansfield said.

She welcomed the panel’s support for a compact city, saying the model is designed to limit urban sprawl and encourage the development of ‘10-minute neighbourhoods’, where residents can access most of their daily needs such as employment, shops and schools.

The panel report states: “The panel strongly supports the (strategy’s) compact city model and notes the comprehensive background work that has gone into its preparation.”

The panel also finds the urban growth boundary might need to be expanded in the next 10 to 20 years to enable more flexibility to deal with either continuing high levels of demand, or bottlenecks in supply due to slowing rates of development within existing residential areas.

It has identified parcels of land where this might occur as being Balgownie Estate, Hermitage Rd, Maiden Gully and Cherry Tree Lane, Kangaroo Flat.

The panel states it is impressed by the willingness of Council and the Bendigo planning and development community to work together on these issues and this collaborative approach is to be commended.

For more information visit City of Greater Bendigo