Council Agenda 24 January 2018

AGENDA
Ordinary Meeting of Council
6.00pm Wednesday 24 January 2018
*** Broadcast live on Phoenix FM 106.7 ***
VENUE:
Reception Room,
Bendigo Town Hall,
Hargreaves Street, Bendigo
NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday 21 February 2018
Bendigo Town Hall
Copies of the City of Greater Bendigo Council’s Agendas & Minutes

can be obtained online at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au
PAGE 1
This Council Meeting is conducted in accordance with Local Law No. 8. It is an offence for any
person to engage in improper or disorderly conduct at the meeting.
Council Vision
Greater Bendigo - creating the world's most liveable community.
Council Values
Six values inform everything we as Council do in working together to be the best we can
for all of our community.
Seeking to achieve the best value for our use of the community’s public funds and
resources, by:
• We Lead;
• We Learn;
• We Contribute;
• We Care;
• We Respond;
• We Respect.
Goals
• Presentation and Managing Growth

• Wellbeing and Fairness
• Strengthening the Economy
• Environmental Sustainability
• Embracing our Culture and Heritage
• Lead and Govern for All
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ORDINARY MEETING
WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2018
ORDER OF BUSINESS:
ITEM PRECIS PAGE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY 5
PRAYER 5
PRESENT 5
APOLOGIES 5
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 5
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 5
RESUMPTION OF STANDING ORDERS 6
CR FYFFE'S REPORT 6
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST 6
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 8
1. PETITIONS AND JOINT LETTERS 9
1.1 PETITION: REQUEST FOR STREET LIGHT AT DEEP 9

LEAD ROAD AND TELEGRAPH WAY, HUNTLY
1.2 RESPONSE TO PETITION: TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE AT 10

INTERSECTION OF GLADEVILLE DRIVE AND HOWARD
STREET, EAGLEHAWK
2. PRESENTATION AND MANAGING GROWTH 14
2.1 5 HAKEA ROAD, HUNTLY 3551 - USE AND 14

DEVELOPMENT OF LAND FOR TWO DWELLINGS
2.2 82 NEALE STREET, KENNINGTON 3550 - DEMOLITION 21

OF EXISTING DWELLING AND SHED; CONSTRUCTION OF
NEW DWELLING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
2.3 12 MAYNARD DRIVE, EPSOM 3551 - AMENDMENT TO AN 30

EXISTING PLANNING PERMIT (CONSTRUCTION OF 2
SHEDS WITH ASSOCIATED OFFICES) TO ALLOW THE
REMOVAL OF A TREE
2.4 GREATER BENDIGO PUBLIC TOILET STRATEGY 39
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3. WELLBEING AND FAIRNESS 51
3.1 DESIGNATION OF NEW BUSHFIRE PLACE OF LAST 51

RESORT - NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER PLACE - AXEDALE
3.2 IRONBARK GULLY PUBLIC SPACE CORRIDOR 56
3.3 LOCAL LAW REVIEW 65
4. STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY 72
4.1 GREATER BENDIGO HOUSING STRATEGY 72

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
5. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 94
5.1 HUNTLY AND CROSBIE PLANTATIONS - FARM 94

FORESTRY FUTURE DIRECTIONS
6. EMBRACING OUR CULTURE AND HERITAGE 106
6.1 GREATER BENDIGO HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 106

TERMS OF REFERENCE
7. LEAD AND GOVERN FOR ALL 110
7.1 ADOPTION OF PLAN GREATER BENDIGO 110
7.2 PRICING POLICY 119
7.3 WASTE CHARGES POLICY 130
7.4 RECORD OF ASSEMBLIES 139
8. URGENT BUSINESS 145
9. NOTICES OF MOTION 145
10. COUNCILLORS' REPORTS 145
11. MAYOR'S REPORT 145
12. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT 145
13. CONFIDENTIAL (SECTION 89) REPORTS 145
____________________________
CRAIG NIEMANN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PAGE 4
Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
PRAYER
PRESENT
APOLOGIES
Cr Matt Emond
Cr Julie Hoskin
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS
That Standing Orders be suspended to allow the conduct of Public Question Time.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Public Question Time – Purpose

Council has provided the opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of broad
interest to Council and the community. Matters relating to routine Council works should
be taken up with Council’s Customer Service Officers through its Customer Request
System.
By the time planning matters have reached the council agenda, they have been through
an extensive process as required by the Planning and Environment Act. In addition, in
most instances mediation has been held between the parties involved. Throughout the
process there are many opportunities for the people to ask questions. Therefore, no
questions relating to planning matters on the Agenda will be accepted.
Public Question Time – Where, When And Who

The public question time is held at every Ordinary Meeting of Greater Bendigo City
Council. Meetings of Council commence at 6.00pm in the Reception Room, Bendigo
Town Hall, Hargreaves Street, Bendigo.
The public question time is held at the start of the meeting as close as practical to
6:00pm. A maximum of 30 minutes has been provided for registered and unregistered
questions.
Residents are encouraged to lodge questions in advance so that a more complete

response can be provided.
Questions will be put to the Council by the individual posing the question; the question
will be answered by the Mayor or CEO, or where appropriate, Councillors or Council
Officers.
PAGE 5
Acceptance of Questions
Each person asking a question of Council is required to stand, state their name, and
address the Mayor. Public Question Time is not an opportunity for making of statements
or other comments. Council’s Meeting Procedure Local Law does not allow for other
questions or comments during the remainder of the meeting.
1. An individual may only ask one question per meeting, a follow-up question may be
permitted at the discretion of the Mayor.
2. In the event that the same or similar question is raised by more than one person,
an answer may be given as a combined response.
3. In the event that time does not permit all questions registered to be answered,
questions will be answered in writing or referred to the next meeting if appropriate.
4. The Mayor and or CEO have the right to decline registration on basis of:
• Legal proceedings;
• More appropriately addressed by other means;
• Vague or lacking in substance, irrelevant, frivolous, insulting offensive,
improper, defamatory or demeaning;
• Answer likely to compromise his / her position;
• Confidential, commercial-in-confidence.
5. Each individual whose registration form has been accepted or declined will be
advised by the Friday of the week prior to the scheduled meeting.
6. In the event of a registration form being declined the registration form will be
circulated to the Mayor or Councillors for information.
RESUMPTION OF STANDING ORDERS
That Standing Orders be resumed.
CR FYFFE'S REPORT
DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Pursuant to Sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Local Government Act 1989 (as
amended) direct and indirect conflict of interest must be declared prior to debate
on specific items within the agenda; or in writing to the Chief Executive Officer
before the meeting. Declaration of indirect interests must also include the
classification of the interest (in circumstances where a Councillor has made a
Declaration in writing, the classification of the interest must still be declared at the
meeting), i.e.
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(a) direct financial interest

(b) indirect interest by close association
(c) indirect interest that is an indirect financial interest
(d) indirect interest because of conflicting duties
(e) indirect interest because of receipt of an applicable gift
(f) indirect interest as a consequence of becoming an interested party
(g) indirect interest as a result of impact on residential amenity
(h) conflicting personal interest
A Councillor who has declared a conflict of interest, must leave the meeting and
remain outside the room while the matter is being considered, or any vote is taken.
Councillors are also encouraged to declare circumstances where there may be a

perceived conflict of interest.
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CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of 13 December 2017.
The following items were considered at the Ordinary Council Meeting held on
Wednesday 13 December 2017 at 6:00pm.
• Petition: Request for School Crossing Supervisor for Epsom Primary School
• Application for a Development Plan and Planning Permit at 11 and 21 Taylors Lane,
Strathfieldsaye
• Planning Scheme Amendment C236 - Apply the Public Acquisition Overlay to Part of
264 High Street, Kangaroo Flat - Consider Authorisation Request
• 46-50 and 54-56 High Street, 65 Short Street and 80 Wattle Street, Bendigo - Aspire
Precinct
• 1 Averys Road, Eaglehawk - Buildings and Works for a Telecommunication Facility
(35 Metre Pole; and Associated Equipment in Bollarded Compound)
• 330 and 338 Olympic Parade, Maiden Gully - 2 Lot Subdivision
• Youth Strategy
• Summer Preparedness Integrated Emergency Management Planning Committee
• Renaming of Bendigo Aquatic Centre
• Greater Bendigo Environment Strategy Action Plan
• Gasworks Site Contamination and Future Use
• Record of Assemblies
• Contracts Awarded Under Delegation
• Quarterly Report - Community Plan
• Financial Management Report as at 30 September 2017
• Appointment of Chief Executive Officer
• Confidential Section 89 Report (Personnel and Contractual Matter)
The unconfirmed minutes have also been posted on the City of Greater Bendigo website
pending confirmation at this meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Council held on Wednesday 13 December
2017, as circulated, be taken as read and confirmed.
PAGE 8
Petitions and Joint Letters Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
1. PETITIONS AND JOINT LETTERS
1.1 PETITION: REQUEST FOR STREET LIGHT AT DEEP LEAD ROAD

AND TELEGRAPH WAY, HUNTLY
[Petitions and joint letters with ten (10) or more signatures are included in the agenda or
tabled at the meeting, unless there is a separate legal process for considering the
petition or joint letter, as there is for planning submissions or submissions following
public notices (Section 223 LGA)].
A petition has been received from residents in the vicinity of Deep Lead Road and
Telegraph Way, Huntly, as outlined below:
"We the undersigned request that Greater Bendigo City Council install a street light
at the corner of Deep Lead Road and Telegraph Way Huntly".
Signatures - 21
Officer comment:
Powercor have been requested to provide a quote to install a pole and light, with an
underground power connection on the corner of Deep Lead Rd and Telegraph Way.
This will then be assessed to see if the cost is justified.
RECOMMENDATION
That the petition be received and response be prepared within two (2) meetings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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1.2 RESPONSE TO PETITION: TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE AT

INTERSECTION OF GLADEVILLE DRIVE AND HOWARD STREET,
EAGLEHAWK
Document Information
Author Andrew Smith, Transportation Engineer
Responsible Debbie Wood, Director Presentation and Assets

Director
Purpose
This report responds to the petition presented to Council on 15 November 2017 from
residents requesting Council make the intersection of Gladeville Drive and Howard
Street, Eaglehawk safer for residents and visitors.
Summary
A petition was received from residents in the vicinity of the intersection of Gladeville
Drive and Howard Street, Eaglehawk.
The petition draws to the attention of Council the restricted sight distance at the
intersection due to proposed fencing.
On review of the intersection it was noted that the giveway line was painted
approximately 1.0m behind its correct location. A works request has been created to
relocate the giveway line to the correct location.
The sight distance now meets the requirements from the relevant standard, with the
fence to be erected on the new boundary line.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council:
1. Endorse the relocation of the giveway line.
2. Notify the petitioners of the action.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Policy Context
Community Plan Reference:
City of Greater Bendigo Community Plan 2017-2021:

Goal 2 Wellbeing and fairness
Objective 2.5 Create safe and resilient communities
Background Information
At the meeting on the 15 November 2017 a petition was presented to Council from
residents in the vicinity of the intersection of Gladeville Drive and Howard Street,
Eaglehawk, as outlined below:
"We the undersigned residents and ratepayers of Greater Bendigo City Council
formally request Council to make the intersection of Gladeville Dr, Eaglehawk and
Howard St, Eaglehawk safer for residents and visitors to our street. With the
introduction of the additional houses into our street, it has created a safety issue for
vehicles wishing to exit onto Howard street due to the obstructed view (in the
direction of Epsom) from the temporary fencing that has been erected for the
construction of a house on the corner of Howard Street and Gladeville Drive. The
fencing, at the moment, is temporary fencing from Cavalier Homes in Bendigo. Of
which, many residents have complained to the [Director of Cavalier Homes] who
has personally visited the site and had the fence moved back off the side of the
footpath to allow better vision of the intersection. However, [the Director] has
instructed us that there will be a permanent fence placed where the temporary
fence is on the corner of the intersection which is most likely going to impede the
vision of people leaving Gladeville Drive. The intersection needs to be reevaluated
for safety as prior to the temporary fencing being moved back on Monday the 23rd
October, there were almost 3 accidents in the morning alone, due to the impaired
visibility of the traffic travelling from the direction of Epsom.
Our suggestion is a mirror to allow us vision of the traffic of which the fence would
be obstruction the road to Epsom. Or, possibly, a roundabout in the future in order
to reduce the constant danger from speeding vehicles along Howard street making
the intersection ever more dangerous with the reduced vision. As we are unable to
see the effect on the ability to navigate the intersection safely with a mirror or
roundabout, we do not know if these are the best or most viable option and wish the
council to investigate hastily before there is serious accident".
Signatures - 32
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Previous Council Decision(s) Date(s):
That the petition be received and a response be prepared within two (2) meetings.
Report
As part of the subdivision process, it was recognised that the original title boundary
needed to be moved so that Safe Intersection Sight Distance (SISD) could be achieved.
For this reason, a splay was required from the subdividers that was 2.2m deep at the
rear of 43 Gladeville Drive. The splay is 2.2m behind where the footpath has been
constructed. The achievable SISD will be well above the legal requirement of 123m. The
requirement for a stop sign is that the sight distance is less than 40m.
The location of the fence has been discussed with the builders, confirming that the title
boundary is 2.2m behind where the footpath is constructed. Originally the temporary
fencing was along the footpath and has now been relocated back to the property
boundary. They plan to erect the permanent fencing in late January.
PAGE 12
The land coloured blue in the plan above has been acquired as road reserve. There will
be no fence in this section.
The red line is the location of the new giveway line. By moving the giveway line out by
1.0m so it lines up with the face of kerb of Howard Street, it allows vehicles to pull out
further into the intersection, therefore allowing them to see further down the road.
The yellow line is the new sight line from a vehicle at the new giveway line.
Consultation/Communication
Nil
Resource Implications
The linemarking can be carried out within the existing maintenance budget.
Attachments
Nil
PAGE 13
Presentation and Managing Growth - Reports Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
2. PRESENTATION AND MANAGING GROWTH
2.1 5 HAKEA ROAD, HUNTLY 3551 - USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF

LAND FOR TWO DWELLINGS
Author Beth Lavery, Planner
Responsible Bernie O’Sullivan, Director Strategy and Growth

Director
Summary/Purpose
Application details: Use and development of land for two dwellings

Application No: DR/481/2017
Applicant: Sandhurst Housing & Design
Land: 5 Hakea Road, HUNTLY 3551
Zoning: Low Density Residential Zone
Overlays: Development Plan Overlay 4
No. of objections: 3
Consultation 19 October 2017
meeting:
Key considerations: • Consistency with the existing pattern of development in the
area, including density and setbacks
• Consistency with the purpose and objectives of the Low
Density Residential Zone
• Consistency with the objectives of the Huntly Township
Residential Character Policy
Conclusion: It is recommended that Council refuse to grant a planning permit
as the proposal is inconsistent with the existing neighbourhood
character of the area, and the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme.
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RECOMMENDATION
Pursuant to section 61 of the Planning and Environment Act (1987), Greater Bendigo
City Council resolve to issue a Notice of Refusal to grant a permit for use and
development of land for two dwellings at 5 Hakea Road, HUNTLY 3551 for the following
reasons:
1. The use and development of the land for two dwellings is inconsistent with the
existing pattern of development and the Huntly Township Residential Character
Policy in terms of density, setbacks and maintaining the bushland setting of the
area.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context
City of Greater Bendigo Community Plan 2017 – 2021

Goal 4: Presentation and managing growth
• Planning, developments and infrastructure that increase our liveability and pride in
where we live.
Goal 6: Embracing our culture and heritage
• Recognise and celebrate our unique history and diverse cultures.
Report
Subject Site and Surrounds
The subject land is a 2510m2 rectangular allotment, located on the corner of Hakea Road
and Tecoma Court in Huntly, containing a single dwelling which has been recently
demolished. The area to the immediate north of Hakea Road is characterised by large
allotments with single dwellings and large setbacks from the road, giving the area a
distinct semi-rural residential feel. The Low Density Residential zoning of the land
reflects this pattern of development. Land to the south of Hakea Street is zoned General
Residential Zone, and has been developed as such with ‘typical’ residential allotments,
with development of new dwellings beginning to occur. The Midland Highway is located
~115m north west of the site.
PAGE 15
Figure 1: Location map showing subject site. Objector’s properties marked with a star.
Proposal
The application proposes the construction of two dwellings on the land. Both dwellings
would be oriented towards Hakea Road, with a 6 metre setback from the road. This
layout leaves a large amount of open space to the rear of each dwelling on the allotment.
Figure 2: Site plan showing existing conditions.
PAGE 16
Figure 3: Proposed site plan.
Planning Controls - Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme
The following clauses are relevant in the consideration of this proposal:
State Planning Policy Framework

• 11.02 – Urban growth
• 11.07 – Regional planning
• 16.01 – Residential development
Municipal Strategic Statement

• 21.02-1 – Compact Greater Bendigo
• 21.05-4 – Housing density and diversity
Local Planning Policies

• 21.05 – Compact Greater Bendigo
• 22.17 - Huntly Township Residential Character Policy
Other Provisions
• 32.03 – Low Density Residential Zone
Referrals
The following authorities and internal departments have been consulted on the proposal:
PAGE 17
Referral Comment
Health No objection subject to conditions
Traffic & Design No objection subject to conditions
Drainage No objection subject to conditions
Public Notification
The application was advertised by way of notice on the site and letters to adjoining and
nearby owners and occupiers.
As a result of advertising, 3 objections were received, with the grounds of objection

being:
• Inconsistency with the existing pattern of development, including density and
setbacks
• Inconsistency with the existing neighbourhood character of the area
• Impact on property values
• Parking concerns
The objections are discussed in the body of this report.
Planning Assessment
Is the proposed development an appropriate response to the site in terms of existing

neighbourhood character?
The Huntly Township Residential Character Policy implements the findings of the City of
Greater Bendigo Northern Corridor and Huntly Local Structure Plan 2005. This plan
identified the key existing characteristics and the desired future character of the
residential areas of Huntly, including elements such as building form, scale, siting,
materials, front fencing and vegetation density.
The subject land forms part of a distinct precinct in Huntly where bushland dominates,
and setbacks from both front and side boundaries are substantial. During the
consultation process for the Huntly Local Structure Plan, residents of the area were
emphatic in their desire for the semi-rural aspect of the locality to remain. As such, land
fitting this profile has been zoned accordingly. Other land suitable for higher density
residential development was also identified during this process, and rezoned accordingly
to allow conventional residential development.
The Huntly Township Residential Character Policy sets out the following objectives for
development within the precinct
• To maintain and strengthen the native and indigenous vegetation dominated

streetscapes
PAGE 18
• To maintain the bushland setting of dwellings

• To ensure that buildings and extensions do not dominate the streetscape and
wider landscape setting
• To use materials and finishes that harmonise with the surrounding vegetation
• To maintain and enhance the continuous flow of vegetation across the
landscape
The proposed development of two dwellings on the site, nearby to the Hakea Road
frontage is not consistent with the existing pattern of development within the immediate
area, and the Huntly Township Residential Character Policy which reinforces the desired
future character for the area. The proposed buildings will dominate the streetscape with
their bulk and absence of generous setback, alongside neighbouring dwellings with
generous setbacks and open (often heavily vegetated) front yards.
Is the proposal consistent with the purpose and objectives of the Low Density Residential
Zone?
The purpose of the Low Density Residential Zone is to provide for low density residential
development. Discretion exists to use a lot for one or two dwellings, subject to standard
requirements requiring availability of services such as water, electricity and wastewater
disposal.
The layout of the proposed dwellings has been designed so as to be consistent with
Rescode requirements, reflected in the dwelling position and setback on the allotments,
with the obvious future intention to subdivide the land at some point in the future, in the
event that the zoning of the site were to change.
While there is discretion to approve two dwellings on the site, due to lot size minimums,
the subject land would be unable to be further subdivided under current zoning. As such,
the development of the dwellings in this format, could be considered premature.
While the land is in close proximity to General Residential Zoned land and the dwellings
have been sited so as to be appropriate in this context, there are no zoning changes for
this area currently proposed. Based on the findings of the City of Greater Bendigo
Northern Corridor and Huntly Local Structure Plan 2005, it is unlikely there will be any
changes of this type any time in the near future. As such, the proposal must be assessed
against the current Low Density Residential Zone objectives and decision guidelines, and
not against the General Residential Zone guidelines, which may or may not apply to the
site at an unspecified point of time in the future. Construction of two dwellings on a low
density residential allotment is not considered an orderly planning outcome for the site.
PAGE 19
Discussion of Objections
Setbacks and consistency with existing neighbourhood character and pattern of

development
As noted above, the proposed setbacks are clearly inconsistent with those of
surrounding dwellings along Hakea Road, as well as the objectives of the Huntly
Township Residential Character Policy which seeks to retain these distinctive setbacks.
In addition, the construction of two dwellings on the land is inconsistent with the
development pattern of this part of Hakea Road and the current and future
neighbourhood character objectives.
Property devaluation
There is established case law that assertions of property devaluation are not valid
planning considerations or grounds of objection which should be given any weight,
except for in exceptional circumstances.
Parking
Adequate parking for two dwellings in accordance with the requirements of the Planning
Scheme would be provided on site.
Conclusion
It is considered that construction of two dwellings on the land is inconsistent with the
existing pattern of development and neighbourhood character, and refusal is
recommended.
Options
Council, acting as the responsible authority for administering the Planning Scheme, may
resolve to: grant a permit, grant a permit with conditions, or refuse to grant a permit.
PAGE 20
2.2 82 NEALE STREET, KENNINGTON 3550 - DEMOLITION OF

EXISTING DWELLING AND SHED; CONSTRUCTION OF NEW
DWELLING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS
Author Beth Lavery, Planner

Director
Summary/Purpose
Application details: Demolition of existing dwelling and shed; Construction of new

dwelling and associated works
Application No: DR/389/2017
Applicant: McCarthy Homes Pty Ltd
Land: 82 Neale Street, KENNINGTON 3550
Zoning: General Residential Zone
Overlays: Neighbourhood Character Overlay 1
No. of objections: No objections were received.
Consultation A consultation meeting was not required.
meeting:
Key considerations: • Whether the proposal is consistent with the objectives of
the Neighbourhood Character Overlay and the Greater
Bendigo Planning Scheme
• Whether the demolition of the existing dwelling will have a
detrimental impact on the neighbourhood character of the
area
• Whether the replacement dwelling will contribute positively
to the streetscape and existing neighbourhood character
Conclusion: Demolition of the dwelling is not supported as it would result in the
loss of an important element which illustrates the historical
development of Neale Street and Bendigo, and which makes a
valuable contribution to the neighbourhood character of the area.
In addition, the proposed replacement dwelling does not
appropriately respect the existing neighbourhood character of the
area in terms of scale and design.
It is recommended that Council refuse to grant a planning permit

as the proposal is inconsistent with the purpose and objectives of
the Neighbourhood Character Overlay.
PAGE 21
RECOMMENDATION
City Council resolve to refuse to Grant a Permit for the demolition of the existing
dwelling and shed, construction of a new dwelling and associated works at 82 Neale
Street, KENNINGTON 3550 on the following grounds:
1. The application is inconsistent with the Strathdale/Kennington Residential

Character Policy ,the Decision Guidelines of the Neighbourhood Character
Overlay and clause 65 of the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context

where we live.
Council records indicate one prior enquiry seeking in principle approval from a heritage
perspective for the demolition of the existing dwelling, along with a previous planning
permit application seeking demolition of the dwelling (which was later withdrawn). On
both occasions it was recommended the dwelling be retained due to its contribution to
the streetscape and to the neighbourhood character of the area.
Report
The subject land is a generally level, rectangular shaped allotment, with a site area of
1012m2, and a 20.12m frontage to Neale Street. An existing crossover accesses the site
from Neale Street.
The site contains a single storey miners style cottage (constructed circa 1895), two
sheds and two non-native trees. The cottage is reasonably intact but in fairly poor
condition. The building is not irreparable however parts of it will need to be rebuilt to be
retained.
PAGE 22
Residential properties surround the site, including a miners style cottage to the south,
Californian Bungalow to the north and a grand face brick house with an individual
Heritage Overlay on the next corner. Neale Street has a range of housing from the 19th to
late 20th Century, with the remaining miners style cottages establishing the beginning of
this architectural time line.
Figure 1: Location map showing subject site.
Proposal
The application proposes the demolition of the miners style cottage and shed, and the
construction of a replacement dwelling and associated works.
The proposed replacement dwelling would be located 5 metres from the Neale Street
boundary, and would comprise 4 bedrooms and be constructed of brick and render, with
a pitched colorbond roof.
Photos of the existing dwelling and proposed dwelling are shown below:
PAGE 23
Figure 2: Photos of the existing dwelling on subject site.
Figure 3: Demolition Plan
Figure 4: Proposed Site Plan
PAGE 24
Figure 5: Proposed Floor Plan
Figure 6: Proposed Elevation Plans
PAGE 25

• Clause 15 Built Environment and Heritage

• Clause 22.24 – Strathdale/Kennington Residential Character Policy
Other Provisions
• Clause 32.08 – General Residential Zone
• Clause 43.05 – Neighbourhood Character Overlay
• Clause 54 – One dwelling on a lot
A planning permit is required to demolish or remove a building, and to construct a

building and carry out works under the provisions of the Neighbourhood Character
Overlay – Schedule 1.
Referrals
The following authorities and internal departments have been consulted on the proposal:
Referral Comment
Heritage Advisor Demolition not supported.
Public Notification
nearby owners and occupiers.
As a result of advertising, no objections were received.
Planning Assessment
The site is affected by the Neighbourhood Character Overlay – Schedule 1 (Bendigo

Early Settlement Residential Character). The areas of Bendigo affected by this Overlay
Schedule all have an existing and preferred character, based on the frequency of pre-
World War 1 and Inter war era buildings. As a collective these buildings contribute to the
broader heritage of Bendigo, and the streetscape patterns and characteristics created by
these buildings are valued by the community.
PAGE 26
The decision guidelines which much be considered before deciding on an application

under this Schedule include an assessment on the extent to which the exterior of any
pre-World War 1 or inter-war era building to be demolished is intact and repairable and
contributes to the preferred neighbourhood character of the area; and the extent to which
any new buildings or works contribute to the preferred neighbourhood character of the
area. These guidelines seek to ensure that preferred neighbourhood character is
maintained and consistent with the City of Greater Bendigo Residential Character Study
2001.
These guidelines lead to the following two questions to be considered – does the existing
dwelling proposed to be demolished make a significant contribution to the neighbourhood
character of the area, and is the proposed replacement dwelling an acceptable response
to the existing neighbourhood character set out in the Residential Character Study?
Does the dwelling proposed to be demolished make a contribution towards the

neighbourhood character of the area?
One of the clear objectives of the Strathdale/Kennington Residential Character Policy is

to retain buildings which contribute to the valued character of the area. The existing
streetscape within Neale Street encompasses a rich diversity of dwelling periods and
styles, beginning chronologically with the miners style cottages of early settlers. The
three miners style cottages within Neale Street stand out because of their diminutive
scale and simple tent like form, which contrasts to the more complex interwar houses
which are the predominant housing style within the street. When an authentic early
settler cottage is replaced with a large modern house, the contrast between the modest
relocatable accommodation of the early miners/settlers, and the large, complex and
firmly established houses of the post mining period is lost forever. The loss of one of
these miners cottage will diminish the streetscape and our understanding of the historical
development of Neale Street and Bendigo.
Is the proposed replacement dwelling an acceptable response to the neighbourhood

character of the area?
Clause 22.24 refers to the Strathdale/Kennington Residential Character (Precinct 1)

Policy which has the principal objectives of ensuring that development is responsive to
the desired future character of the area in which it is located and to retain and enhance
the identified elements that contribute to its character.
The policy sets out how the desired future character is to be achieved by the following
objectives and design responses. The proposed demolition and replacement dwelling
has been assessed against these objectives as follows:
PAGE 27
Objectives Response
To retain buildings that contribute to Retain and restore wherever possible,
the valued character of the area. intact Victorian, Edwardian, Federation
and Interwar era dwellings.
Alterations and extensions should be

appropriate to the dwelling era.
Comment: The Victorian era dwelling to be demolished is in poor repair but is
reasonably intact. The policy is clear in its intention to retain, where possible,
dwellings from this era which provide a valuable contribution to the neighbourhood
character and streetscape values. The demolition of the dwelling will result in the loss
of a dwelling which is of value to the existing streetscape
To maintain and strengthen the garden Prepare a landscape plan to accompany
setting of the dwellings. all applications for new dwellings.
Retain large, established trees and

provide for the planting of new trees
wherever possible.
Comment: It is proposed to remove two established trees to facilitate the construction
of the replacement dwelling. No other landscaping is indicated on the plans.
To maintain the consistency, where The front setback should be not less than
present, of building front setbacks. the average setback of the adjoining
dwellings
Comment: The proposed setback of the replacement dwelling is consistent with
surrounding dwellings.
To maintain the existing rhythm of Buildings should be setback from at least
dwelling spacing. one side boundary by a minimum of 2
metres
Comment: The dwelling would be offset on both boundaries
To minimise the dominance of car storage Locate garages and carports behind the
facilities. line of the dwelling.
Comment: The proposed garage would be located to the rear of the dwelling.
To respect the identified heritage qualities Where the streetscape contains identified
of the streetscape or adjoining buildings. heritage buildings, reflect the dominant
building forms in the street, including roof
forms, in the new building design.
Comment: There is a mix of dwelling styles in the street, with those from the Inter-war
period most dominant. The proposed replacement dwelling exceeds the scale of most
surrounding houses.
To ensure that buildings and extensions Respect the predominant building height
do not dominate the streetscape. in the street and nearby properties.
Where there is a predominance of single

storey, the height of the dwelling at the
front of the dwelling should match the
typical single storey wall height.
Comment: While single storey, the proposed dwelling exceeds the scale of most
surrounding dwellings, particularly the cottage it would replace, and the miners style
cottage next door.
PAGE 28
To use building materials and finishes In streetscapes where weatherboard

that complement the dominant pattern predominates, use timber or other non-
within the streetscape. masonry cladding materials where
possible, and render, bag or paint brick
surfaces.
Comment: The proposed dwelling will be constructed of brick and render. There are a
mix of both brick and weatherboard dwellings within the existing streetscape.
To ensure front fences are appropriate to Provide open style front fencing.
the era of the dwellings and maintain
openness to the streetscape. Front fences should not exceed 1.2
metres other than in exceptional cases.
Comment: No front fence is proposed.
In terms of designing development to respect neighbourhood character, the key is not to

mimic, but to draw on the pattern of the existing streetscape in terms of building scale,
spacing, materials and colours. The proposed replacement design fails to respect these
existing elements in the streetscape along Neale Street, and therefore will not
complement the existing, surrounding dwellings.
Conclusion
It is considered that the existing miners style cottage makes a valuable contribution to
the existing streetscape within Neale Street. Demolition of the dwelling will result in the
loss of an important element which illustrates the development of this area, and Bendigo.
In addition, the proposed replacement dwelling fails to respect the existing
neighbourhood character of the area. Refusal of the application is recommended.
Options
resolve to: grant a permit, grant a permit with conditions, or refuse to grant a permit.
PAGE 29
2.3 12 MAYNARD DRIVE, EPSOM 3551 - AMENDMENT TO AN

EXISTING PLANNING PERMIT (CONSTRUCTION OF 2 SHEDS WITH
ASSOCIATED OFFICES) TO ALLOW THE REMOVAL OF A TREE
Author Adele Hayes, Planner

Director
Summary/Purpose
Application details: Amendment to an existing planning permit (Construction of 2

sheds with associated offices) to allow the removal of a tree
Application No: AM/462/2003/A
Applicant: Maynard Properties Pty Ltd
Land: 12 Maynard Drive, EPSOM 3551
Zoning: Industrial 3 Zone
Overlays: Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
No. of objections: 0
Consultation Not required
meeting:
Key considerations: • Consistency of the amended permit with the relevant State
and local policy, the Industrial 3 Zone and the Decision
Guidelines of Clause 65.
• Whether appropriate justification has been provided to warrant
the removal of the tree.
• Whether the proposal is consistent with the intent of the
existing conditions on the planning permit and the Section 173
Agreement regarding vegetation retention.
Conclusion: The application is inconsistent with the Greater Bendigo Planning
Scheme and the intent of the conditions on the existing planning
permit.
It is recommended that Council refuse to grant an amended

planning permit as the tree removal has not been justified and
does not present an acceptable planning outcome with regards to
the impact on the amenity of the area and the natural
environment.
PAGE 30
RECOMMENDATION
City Council resolve to issue a Notice of Refusal to grant an amended permit for
construction of 2 sheds with associated offices to allow for removal of a tree at 12
Maynard Drive, EPSOM for the following reason:
1. The amended planning permit application is inconsistent with the State and local
policy regarding vegetation and the environment, the Industrial Policy, the Decision
Guidelines of the Industrial 3 Zone, and Clause 65 of the Greater Bendigo Planning
Scheme.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context

where we live.
Goal 5: Environmental sustainability
• Protect and enhance our environment, conserve our resources and increase
resilience to a changing climate.

The subject site was created as part of an 8 lot subdivision (Permit No. 447.97) issued
on 6 August 1997. A condition (Condition 12) was included on the permit to manage the
consequential removal of native vegetation as a result of the subdivision, noting that a
planning permit would not be required to remove native vegetation on the lots once they
are less than 4000sqm in size. Condition 12 states the following:
The existing native trees on lots 6, 7 & 8 must not be removed, destroyed or lopped
without the written consent of the Council.
A condition (Condition 13) on the permit also required the land owner to enter into a
Section 173 Agreement with Council before the subdivision was finalised, which now
applies to the land. Part a) of the Agreement (X322924P) states the following:
No live tree on Lots 6, 7 or 8 can be removed, destroyed or lopped, without the written
consent of the Council.
PAGE 31
Planning permit DI/462/2003 was issued on 8 August 2003 for Construction of 2 Sheds
with associated offices and associated native vegetation removal (6 native trees). One
objection was received to the application relating to the issue of vegetation removal from
the site. In the assessment of this application it was considered that the compromise to
retain two of the largest trees on site was reasonable. This intent was translated through
a condition (Condition 12) on the permit which states the following:
Existing trees identified on the endorsed plans must be retained and protected by
suitable root barriers and devices and must not be damaged or destroyed, felled, lopped
or uprooted unless with the prior written consent of the Responsible Authority. Such trees
must be satisfactorily protected during any building operations or works. The landscaping
plan submitted must be modified to show the location and species of the locally
indigenous trees and shrubs to be planted along the frontage of shed 1 on Maynard
Drive. This landscaping should form a buffer of at least 3m in height, to partly screen the
proposed buildings.
It is also noted that in order to prolong the life of the trees to be retained, the City
considered it acceptable to require the applicant to seal only a portion of the access and
car parking area of the site. The use of a crushed rock car park does not meet normal
City requirements; however it was deemed that this lesser standard would reduce the
imposition of the tree retention. Further to the City’s requirements, the Department of
Sustainability and Environment (a referral authority) requested a condition be included on
the permit requiring two hundred and thirty indigenous trees and shrubs to be
established in the vicinity of the site within 12 months of the commencement of the
project.
The development permit was later amended on 27 January 2004 to include consent for
the removal of an additional native tree along the western boundary of the site, due to its
proximity to another tree approved for removal.
It is evident from a review of the City’s mapping that one of the two large trees located
centrally within the site has been removed since the permit was issued. It appears that
this tree was removed in 2016, with no record of any approval having been obtained prior
to the tree removal.
Report
The subject site is formally known as Lot 6 on PS433976 and is rectangular in shape
with a total area of 2600sqm. The site is located on the southern side of Maynard Drive,
approximately 130m east of the Midland Highway. The site is located in the Industrial 3
Zone and is adjoined by Bendigo Pottery to the east and south, and industrial
development to the west. The Bendigo Pottery site is heavily vegetated with large
established native trees.
The site contains two industrial sheds, with car parking located between the two sheds
and to the rear of the property. A large native tree is located between the two sheds, with
vegetation also located along the perimeter of the site.
PAGE 32
Figure 1: Location map showing subject site.
Figure 2: Existing conditions (view of site from Maynard Drive).
PAGE 33
Figure 3: Tree proposed to be removed.
PAGE 34
Proposal
The application proposes to amend the plans endorsed as part of the permit to allow for
the removal of a native tree. The applicant has stated that the tree removal is required as
in the past the tree has dropped limbs onto vehicles causing damage, and despite the
tree being pruned by a qualified arborist multiple times, it is still an ongoing issue.

• Clause 10.04 Integrated decision making
• Clause 12.01 Biodiversity
• Clause 15.01 Urban environment
Municipal Strategic Statement

• Clause 21.01 Municipal Profile
• Clause 21.04 Strategic directions
• Clause 21.08 Environment

• Clause 22.05 Industrial Policy
Other Provisions
• Clause 33.03 Industrial 3 Zone
• Clause 65 Decision Guidelines
Planning approval is required to remove the tree as a result of Condition 12 on the permit
and the Section 173 Agreement affecting the property.
Referrals
The following internal authorities have been consulted on the proposal:
PAGE 35
Referral Comment
Parks & Gardens (Tania Advice only.
MacLeod, Project Officer – A site visit with the City’s Arborist on 20 September
Arboriculture) 2017 confirmed that the tree in question is a large
Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) with a diameter of
116cm. From a visual inspection at ground level, the
City’s Arborist stated that the tree appears to be in good
health, with good structure and no observable defects
that would warrant the removal of the tree. Out of
interest, the City’s Bendigo Tree Valuation Formula was
applied; in order to understand what the amenity value
of the tree would be if this particular tree was on Council
land. The tree was valued at $112,258.
Public Notification
nearby owners and occupiers, however no objections were received.
Planning Assessment
Consistency of the amended permit with the relevant State and local policy, the Industrial
3 Zone and the Decision Guidelines of Clause 65.
Clause 10.04 Integrated decision making states that Planning authorities and responsible
authorities should endeavour to integrate the range of policies relevant to the issues to
be determined and balance conflicting objectives in favour of net community benefit and
sustainable development for the benefit of present and future generations.
The need to protect and conserve native vegetation, and to avoid the unnecessary
removal of vegetation is a clear policy direction running through the planning scheme,
both at State and local level. Clauses 12.01 and 21.08 seek to protect the environment
and protect sites and features of nature conservation, biodiversity, geological or
landscape value. Clause 15.01-1 urban design seeks to provide good quality urban
environments through such strategies as encouraging the retention of existing vegetation
or revegetation as part of subdivision and development proposals.
The Industrial Policy (Clause 22.05) requires industrial developments to be assessed

against the City of Greater Bendigo’s Good Design Guide for Industry (Greater Bendigo
Planning Scheme Referred to Document). This Guide outlines a number of key
considerations with regards to industrial development, including the following:
• The need to ensure no significant loss of amenity to the surrounding area

• Landscaping to achieve appropriate aesthetic and environmentally sustainable
landscaping in industrial areas – for example by:
o Enhancing the appearance of buildings and the site as a whole;
o Providing screening and separating incompatible land use areas;
o Providing shade for car parking and pedestrian areas;
PAGE 36
o Assisting in the control and reduction of run-off and erosion;

o Enhancing the value of properties within the area and its attractiveness to
new industries.
The Decision guidelines of the Industrial 3 Zone (Clause 33.03) require consideration to
be given to factors such as any natural or cultural values on or near the land, and
landscape treatment.
Clause 65 Decision guidelines provides a range of standardised decision guidelines that

a responsible authority must consider as appropriate before deciding on a permit
application or the approval of a plan, which ensures consideration and integration of all
issues as part of the decision making process. Contained within Clause 65.01 are the
following decision guidelines relevant to this application:
• The effect on the amenity of the area.

• The extent and character of native vegetation and the likelihood of its destruction;
and
• Whether native vegetation is to be or can be protected, planted or allowed to
regenerate.
Whether appropriate justification has been provided to warrant the removal of the tree.
Giving attention to the relevant policy guidelines outlined above, it is clear that the role
that vegetation plays with regards to the natural environment, biodiversity, amenity, and
the appearance of industrial development is a key planning consideration in an
application of this nature. It is also evident that policy encourages the retention of
existing vegetation as part of development proposals. In considering whether the tree
removal is appropriate, one must consider the direction of the relevant policy and
whether appropriate justification has been provided to support the tree removal.
The City’s concerns with regards to the tree removal not being justified were raised with
the applicant during the process. The applicant was given the opportunity to provide
further justification to Council in support of the removal of the tree, however chose to
proceed with the application in its current form. The photos provided (Figures 1, 2 and 3
of this report) clearly highlight the prominence of the tree within the streetscape, the
relationship of the site to the east and south adjoining tourist facility (Bendigo Pottery),
and the role that the tree plays with regards to the appearance of the site. Given the
prominence of the tree within the landscape along with the good health of the tree, the
tree removal is considered to be at odds with the direction of the relevant policy and
would result in an unreasonable amenity outcome.
Whether the proposal is consistent with the intent of the conditions on the planning
permit and the Section 173 Agreement regarding vegetation retention.
Further to a discussion of the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme, consideration should

also be given to the intent of the relevant permit conditions and the Section 173
Agreement affecting the land.
As is the case with this application, a way in which the City can consider and manage the
consequential removal of native vegetation as a result of a proposal is through the
inclusion of permit conditions and through requiring the land owner to enter into a
Section 173 Agreement.
PAGE 37
It is evident that Condition 12 was included on the development permit in order to secure
the protection of the remaining large trees on the site and to minimise the impact on the
amenity of the area along with biodiversity and the environment. This condition is
intended to operate prospectively and imposes an ongoing limitation on tree removal on
the site.
Whilst it is acknowledged that the development approved by the permit has been
constructed, Case law (through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal - Box v
Moreland City Council (Red Dot) [2014] VCAT 246, VCAT) has determined that permit
conditions will continue to have effect for as long as the development which triggered the
need for a permit remained on the land.
Using this as a guide, it can be concluded that Condition 12 on the permit does not
cease to have effect simply because the sheds have been constructed. As such, the
intent of the permit condition which was to secure the protection of the remaining large
trees on the site and to minimise the impact on the amenity of the area along with
biodiversity and the environment should be upheld.
Conclusion
It is considered that the approval of an amended permit would result in an unacceptable

planning outcome which is inconsistent with the policy directions of the Greater Bendigo
Planning Scheme with regards to the industrial development, the environment and
amenity. To this end, refusal of the application is recommended.
Options
resolve to: grant an amended permit, grant an amended permit with conditions, or refuse
to grant an amended permit.
PAGE 38
2.4 GREATER BENDIGO PUBLIC TOILET STRATEGY
Author Andy Walker, Manager Property Services
Responsible Debbie Wood, Acting Director Presentation and Assets

Director
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to:
1. Provide Council with a summary of feedback received for the Draft Public Toilet
Strategy during the community consultation period 19/10/2017 – 17/11/2017.
2. Seek Council’s adoption of the Greater Bendigo Public Toilet Strategy.
Summary
The provision of public toilets contributes to the liveability of the City of Greater Bendigo.
Public toilets are essential public infrastructure for residents, workers and visitors to the
City, as they improve public amenity and activation of public spaces and also support
social activities that are inclusive for all ages and abilities. The provision of such
services remains a core activity of local government.
There are currently 54 public toilets in the municipality, this total includes seven public
toilets, predominately in rural areas, which the City does not own or manage, but does
provide support including monetary or maintenance support towards their operation.
There are also numerous publicly available toilets primarily located in shopping centres
and car parks that support the City’s public toilet network, as well as private toilets
operated by commercial businesses that are also accessed by the public regularly.
In the 2016/17 budget, Council endorsed the business case for the Property Services
Unit to undertake a Public Toilet Strategy.
The aim of the Public Toilet Strategy is to improve the quality, distribution, location and
standard of public toilets across the City of Greater Bendigo enhancing the amenity and
health and wellbeing of all residents and visitors to the municipality, as well as informing
future capital works programs.
PAGE 39
RECOMMENDATION
That the Greater Bendigo City Council resolve to:
1. Adopt the Greater Bendigo Public Toilet Strategy to guide the future planning and
provision of public toilets in the municipality for residents, workers and visitors to the
City of Greater Bendigo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context

Goal 4 Presentation and managing growth
Planning, developments and infrastructure that increase our

liveability and pride where we live.
Objective 4.4 Keep Greater Bendigo attractive with good quality public facilities
and places.
Maintain and upgrade essential buildings and infrastructure in a
sustainable manner.
Objective 4.5 Provide and maintain urban and rural infrastructure to support the
liveability of our community.
Develop and adopt best-practice asset management principles.
The concept for the Draft Public Toilet Strategy was derived from the 'Public Toilet
Design Brief' (the Brief) produced by the Building and Property Unit (now known as
Property Services Unit) in September 2011 and revised in October 2013. The Brief had
an asset management focus and called for a further analysis of the data collected during
the review of the public toilets at the time. Additionally, it was acknowledged that public
engagement would be required in order to gain a full understanding of usage and
demand.
The Brief detailed aspects to be considered and incorporated in the design or upgrade of
public toilet facilities, in order to ensure the installation and maintenance of adequate
public toilet facilities.
An audit of all public toilet facilities was conducted in 2010 to determine the condition of
each facility within the municipality and gather key property condition data and review the
current maintenance and cleaning schedules.
PAGE 40
The results highlighted major inequality in the condition and quality of public toilets, as
well as parts of the municipality that did not have adequate or any public toilet facilities.
In 2016, a budget submission for the 2016/2017 budget was successful and work
commenced to engage a suitable consultant to produce a strategy for the municipality in
2017.
Report
Planisphere (the Consultants), were engaged through a procurement process, to prepare

a strategy that would address the provision and availability of public toilets for the City
that are safe, accessible, clean and high quality.
The strategy provides an overarching framework and strategic direction for the design,
construction, maintenance, renewal and future upgrade of Council owned or managed
public toilets across Greater Bendigo. The strategy is outlined by four key themes,
distribution, design, accessibility and management. Objectives and specific
recommendations are outlined for each key theme.
Although Councils are not statutorily or legislatively obligated to provide public toilets,
fulfilling this role is a community expectation.
The City is not the only government entity that provides public toilets but is generally
presumed to have this responsibility. In order to meet community expectations, the City
must take a lead role in strategic planning for public toilets across the municipality.
If this is not done well, issues around facilities not being fit for purpose, attracting
antisocial behaviour and not being located in the right places become difficult to address
in a systematic, cost effective and timely manner.
Key Tasks
The consultants were asked to collate and consolidate the extensive background work
undertaken and information collected by City officers in previous years. The consultants
then obtained additional information through facilitated workshops with City officers and
other stakeholders and used this information to address and make recommendations on
the following issues:
• Availability and locations

• Universal accessibility and compliance
• Future growth
• Safety
• Promotion and signage
• Cleanliness and management
• Design and sustainability
• Decommissioning or reuse
• Community expectation and demand
PAGE 41
• Special/major events
Priority/Importance:
Creating the world's most liveable community can be achieved when our essential
community assets such as public toilets are strategically planned, maintained and
managed. Public toilets are a significant factor in the experience of visitors and locals
when undertaking activities in our municipality.
This strategy warrants a high priority on the City and Community Agenda.
Options/Alternatives:
The Strategy's Network Distribution recommendations include several site specific

actions, but also strategic directives that will not only see the City's current facilities
provide a better service, but also see rural areas, neighbourhoods and public spaces
benefit from better planning, management and investment into public toilets.
It is recommended that the City actively explore opportunities for partnerships with the
private sector for the construction of public toilets. These opportunities may be realised
as part of the planning process for the development of private commercial sites, as well
as sites under management of Committees of Management and other incorporated
community bodies.
This would reduce the City's capital outlay as well as the ongoing maintenance and
management costs for the life of the facility. It would ensure communities and businesses
are appropriately engaged.
Timelines:
The following are the key dates for the development of the Draft Public Toilet Strategy.
Preliminary work was conducted some years prior to the strategy itself commencing in
February 2017.
PAGE 42
PAGE 43
Risk Analysis:
Without the guidance and direction provided by a strategy, the City’s public toilets will
continue to be managed in an ad-hoc and reactive way which is not productive or
efficient and can become costly. Public complaints may increase and unintentional
discrimination could occur through facilities not being accessible to everyone.
Capital works planning based on the 2010 audit do not consider the location, proximity,
future growth and planning work already undertaken through existing strategies and
master plans.
There is a risk if our public toilets are not well planned that visitor experiences to the City
may be reduced.
The strategy is predominantly based on a combination of City asset data and information
received via an extensive community consultation and engagement process, conducted
with the general public as well as key stakeholders.
Stakeholder workshops, listening posts, a community survey and various online and
social media methods were utilised to gather public and professional opinions,
perceptions and key issues on the topic.
A number of existing City strategies and master plans have also been considered
including:
• Residential Development Strategy 2014

• Commercial Land and Activity Centre Strategy 2015
• Greater Bendigo Public Space Plan (under development - 2017)
• Environment Strategy 2016-2021
• CBD Plan 2005
• Play Space Strategy 2008
• Walking and Cycling Strategy 2006
• Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2017-2021
• Community Access and Inclusion Plan
• Municipal Early Years Plan 2015-2018
• Various community plans for small towns (e.g. Heathcote, Elmore, Axedale,
Raywood, etc.)
Internal Consultation:
Internal stakeholder workshops with key City staff invited.
The first workshop was to introduce the project to City units and to workshop issues and
opportunities regarding the provision of public toilets in the municipality.
PAGE 44
The second workshop was conducted once the first draft of the strategy was received.
Staff were asked to work through the key priorities and locations for construction,
renewal and upgrades of public toilet facilities to meet our current strategies as
highlighted in the Draft Public Toilet Strategy document.
The workshops were facilitated by the project consultants.
Staff invited:
• Manager Property Services, Andy Walker

• Manager Community Partnerships, Steven Abbott
• Manager Parks & Open Space, Debbie Wood
• Manager Active & Healthy Lifestyles, Lincoln Fitzgerald
• Coordinator Property, Stephen Van der Werf
• Coordinator Public Space Design, Aaron Lindsay
• Place Manager, Philip DeAraugo
• Senior Strategic Planner, Mark Stubbs
• Senior Disability Inclusion Officer, Jolie Middleton
• Facilities Team Leader, Amy Johnston
External Consultation:
1. Community Group workshop with key community groups to introduce the project to
community groups and to workshop issues and opportunities regarding the provision
of public toilets in the municipality.
The workshop was facilitated by the project consultants.
Community Groups invited:
• Bendigo Business Council • Disability Inclusion Reference

(Be.Bendigo) Committee
• Bendigo Traders Association • Interchange
• Bendigo Community Health Services • Distinctive Options
• Raywood Progress Association • Amicus
• Kamarooka Community Committee • Bendigo Special Development Group
• Neilborough Progress Association (school)
• Sebastian Progress Association • Carer Support Services Bendigo
• Woodvale Progress Association Health
• Elmore Progress Association • RIAC
• Advance Heathcote • FreeZa Youth Group
• Redesdale and District Association • Youth Worker Network
• Axedale Our Town Our Future • Alzheimer’s Australia
• Victoria Police • Parks Victoria
• The Salvation Army (Chill Out space • Golden City Support Services
PAGE 45
volunteers) • Anglicare Victoria

• Bendigo Taxi Association • BDAC
• Scope • Riding for the Disables
• Noah’s Ark • Long Gully Neighbourhood Centre
• Positive Ageing Advisory Committee
2. Business Group workshop with key businesses to introduce the project to

businesses and to workshop issues and opportunities regarding the provision of
public toilets in the municipality.
The workshop was facilitated by the project consultants.
Business Groups invited:
• Bendigo Business Council • Strathfieldsaye and District

• Bendigo Traders Association Community Enterprise
• Bendigo Tourism Board • Business and Community Network
• Bath Lane Traders 3556 (BCN3556) Eaglehawk
• Empowering Eaglehawk • Public Transport Victoria
• Heathcote Tourism and Development • Australian Commercial Maintenance
Inc. • Ausbright
3. Pop up listening posts facilitated by the project consultants and City staff held at the
following locations:
• Bendigo CBD – the Bendigo Library, Mall and Bath Lane

• Marong – outside the existing public toilets
• Heathcote – at the Visitors Information Centre
4. Online and hardcopy survey promoted through social media and local newspapers.
• 925 surveys were completed and submitted

• 202 Facebook comments submitted
In addition to the above formally organised consultation, the City has been contacted by
several individuals and organisations wishing to convey their opinions, suggestions,
experiences and information on the topic. All of which have been forwarded to the
consultants for their consideration during this process.
Draft Strategy Community Consultation Process
The Draft Public Toilet Strategy was made available to public comment for a period of 4
weeks (19/10/2017 – 17/11/2017) and was promoted through the following avenues:
• Media release
• City of Greater Bendigo’s website
• Hard copies made available at the City’s customer service offices in Bendigo and
Heathcote
PAGE 46
• Hard copy made available at the Bendigo Library

• Hard copies made available at the Bendigo and Heathcote Visitor Information
Centres
• Boosted (funded) posts on social media
• Paid advertisements in the Bendigo Advertiser and McIvor Times
• Messages on television screens at the City’s customer service centres and at the
Bendigo Library
• Items in the City’s weekly news update
• Item in the City’s staff Insider (newsletter)
• Emails to all stakeholders that were invited to the initial consultation workshops
earlier in the year
Submissions
As a result of promoting the Draft Public Toilet Strategy, 15 submissions were received.
These submissions and their response are in the table below.
Submitter. Summary of Submission Response

No.
1 The submitter recommends a
Community Toilet Scheme.
Requests that the public toilet Noted. Maybe considered at the time
facilities in Londonderry Reserve of upgrade and or refurbishment in
be relocated and place them in line with the Public Space Plan.
Wattle Square.
Suggests immediate action to Construction of the new toilet facility

install a new facility at the QEO. to commence in early 2018 and be
completed by September 2018.
Suggests the upgrade of facilities Noted.

at Lake Weeroona be changed to
Medium Term priority.
Recommends public toilets along Refer comments on to Manager

the O’Keefe Rail Trail approx. 6km Active and Healthy lifestyles for
from the Bendigo start of the trail – consideration and future planning of
along McIvor Highway near Big 4 services and facilities along this track.
Park Lane Caravan Park and
suggests that drinking water
facilities be included for trail users.
2 The submitter recommends that Noted.

the City ask designers to
PAGE 47

No.
implement the Bennett and
Fleming Dementia Enabling
Environment Principles in relation
to ideas for improved design for
people with dementia.
3, The submitters request that new Change priority of new works to a

4, public toilets at the Waratah Rd, medium priority to reflect the
5, Huntly playground be made a high concerns and needs of the users and
6, priority. community.
7&
14
8 The submitter advises that public The strategy makes a number of

toilets in parks are always recommendations on how we can
necessary and welcomed. better partner with local business and
other key government organisations
The submitter suggests that for to provide additional public toilet
public areas such as the facilities into the future.
Hargreaves Mall, co-managed
facilities may be better. Current Hargreaves Mall and Lyttleton
toilets in Mall and Coles carpark Terrace (Coles Carpark) public toilets
are filthy most of the time and have been identified as requiring
people would not even walk in upgrades/renewal in the short term.
there unless it’s really urgent.
9 The submitter requests that public The strategy supports and

toilets need to be installed along recommends the provision of new
the O’Keefe Rail Trail at Knowsley toilet facilities along this trail in
consultation with community and
and at Peppercorn Park, Longlea
users in the medium term.
and need to be installed in the
short term.
The Public Toilet Strategy should

allow for appropriate toilets to be
installed at sites where there is no
water supply.
10 The submitter is pleased with the Noted

Draft Public Toilet Strategy.
11 The submitter suggests that a The strategy recognises the need to

Caravan/RV dump point be identify key sites and provide
located at the Kangaroo Flat locations for RV dumping sites
Gateway Park and at Lake
Weeroona and requests tourist
information booths at these
PAGE 48

No.
locations as well due to the lack of
parking options for long vehicles at
the Visitor Information Centre in
Bendigo.
12 The submitter advises that RPCV The strategy makes a number of

manage four publicly accessible recommendations on how we can
toilets. better partner with local business,
community groups and other key
RPCV have considered locking the government organisations to provide
toilets on Paterson St Quarry Hill additional public toilet facilities into
for use by funeral attendees only the future
however, closing this toilet to daily
usage would leave a very large
gap in the service offerings on this
side of Bendigo along a busy road
corridor.
It would be appreciated if
communication lines could open
up into the future to ensure
comfort stops is catered for in a
logical and well thought through
fashion for the people of and
visitors to the City of Greater
Bendigo and to work forward to
align this to the Public Space
Planning.
13 The submitter welcomes the The strategy recommends both the

renewal of the ‘Mews’ public toilets provision of a new public toilet in the
and would hope that the planned Rosalind park precinct and the
development of toilet facilities in renewal of the existing public toilet
Rosalind Park do not negate the (Mews) located at the rea of the
need for toilets in the Mews. visitors information centre.
Visitor Centre accreditation

requires the centre to have public
toilets within a 5 minute walk. If
any change in location is planned,
please involve the Visitor Services
Manager in these discussions.
15 The submitted requests that the Noted.

recommendation to close the
Caradon Way toilets be rescinded These toilets are in poor condition
and that they be recommended for and in an isolated location with two
an upgrade as soon as possible. nearby facilities located within a three
minute walk.
PAGE 49
Budget Allocation in the Current Financial Year:
$ 90,000 for public toilet renewal

$300,000 for Heathcote public toilet renewal
$680,000 for QEO kiosk and toilet upgrades (including budget carry forwards)
External Funding Sources:
The State Government has committed $100,000 for a Changing Places facility in
Bendigo as part of the Changing Places funding program.
The location for the Changing Places facility will be the Hargreaves Street Multi Storey
Carpark. These public toilets have been highlighted as average condition, high usage
and high profile requiring renewal. Additional funding will be required to upgrade these
facilities to ensure a successful Changing Places facility.
Projected costs for future financial years:
Approximately $8M over the next ten years.
Any ongoing recurrent expenditure required:
With new facilities and upgrades recommended, there will be an ongoing increase in
operating costs including maintenance, cleaning, security and utility costs.
Attachments
1. Greater Bendigo Public Toilet Strategy
PAGE 50
Wellbeing and Fairness - Reports Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
3. WELLBEING AND FAIRNESS
3.1 DESIGNATION OF NEW BUSHFIRE PLACE OF LAST RESORT -

NEIGHBOURHOOD SAFER PLACE - AXEDALE
Author Sue Moses, Municipal Fire Prevention Officer
Responsible Vicky Mason, Director Health and Wellbeing

Director
Purpose
To seek Council’s resolution to designate a new Bushfire Place of Last Resort –

Neighbourhood Safer Place to be located at the Axedale Primary School oval, 81 High
Street Axedale.
Summary
Over a number of years the Axedale community has requested to have a Bushfire Place
of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Place. The closest current locations are
Heathcote and Junortoun.
The Axedale Primary School oval has been identified and assessed as suitable.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council:
1. Designate the Axedale Primary School oval at 81 High Street Axedale as a

Bushfire Place of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Place.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context
The State Government included the requirement for Neighbourhood Safer Places (since
renamed to be Bushfire Places of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Place), in the
Emergency Services Legislation Amendment Act 2009.
PAGE 51

Goal 2 Wellbeing and Fairness
Objective 2.5 Create safe and resilient communities
Action 2.5.1 Strengthen community safety - Help protect the community from risks and
harm associated with through, through the implementation of fire prevention activities
Action 2.5.2 Strengthen community resilience – Undertake emergency management

planning that builds community resilience, especially with increasing risks of bushfire,
flood, and heat events.
The Bushfire Royal Commission recommended that Neighbourhood Safer Places –

Bushfire Place of Last Resort, be established to provide a ‘place of last resort’ for people
in bushfire affected areas, as a place to go if all their other plans fail so that in this
situation people have a local place to go where they have some chance of survival.
The Legislation requires Councils to identify, designate, establish and maintain Bushfire
Places of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Place, in their municipal district. The role
of the CFA is to certify the selected sites against Fire Rating Criteria.
There are currently 10 sites designated in the City of Greater Bendigo.
The community of Axedale has for an extended period of time expressed the need to
have a Bushfire Place of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Place.
December 2009 – Council adopts Municipal Neighbourhood Safer Places Plan.
December 2009 – Council designates eight Neighbourhood Safer Places
October 2010 – Council adopts two additional Neighbourhood Safer Places.
September 2017 –The Bushfire Place of Last Resort - Neighbourhood Safer Place at
Canterbury Park Eaglehawk Football Oval at 2 Simpsons Road Eaglehawk was
decommissioned due redevelopment works, and a new site was designated adjacent at
Canterbury Park, 20 Simpsons Road Eaglehawk at the carpark and events area.
Report
The Axedale community has requested a Bushfire Place of Last Resort - Neighbourhood
Safer Place for the town.
PAGE 52
Following a community meeting early in 2017 where the issue was again raised, the
Municipal Fire Prevention Officer sought to identify sites that may be suitable and a
number of sites were considered.
The Axedale Hall was considered and assessed. The building was found to be suitable
providing some works were undertaken to seal it from embers however the surrounding
grounds did not provide a safe place for parking of cars and people to move safely into
the building.
1 Raglan Street, vacant land owned by the City of Greater Bendigo was considered
however even with grass slashing there were concerns about fire impacting the site.
The Axedale Primary School oval was selected as the most suitable, being a watered
green playing field with good access for parking and pedestrians. The use of the site
does not include any of the buildings or facilities and does not require any person/s to be
present. People who choose to use the site will do so at their own risk. This will be
reflected in all publicity and on signage at the site.
The CFA Fire Rating assessment found the site to be compliant.
Axedale Primary School Principal and the school council are in support.
The City will assist to maintain vegetation at the site (mowing) if required, such as during
school holidays.
The establishment of a Bushfire Places of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Place at

the Axedale Primary School oval has been endorsed by the Municipal Fire Management
Planning Committee (MFMPC) and the Municipal Emergency Management Planning
Committee (MEMPC).
Consent has been provided by the Minister for Education James Merlino and the consent
has been published in the Government Gazette.
Council may choose not to designate a Bushfire Place of Last Resort - Neighbourhood
Safer Place at Axedale, or may wish to consider an alternative site. It would be difficult
to find another site in Axedale that meets the criteria for assessment.
This is of high priority for the Axedale community and visitors to the area during the fire
danger period.
Timelines:
It has taken several months to receive approval from the Department of Education and
Training. The Department has apologised for the delay.
This delay means that the Axedale Bushfire Place of Last Resort - Neighbourhood Safer
Place may not be ready for the remainder of the 2017/2018 summer season.
PAGE 53
Progress:
Following designation by Council, completion of the process includes the following steps:
• Complete the CFA’S Neighbourhood Safer Place online business system to

trigger formalisation of the process and CFA GPS mapping.
• CFA to amend any community bushfire information and develop a Community
Information Guide for Axedale
• The City to amend council’s website
• Ensure relevant organisations/ people (listed in step 15 of the Municipal
Neighbourhood Safer Places Plan) are notified
• Install signage at the site
• Amend the Municipal Emergency Management Plan and the Municipal Fire
Management Plan
Risk Analysis:
Conflict of use: There is little chance of a conflict of use as in the event of a fire event so
severe that compels people to use a Bushfire Place of Last Resort – Neighbourhood
Safer Place, it is likely that the school would be closed. The Axedale Primary School is
closed on a Code Red day.
The proposal does not include the use of any buildings and does not rely on any person
or agency to be in attendance. This is reflected in all material about The Bushfire Place
of Last Resort - Neighbourhood Safer Places and on the signage.
Signage and publicity around a Bushfire Place of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer
Place, advises people that they use the space at their own risk and cannot expect any
emergency services or agencies to be present.
The proposed change has involved communication between the Municipal Fire
Prevention Officer and the Municipal Emergency Resource Officer and once finalised the
change will appear on Council’s website and intranet and a media program will be
developed.
The Axedale School Council and School Principal have been involved and supportive
throughout the process.
Bushfire Places of Last Resort – Neighbourhood Safer Places are reviewed annually by
municipalities and CFA.
Communications with the community will occur as a combined approach with CFA and
Council on websites, media releases and social media. There has been preliminary
consultation with the Axedale community.
PAGE 54
The City already has the necessary signage, which is available for use at Axedale. No
other changes are required to occur at the site for it to be used for this purpose.
Installation of the signs will be funded by Community Partnerships Unit and does not
require any variation to the budget.
Attachments
1. Map: Recommended Bushfire Place of Last Resort - Neighbourhood Safer Place

at the Axedale Primary School oval, 81 High Street, Axedale.
2. CFA compliant assessment result.
3. Minister approval and Government gazettal.
PAGE 55
3.2 IRONBARK GULLY PUBLIC SPACE CORRIDOR
Author Robert Kretschmer, Healthy Lifestyles Officer – Strategy & Policy
Responsible Director Vicky Mason, Director Health and Wellbeing
Purpose
For Council to consider feedback received for the draft Ironbark Gully Concept Plan and
endorse the final version.
Summary
A six week community engagement process has identified strong and consistent
community support for developing the Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor. There is
also strong support for prioritising path user comfort and safety where the trail crosses
and traverses sections of road and for community participation in the development of
public spaces within the public space over time. The community is supportive of further
investigation into potential surplus public land within the corridor should there be
demonstrable benefits for the community and reduced costs associated with developing
and ongoing maintenance of the public space.
The Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor Plan has been amended in response to
stakeholder engagement processes and endorsement of the final plan is sought from
Council.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council endorses the Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor Plan and refers it to
future budget processes for consideration.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context
Development of the Ironbark Gully Trail is consistent with a number of Council plans and
strategies, including:
Greater Bendigo Community Plan 2017–21

The project is consistent with the vision to ‘create the world’s most liveable community’
and supports each of the six Goals identified in the plan.
Goal 1: Council will lead and govern for all

Objectives
1.1 Council will engage with all communities
PAGE 56
1.4 Council will be accountable and efficient in its use of the community's money
Goal 2: Wellbeing and fairness

Objectives
2.1 Create a much healthier Greater Bendigo
2.2 Promote positive wellbeing across the Greater Bendigo community
2.3 Promote community connection
2.5 Create proud and safe public places and commercial areas
Goal 3: Strengthening the economy

Objectives
3.4 Support the transition to a low carbon economy.

4.1 Place for a growing population
4.3 Continue to implement strategies that increase the capacity of transport
networks to better move people and goods and foster behaviour change that
increases walking, cycling and use of public transport
4.4 Keep Greater Bendigo attractive with good quality public facilities and places
Goal 5: Environmental sustainability

Objectives
5.1 Work to connect the health of the natural environment to the health and
prosperity of our community

6.1 Celebrate our unique heritage.
6.2 Build pride in and shared responsibility for our public spaces.
Integrated Transport and Land Use Plan (link)

Connecting Greater Bendigo
• Integrate all modes of transport to provide real choice, make trips more
convenient and improve connections
Healthy Greater Bendigo
• Accelerate the progressive roll out of, footpaths, shared paths, bicycle paths
and trails and bicycle parking in Bendigo and key townships, with a focus on
improving safety, access and connections to key destinations such as
schools, public transport, sport and recreation facilities and activity centres.
• Maintain a comprehensive network of footpaths, bicycle lanes and shared
paths throughout the city so that a significant portion of journeys can be made
by walking or cycling
• Enable more people to live healthier lives by making walking and cycling to
daily destinations safer and easier
Moving Greater Bendigo
• Optimise the use of land and infrastructure to extend the life of the existing
road network when moving people and goods and to moderate the need for
new car parking facilities.
PAGE 57
Engaging Greater Bendigo
• Partner with lead organisations, government departments and agencies,

schools, community groups and employers to engage as many people as
possible to make healthy travel choices and build support for the key land use
and development elements of the ITLUS
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan

The project is consistent with the following goals and objectives identified in the Greater
Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan:
Promote Healthy Lifestyles
• Increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour.
Able to Participate
• Support positive ageing.
Liveability
• Facilitate supportive built and natural environments.
Environment Strategy (link)
• Sustainable transport, Reducing the need to travel, and encouraging low and
zero carbon modes of transport to reduce emissions
Development of a trail in Ironbark Gully was first identified in the City’s 2005 Walking and
Cycling Strategy. The trail remains as one of the few significant actions from the strategy
not implemented. The potential for an Ironbark Gully Trail has seen consistent advocacy
from local residents and community groups for a number of years. Resources for
progressing this project were allocated at the Council’s 2015/16 midyear budget review
with a proportion of funds contributed by the Renew project. Cultural Heritage
Management assessment and planning processes are currently underway.
An Ironbark Gully Trail Concept Plan was prepared outlining the preferred alignment for
the 3 kilometre trail and concepts for public spaces including opportunities for focused
community-led development of public spaces at identified locations.
The alignment of the trail and public space along the Ironbark Gully Creek connect to
Bendigo’s existing shared path network, residential areas, schools sport and recreation
facilities and local businesses. This provides significant opportunities to increase
participation in physical activity and active travel and improve equity of access to good
quality public space in suburbs where there is currently a deficit.
The Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor Plan has been developed outlining a preferred
route, physical construction requirements (in preparation for detailed design) and
concept plans for the trail and associated public space including areas for community-led
development of public space which could be developed over the longer-term.
Consultation has been undertaken with key internal and external stakeholders including
a six week, public consultation period.
PAGE 58
Community engagement was undertaken to refine elements of the concept plan and
seek public and key stakeholder views on concepts and proposals including
• The alignment of the trail
• Potential surplus land
• Principles for on-road segments of the trail
• Place-making opportunities (community input into site specific development)

Resources for progressing this project ($11 000) were allocated at the Council’s 2015/16
midyear budget review with a proportion of funds contributed by the Renew project
($9,000). Cultural Heritage Management assessment and planning processes were
initiated in 2016/17 (up to $30,000).
The Ironbark Gully Trail Concept Plan was presented to Council at the August 2017
Council meeting where approval was given to release the concept plan for community
review and feedback.
Report
Suburbs which the trail will improve connections for are amongst the poorest in Greater
Bendigo for
• physical activity rates (Active Living Census, 2015)
• ratings of quality and provision of public space (Public Space Plan, 2017)
• socio-economic status (ABS Census, SEIFA scores)
The Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor is situated within a short walking distance of
6,000 properties, schools, businesses, recreation and sport facilities.
For these reasons, the Ironbark Gully Trail is the highest priority new trail in Bendigo’s
walking and cycling network.
Endorse results of community engagement process and amended Ironbark Gully Public
Space Corridor Plan
The completion of the Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor Plan is the result of years of
community advocacy, detailed planning and significant community engagement.
Endorsement of the plan will allow engagement with DELWP regarding transfer of land
management to occur and development of the trail and public space to begin in 2018/19.
This will allow the City to meet expectations for key stakeholders in the project including
the general community and community organisations and government agencies.
PAGE 59
Decline to endorse Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor Plan

The Ironbark Gully Trail concept has developed significant public support and advocacy
to date. A commitment was made by Council at the 2015/16 mid-year budget review to
investigate the requirements to develop the trail and six weeks of community consultation
occurred from August 2017. Not proceeding to endorse the plan would fail to meet
community expectation and have potential negative reputation cost for the City and
Council. The Ironbark Gully Trail is among the highest priority shared paths for
development as the trail will improve connections for suburbs which are amongst the
lowest in Greater Bendigo for physical activity participation rates, ratings of quality and
provision of public space and socio-economic status (ABS Census, SEIFA scores).
Timelines:
Endorsement of the plan will allow processes for transfer of land management from
DELWP to begin, detailed design to proceed and first stages of trail development to
begin in 2018/19. Development of the primary trail and associated public space would
likely be distributed over 3–5 years. Secondary trails and community spaces would be
developed in the following five year period. Cultural Heritage Management assessment
and planning processes are currently underway.
Progress:
The Concept Plan has been completed and cultural heritage management processes are
underway. Detailed design of the first stage of the trail is underway. Before construction
can begin in 2018/19 transfer of land management to the City from DELWP needs to
occur. DELWP has indicated in principle support for the creation of the plan subject to
agreements on land management and Native Title responsibilities being met.
The City’s Shared Paths Control Group has met regularly and have been consulted
throughout the project. The group includes representatives from Active and Healthy
Communities, Engineering and Public Space, Parks and Natural Reserves, Strategy and
Community Partnerships. Staff from across the organisation have been consulted and
provided opportunity to review and provide feedback on key processes and documents
throughout the development of the plan. Internal feedback has been integrated into the
Concept Plan.
Internal consultation has indicated further work is required to assess the viability of frog
pond and wetland environments identified in the concept plan. The plan has been
amended to reflect that an assessment of the viability of this aspect of the initiative is to
be investigated once land management responsibilities are agreed to with DELWP and
transferred to the City.
The Ironbark Gully Trail Concept Plan was prepared and presented to Council in August
2017 where approval was given to consult with the broader community over a six week
period regarding:
PAGE 60
• trail alignment
• principles for on-road sections and crossings
• crossings
• further investigation of potential surplus land
• place-making and community-led approaches to developing higher amenity public
spaces within the corridor over time.
Community engagement activities undertaken over a six week period from August 2017
included
• 142 community survey responses
• 15 formal submissions from individuals, community organisations, state government
and health organisations
• Social media posts (23,000 total reach, 300+ likes, 30+ shares, 50+ comments)
• Meetings with community and government stakeholder groups
• Listening post and drop-in sessions
• Stakeholder walkthrough
• Letter to residents and owners in Ironbark Road
• Letter to 900 residents/ratepayers in immediate area surrounding public space
corridor
• Newsletter item distributed to 5 schools in catchment area
Community engagement processes have identified strong and consistent community

support for developing the Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor. There has also been
strong support for prioritising path user comfort and safety where the trail crosses and
traverses sections of road and for community participation in the development of public
spaces within the public space over time. A summary of engagement results is included
below with amendments made to the plan.
The alignment of the trail

There was consistent support for the proposed alignment of the trail and only minor
amendments are to be made as a result.
Potential sale of public land

The community was largely supportive of the proposal to further investigate
potential surplus land in the corridor (over three quarters of survey respondents). A
significant component of this support for further investigation was that any changes
to land ownership or use should benefit the local community and the public space
by improving perceptions of safety through passive surveillance, contributing to
funding development of the corridor and/or reducing maintenance costs in the short
and long term. A smaller proportion of the community were not supportive of any
land being considered surplus to the public space. Additional pieces of land were
suggested by the community as also having potential surplus. The plan
recommends that further investigations occur through engagement with the
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to assess the
practicality and viability of the identified land parcels to be considered surplus.
PAGE 61
Principles for road crossings and on-road segments of the trail

Treatment of the on-road section of trail, road crossings and network connections
received the most feedback from the community. There was consistent and very
strong support for the prioritisation of trail users at road crossings (92% of survey
respondents) and protection of users along the on-road section of trail either
through traffic calming and/or physical separation of walkers, cyclists and motor
vehicles. The plan has been amended to include path user priority at all road
crossings. The Ironbark Road, on-road layout and road crossings are to be
designed in the remainder of 2017/18.
Initial changes to the road environment for on-road sections of the trail will
incorporate traffic calming and separation of walkers and cyclists from motor vehicle
traffic. In the longer term the environment these sections of trail will be
progressively changed to integrate the trail and street environment guided by the
principles identified for public space corridors in road environments in the Public
Space Plan.
Main road crossings

Holmes Road and Nolan Street signalised crossings have been discussed with
VicRoads, a signalised crossing for path users was supported in principle on the
VicRoads controlled Holmes Road. Primary and secondary trails at the Nolan Street
end of the trail to be swapped to accommodate a more appropriate crossing point
adjacent to the Kalianna School. These crossings have been added to the plan with
funding to be sought from State Government.
Trail Connections
More detailed information and plans regarding the development of trail connections
to Eaglehawk, Lake Weeroona, the Long Gully Trail (at Bendigo Stadium), the city
centre and the broader walking and cycling networks across Bendigo were also
consistently sought through submissions and survey responses. More detailed
information regarding these connections has been added to the plan including (with
an indicative prioritisation/timeline)
• Long Gully Trail at Bendigo Stadium and on to Maiden Gully (integrate with
VicRoads Marong Road corridor planning process)
• Anderson Street bicycle route connecting to City at Rosalind Park and
Eaglehawk. Ensure the intersection of Anderson Street and Ironbark Road
integrates with the North Bendigo Recreation reserve providing path user
priority (short-medium term)
• Garden Gully across Victoria Street to the Long Gully Community Centre and
Long Gully Trail (short-medium term)
• Continuation of Ironbark Gully Trail along creek to north to meet Bendigo
Creek Trail at Holdsworth Road (medium term)
• Connect Ironbark Gully Trail to showgrounds via Prouses Road Reserve and
Swan St (medium term)
• Investigate future on-road protected cycleway along Eaglehawk Road to
connect city centre, Ironbark Gully Trail and suburbs to Eaglehawk. (medium
to long term)
Place-making opportunities (community input into site specific development)

There was strong community support for the place making approach to develop
public spaces over time driven by and in collaboration with communities and
PAGE 62
community organisations. A significant number of suggested facilities and amenities

were provided. Selected examples will be discussed within the plan and identified
for future investigation. Additional suggestions will be retained for consideration at
the time of development of public spaces throughout the public space corridor.
The City of Greater Bendigo has contributed $11,000 to the development of the concept
plan, matched with $9,000 from the Renew project. In addition $30,000was allocated in
2016/17 year to undertake additional planning activities, including investigating Cultural
Heritage Management Planning requirements so that the project is ready for detailed
design in 2017/18.
The concept plan estimates the overall cost for developing 4.3km of trail and 14 hectares
of public space at $2.9 million over 10 years. This includes the short-term (0-5 years)
construction of the primary trail (2.6km) landscape elements and road crossings,
approximately 70% of the total project cost. It also includes medium to longer-term (after
5 years) construction of secondary trails (1.7km) and landscape elements. More accurate
costs are to be developed during detailed design.
The total area for trail and public space is approximately 14 hectares and is
predominantly managed as category D ‘asset less’ public space, 3.5 hectares are
currently managed as the higher standard category C. Annual maintenance costs for the
overall public space would be transitioned in the short term to category C. Annual
maintenance is estimated to increase by $20–25 000.
Advice from the Engineering and Public Space Unit indicates the use of concrete paths is
standard City of Greater Bendigo practice for new shared paths and is beneficial on the
basis of ‘whole of life’ costs. For a well-constructed path maintenance and path
degradation over the lifetime of the path (up to 50 years) is minimal.
The plan identifies a number of locations within the corridor where there is potential for
community to drive the development of neighbourhood public spaces. In the medium to
longer-term there is the potential for community to work with the City to develop public
spaces, this is not included in the project estimate.
There is potential to seek external funding for development of the trail and public spaces.
Sections of the trail are on or adjacent to private land that has the potential to be
developed in the short to medium-term, there is potential for cost of construction of
sections of the trail in these areas to be reduced through development contributions. In
addition to this, there are a number of sections of crown land identified in the concept
plan as potentially being surplus to requirement. These parcels could be sold for
residential development, reducing ongoing maintenance costs. Further to this additional
passive surveillance over the public spaces would contribute to the perception of safety
in areas along the trail. Community views on this would be sought during the review and
feedback period. Should there be support for crown land to be identified as surplus, the
City would be required to work with DELWP to undertake further planning studies for
each piece of land. These studies would assess issues such as extent of any land
PAGE 63
contamination, any remediation requirements and suitability for use as residential before
proceeding with sale and rezoning of any land.
Crossings at main roads, Nolan Street and Holmes Road (VicRoads controlled) have
been identified as requiring pedestrian signals improve safety for trail users and create a
continuous, connected trail to the broader Bendigo walking and cycling network. The
addition of these crossings to the plan has not been costed or included in the plan.
Signalised crossings are subject to approvals from VicRoads. Initial consultations have
been held with VicRoads on this subject. Funding for these crossings (and for other
aspects of the trail and public space) could be sought from the State Government and
integrated with the VicRoads led Marong Road study. It is important that a comfortable
and convenient walking and cycling connection is made from the Eaglehawk Road end of
the Ironbark Gully corridor to the western starting point of the Long Gully trail at Bendigo
Stadium. A suitable road crossing at this location on Marong road will allow for a future
connection to the Bendigo Creek Trail.
There are two sections of the public space corridor that are in private ownership and will
require acquisition through purchase or public space contributions to be negotiated if
these parcels are developed in the future. These acquisitions would not be likely to occur
until at least 2019/20.
Attachments
1. Ironbark Gully - Summary of Changes Relating to Community Engagement
2. Amended Ironbark Gully Public Space Corridor Plan
PAGE 64
3.3 LOCAL LAW REVIEW
Author Caroline Grylls, Manager Safe and Healthy Environments
Responsible Vicky Mason, Director Health and Wellbeing

Director
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to seek Council approval to release for public exhibition, the
Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law in accordance with Section
119 of the Local Government Act 1989.
Summary
Local Laws must be reviewed regularly to ensure they remain relevant and reflect
contemporary expectation of Council. Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1989
determines that all Local Laws sunset after 10 years. The City’s Environment Local Law
No. 3 and the Municipal Places Local Law No. 5 operate until 1 September 2018. The
Streets and Roads Local Law No. 4 operates until 31 August 2021. The City’s review of
Local Law No. 3, 4 and 5 began in late 2016, and has resulted in the Draft Greater
Bendigo City Council Community Local Law (ATTACHMENT A).
The key issues that emerged during the review were:

• The initiative to concurrently review and simplify the City’s Local Laws by
consolidating Local Law No. 3, 4 and 5 into the one Greater Bendigo City Council
Community Local Law.
• The removal of a number of provisions that were no longer relevant, for example:
numbering of houses for identification; the droving of livestock through the
municipal district; unauthorised drainage tapping; the control of motor vehicles in
the Mall; and requirements that other agencies were authorised to manage.
• The need to transition a number of waste management clauses from the City’s
Local Laws to the new Waste Management Code of Practice (ATTACHMENT B).
• The need to be able to control the commercial use of our parklands and reserves
for the benefit for all with the introduction of the Commercial Fitness Operator
Policy 2017 (ATTACHMENT C).
• The City’s Outdoor Dining and Street Trading Code of Practice (ATTACHMENT
D) continues to be relevant and necessary.
• Ensuring that all conditions relating to fire management align with the
requirements set down by the State Fire Authorities.
• The desire to be able to declare areas of the municipality smoke-free.
• The need to be able to regulate the placement of skip bins, hoarding, and like
structures on municipal land.
• Many of the clauses in the reviewed Local Laws remained relevant and necessary
and only required minor amendment.
PAGE 65
• Penalty units were reviewed and in some instances increased to reflect an

appropriate penalty.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Greater Bendigo City Council resolve:
1. That in accordance with Section 119 of the Local Government Act 1989, Council
give notice of its intention to resolve to adopt the Draft Greater Bendigo City
Council Community Local Law in the Victorian Government Gazette and local
newspapers in a public notice stating:
(a) the purpose and general purport of the proposed Greater Bendigo City Council
Community Local Law;
(b) that a copy of the proposed Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law
can be obtained from the Council offices; and
(c) that any persons affected by the proposed Greater Bendigo City Council
Community Local Law may make a submission relating to the proposed Greater
Bendigo City Council Community Local Law under Section 223 of the Local
Government Act 1989.
2. That Council appoint a Committee of the whole of Council, to consider any

submissions by persons that request to be heard in accordance with Section 223 of
the Local Government Act 1989, and authorise the Chief Executive Officer to set
the date, time and location of the meeting to hear submissions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context

Goal 1: Lead and govern for all
1.2.3 Document and communicate in a consistent common style
• Ensure staff members’ community engagement obligations are informed by the

principles set out in the Communications Strategy.
Goal 2: Wellbeing and fairness.
2.5.1 Strengthen community safety
• Complete the review of Local Laws number 3, 4, 5 and 10.
Strategy Reference:
Greater Bendigo Health and Wellbeing Plan
PAGE 66
Goal 1: Healthy and well
Reduce harm from unhealthy behaviours
• Tobacco
Goal 2: Safe and Secure
Increase community safety
• Decrease crime and antisocial behaviour
Part 5 of the Local Government Act 1989 (the Act), gives Local Government the ability to
create, administer and enforce Local Laws relevant to the municipality. To ensure that
Local Laws remain relevant and appropriate, the Act requires that unless revoked earlier,
all Local Laws are revoked 10 years after the day which is the earliest day on which any
provision of the Local Law came into operation.
The City is undertaking a simultaneous review of the following Local Laws:
• The Environment Local Law No 3 which has the general objective of: controlling,
protecting and conserving the environment; providing a safe and healthy
environment; controlling activities which may be dangerous or unsafe; providing
standards and conditions for certain activities; and controlling activities in our
Reserves and Parkland.
• The Streets and Roads Local Law No 4 which has the general objective of:
controlling certain uses of streets and roads by persons, vehicles and animals;
controlling street parties and processions; ensuring properties are numbered;
controlling the construction of vehicle crossings; and regulating advertising signs on
roads.
• The Municipal Places Local Law No 5 which has the general objective of: providing
for peace, order and good governance; controlling protecting and maintaining
amenity; enabling people to use public places without their quiet enjoyment being
interfered with; providing a safe and healthy environment; and the safe and
equitable use and enjoyment of public places.
Local Laws must not be inconsistent with any Commonwealth or State Act or regulation
and must be consistent with the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
In some instances where a Local Law comes into effect, some human rights of an
individual may be limited. Such limitations are permitted if; whilst preparing and
interpreting the Local Law; it is considered that the limitation is a fair and just balance of
the rights of the individual with the overall protection of community interest.
PAGE 67
The Department of Planning and Community Development have released documents

titled ‘Guidelines for Local Laws Manual’ and ‘Guidelines for Local Laws Resource Book’,
which are intended to assist Councils in Victoria to achieve better practice when
considering, making, implementing, enforcing and reviewing Local Laws. Both of these
publications have been carefully considered when preparing the Greater Bendigo City
Council Community Local Law
Local Government Victoria (LGV) is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Local

Governments Act 1989: the first for 25 years. The City’s Local Law review coincides with
this legislative review. There is a likelihood that the State based review could have
process implications for Local Government’s Local Laws. Until such time that the
changes to the Local Government Act 1989 are known, the City’s has at all times
adhered with the current legislative requirements.
Report
The Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law has been prepared
following a review of the City’s Local Law No. 3, 4 and 5. The consultation process
included the review of the rich data available to the City from recent community
consultation and engagement; an extensive review of the customer request system that
relates to the local law under review; and analysis of the City’s enforcement history and
the Local Law clauses that history relates to.
A range of stakeholders and organisations were engaged to contribute to the review and
given an opportunity to raise emerging issues, workshop ideas and identify where
processes could be simplified to reduce regulatory burden.
A summary of the proposed changes to the three Local Laws under review has been
created to provide transparent, quick reference documents to explain the proposed
changes (ATTACHMENT E, F and G).
It is now appropriate to release the Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local
Law and associated reference documents for public exhibition in accordance with
Section 119 of the Local Government Act 1989.
In addition to the consolation undertaken during the review process, public exhibition of
the Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law gives the community the
necessary opportunity to consider:
• Does the Draft Local Law adequately address issues or concerns that relate to:
public spaces; environment; amenity; and community safety within the
community?
• Does the Draft Local Law adequately address relevant emerging issues specific to
the community?
• Does the Draft Local Law make it easier for businesses and individuals to use and
access public space for commercial activity and events?
• Does the Draft Local Law facilitate fair and equitable activation of public spaces?
PAGE 68
The Local Law review is a high priority, to ensure that the new Greater Bendigo City
Council Community Local Law is adopted, is advertised in the Government Gazette and
sent to the Minister prior to the automatic revocation of the City’s Local Law No. 3 and 5
on 1 September 2018.
Timelines:
Action Date
Exhibit Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local February, 2018
Law
Councillor Review Committee meetings to consider March, 2018
submissions
Formal Council meeting to adopt final Draft Greater Bendigo June, 2018
City Council Community Local Law
Notice in Government Gazette and Public Notice July, 2018
Copy of the Greater Bendigo Local Law to Minister July, 2018
Environment Local Law No. 3 automatically revoked 1 September, 2018
Municipal Local Law No. 5 automatically revoked 1 September, 2018
Streets and Roads No. 4 automatically revoked 31 August, 2021
Progress:
The review of the City’s Local Law Nos. 3, 4 and 5 is progressing well and will be
complete prior to the automatic revocation of Local Law Nos. 3 and 5 on 1 September
2018.
Risk Analysis:
With the concurrent review of the City’s Local Laws No. 3, 4 and 5 and Local
Government Victoria’s review of the Local Government Act 1989 (the Act), it is critical
that the City’s review proceeds in the knowledge that changes to the Local Law
provisions of the Act could impact on the City’s review processes. To manage this risk, it
is critical that the City remains abreast of any proposed changes to the Act, and the
timelines for implementation.
Local Laws cannot be created without undertaking an extensive consultation process.

Section 119 of the Local Government Act 1989, requires that:
(1) Before Council makes a local law, it must comply with the following procedure.
(2) The Council must give a notice in the Government Gazette and a public notice
stating-
PAGE 69
(a) The purpose and general purport of the Local Law; and
(b) That a copy of the proposed local law and any explanatory document can
be obtained from the Council office; and
(c) That any person affected by the proposed local law may make a
submission relating to the proposed local law under section 223 (of the
Act).
(2A) The Council must ensure that-

(a) A copy of the proposed local law; and
(b) An explanatory document setting out prescribed details in relation to the
local law-
is available for inspection at, and obtainable from, the Council office during
ordinary business hours.
There has been extensive consultation undertaken in the development of Greater

Bendigo City Council Community Local Law. An engagement plan was established early
in the process (ATTACHMENT H).
An internal Project Control Group (PCG) as created to oversee the review process which
included the Director Health and Wellbeing, previous Manager Environmental Health and
Local Laws, Manager Safe and Healthy Environments, Manager Engineering, Manager
Parks and Recreation, the City’s Legal Officer, Local Laws Officers, CBD Activation
Officer and representatives from Engineering, Regional Sustainable Development and
Business Transformations.
Consultation included:
• A Councillor workshop to identify any emerging issues raised by the community,

and Councillors' observations relevant to the Local Law review.
• Extensive consultation with internal sub-groups to workshop any ongoing issue
that might be relevant to the Local Law review.
• Multiple sub-groups established to discuss the relevance, enforcement history and
ongoing requirements for each clause of the existing Local Law Nos. 3, 4 and 5
that related to each units services.
•
The development of the Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law has
considered a wide range of community inputs including:
• An extensive review of the City’s customer request history to date relating to all
clauses of the Local Laws Nos.3, 4 and 5 to determine the number of customer
request and enforcement history for each clause.
• An extensive review of the data collected for previous community consultation,
specifically the data collected during the development of the City’s Municipal
Public Health and Wellbeing Plan, to identify emerging issues relevant to the
Local Law review.
PAGE 70
• A review of the issues identified in the Citizens Jury, and the issues relevance to
the Local Law review.
• Extensive consultation with Victoria Police to determine the relevance of each
clause of the Local Laws under review.
• Consultation with the Emergency Management Working group relevant Fire
Authorities
Exhibiting the Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law is the legislated
way to undertake formal external consultation. A communication and media strategy will
support the release of the Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law for
consultation, in addition to the methods of exhibition prescribed in the Local Government
Act 1989.
The review has been completed by internal staff resources. Additional costs of
approximately $1,000 are associated with the public notice and formal exhibition
process.
Existing Local Law Officers at the City will be utilised to implement, monitor and enforce
the new Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law: however the resources
required to effectively enforce and monitor the Greater Bendigo City Council Community
Local Law as the City grows, will continue to be reviewed and additional resources will
be sought if required.
There is no additional budget allocation in the financial year.
Attachments
A. Draft Greater Bendigo City Council Community Local Law 2017.

B. City of Greater Bendigo Waste Services Code of Practice.
C. City of Greater Bendigo Commercial Fitness Operator Policy.
D. City of Greater Bendigo Outdoor Dining and Street Trading Code of Practice.
E. Fact sheet – summary of changes Environment Local Law No. 3.
F. Fact sheet – summary of changes Streets and Road Local Law No. 4.
G. Fact sheet – summary of changes Municipal Local Law No.5.
H. Local Law Review Engagement Plan.
PAGE 71
Strengthening the Economy - Reports Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
4. STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY
4.1 GREATER BENDIGO HOUSING STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION

PLAN
Author Trevor Budge, Manager, Regional Sustainable Development Andrew

Cockerall, Coordinator Strategic Planning
Responsible Bernie O'Sullivan, Strategy and Growth

Director
Purpose
The draft Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy Implementation Plan and Investigation of
Low Density Residential and Farming Zone Land was released for community comment
for a period of 4 weeks. This report reviews the comments and submissions received
during the exhibition period and recommends the adoption of the Implementation Plan.
Summary
The Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy (GBHS) was adopted by Council on 31 August
2016. The GBHS sets the high level strategic direction in relation to the location, type
and form of housing to meet the changing needs of the community.
Key strategic directions arising from the GBHS are:

• To provide greater diversity in housing with a focus on increasing the supply of
smaller houses on smaller lots.
• To promote more affordable housing.
• To have more housing in accessible locations and for future residents to have safe,
active transport options.
• To improve the design quality of housing and the public realm including the generous
provision of quality public open space and areas for people to gather.
A desktop review of land zoned Low Density Residential and Farming that is within the
Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) has been prepared to determine whether any of this land
is suitable for conventional residential development in the future.
The Implementation Plan proposes to implement these strategic directions through

relevant Planning Scheme provisions.
The Implementation Plan was exhibited for a period of 4 weeks during which 49
submissions were received. This report summarises the submissions and recommends
adoption of the Implementation Plan.
PAGE 72
RECOMMENDATION
That the Greater Bendigo City Council resolve to adopt the Greater Bendigo Housing
Strategy Implementation Plan (2017) and that it be incorporated into the review of the
Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context
Community Plan 2017 – 2021 Reference:

Planning, developments and infrastructure that increase our liveability and pride in where
we live.
Objectives
4.1 Plan for a growing population.
4.2 Plan to meet future housing needs
Strategy Reference:
Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy (2016):

http://www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/Services/Strategic-Planning/Strategic-Planning-
Projects/Housing-strategy
Greater Bendigo has experienced strong and sustained growth over a number of years
and this is forecast to continue over the next 20 years with a projected average of 900
dwellings to be built per year until 2036.
The Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy (2014) and the Greater Bendigo Housing
Strategy (2016) both recognise that the outward growth that Bendigo has experienced
over the past 30 years is becoming increasingly unsustainable, especially when factoring
in the risks to life and property resulting from constraints such as bushfire and flooding,
growing dependence on households owning more than one motor vehicle in outer
suburban areas and the lack of hosing diversity often seen in such areas.
In respect to the need for greater housing diversity and affordability, currently 55% of all
households are one to two persons and this figure is projected to increase yet 90% of
new housing is 3+ bedrooms. There is a lack of choice, especially for those looking to
downsize or for household types such as single persons.
Note the Community Plan 2017 – 2018 actions
4.2.3 Advocate for increased access to social and affordable housing.
PAGE 73
• Develop a Social and Affordable Housing and Living Strategy and commence
implementation
The preparation of a Social and Affordable Housing and Living Strategy will be
undertaken in partnership with the Health and Wellbeing Directorate and is scheduled to
commence early in the first half of 2018 and will be focused around the concept of
affordable living. The concept of affordable living takes a more holistic approach to the
full cost of living (access to transport, jobs, schools, community and commercial facilities,
energy costs and sustainable living) not just housing costs. This will integrate far better
with the full range of Council strategies and Community Plan priorities.
Previous Council Decision Dates:
22 October 2014 Council adopted the Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy (GBRS)
and the need to prepare a Housing Strategy was identified as the
next step to implement the GBRS.
15 June 2016 Council resolved to release the Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy
Issues and Opportunities Paper for community comments for a
period of 6 weeks.
31 August 2016 Council adopted the Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy with the
Implementation Plan to be considered by the 2017-2020 Council.
Council adopts its 2017 – 2021 Community Plan which strongly advocates providing for a
growing population with diverse needs including housing.
21 June 2017 Council releases the draft Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy and
Low Density Residential and Farming Zone Land report for
community comment for a period of 4 weeks.
Report
The Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy (GBHS) was adopted by Council on 31 August
2016 and provides specific guidance on the location, type and design of housing that is
required into the future to meet the changing needs of the community. Key objectives in
the GBHS include:
• To provide greater diversity in housing with a focus on increasing the supply of
smaller houses on smaller lots.
• To promote more affordable housing.
• To have more housing in accessible locations and for future residents to have safe,
active transport options.
• To improve the design quality of housing and the public realm including the generous
provision of quality public open space and areas for people to gather.
The GBHS was adopted by the previous Council on the understanding that the current
Council would determine how the strategy would be implemented.
PAGE 74
The Implementation Plan sets out how the objectives and strategies in the GBHS would
be implemented into the Greater Bendigo Planning Scheme and into an ongoing
program of further strategic work.
The measures proposed by the draft Implementation Plan are:

• Various changes to the Local Planning Policy Framework which will be implemented
as part of the Planning Scheme Review to be completed later in 2018/19.
• The identification of 16 ‘Key Development Sites’ which include the former Coliban
Water site, the Chum Street mine site and the former “Teachers College” site in
Osborne Street, Flora Hill.
• Clarity around what we want to achieve in what we have termed 10 Minute
Neighbourhoods, which are also increasingly being recognised by the term
‘Complete Neighbourhoods’, and a process for planning these areas has been
prepared.
A desktop review of land in the Low Density Residential Zone (LDRZ) and Farming Zone
(FZ) within the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) was also prepared and exhibited. The
review assessed existing planning controls, infrastructure constraints and proximity to
activity centres, schools and open space to determine whether the land could be rezoned
to a General Residential Zone in the future subject to a Planning Scheme Amendment.
Submissions
The Implementation Plan and the Low Density Residential and Farming Zone Review
were placed on exhibition for a period 4 weeks. Notice was sent to:
• 390 parties who had registered an interest in the GBHS;
• 350 landowners in Maiden Gully who would be affected by the potential removal of a
planning control that sets a minimum lot size to determine the level of support or
otherwise for the proposal;
• 1,450 landowners who own land zoned Low Density Residential or Farming Zone.
During this period a listening post was held at the Bendigo Library, attended by
approximately 50 interested parties; the webpage was also updated regularly and social
media promoted the exhibition.
Overall the responses to the draft documents were positive. As is common in these
processes many landowners took the opportunity to advocate for a rezoning of their land
to accommodate further growth. Most of these individual submissions were not
supported because of the constraints relevant to most parcels of land. Generally all the
government departments and agencies that were consulted and submitted indicated
support for the Strategy and its implementation.
Over the exhibition period 49 submissions were received. The following table provides
an overview of each submission with a draft response to each one. The response to
each submission also represents the agreed views of various units within the City where
the submission impacts on Council assets such as roads and drainage. Where relevant
the views of the Country Fire Authority, the North Central Catchment Management
Authority and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning are included
within the Officer Response.
PAGE 75
Amendment VC140
Amendment VC140 applies a new State Planning Policy in relation to bushfire

management. The amendment was approved by the Minister for Planning in late
December 2017 without any consultation or engagement. In summary, VC140 states that
no planning scheme amendment can be approved unless a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL)
of 12.5 can be achieved. Given the amount of crown land and vegetated private land in
Greater Bendigo this is likely to have a significant impact on the outward urban growth of
Bendigo and some other township areas. Where it has been assessed that VC140 will
impact on a submission this has been noted in the discussion under the Officer
comments. A detailed evaluation of the impact of the amendment is currently being
prepared. The assessments that are provided of each submission were undertaken prior
to the introduction of VC 140 and were not influenced by that new state wide provision.
No. Summary of Submission Officer Response

1 Seeking to have land at 19-29 Vains The site is opposite an Industrial 1
Street, Golden Gully rezoned from Zone and could create future land
LDRZ to General Residential. use conflicts and compromise the
The submitter notes that the site is integrity of the industrial area.
serviced and proximate to facilities There are also risks associated with
such as transport, hospital and bushfire and potential adverse
schools. impacts on the adjoining Regional
Park.
This submission is impacted by
Amendment VC140.
The land can be subdivided into
0.2ha (0.5 acre) lots under current
planning controls subject to a
planning permit.
The submission is not supported.
2 Seeking to have land at 151 Edwards Under current planning controls the
Road, Maiden Gully rezoned from land could be subdivided into 0.2ha
LDRZ to General Residential. (0.5 acre) lots.
The submitter notes that the site has The major limiting factor for this area
access to sewerage and is opposite relates to vegetation and risk from
land zoned General Residential. bushfire.
Amendment VC140.
PAGE 76

3, Seeking to have land at 98 Kennewell The major limiting feature in this area
16 Street, White Hills rezoned from is flooding – the site is currently
& LDRZ to General Residential. subject to the LSIO. Advice from the
29 City's Engineering Unit is that the
The submitter notes that the property
adjoins land zoned General new Scott Street bridge (upstream of
this subject land) has significantly
Residential, availability of services,
proximity to shops and services and reduced the area subject to
inundation.
that flooding issues have been
mitigated with the construction of the The submission is supported and it is
Scott Street bridge. recommended that the area be
rezoned to General Residential
subject to a future Planning Scheme
Amendment.
4& The submissions relate to adjoining The East Bendigo Local Structure
5 properties at 95 and 105 Rohs Road, Plan identifies this area as being for
East Bendigo and seek to rezone the horse agistment activities principally
sites from LDRZ to General to support racing stables that exist in
Residential. the area.
The submitter notes the proximity of There is also limited sewerage
the area to the city centre and the infrastructure in the area.
availability of sewerage and road The LDRZ/FZ Review recommends
access. the removal of the DPO4 that
specifies a 1ha minimum lot size in
the medium term, subject to further
discussion with industry
representatives.
6& The submissions relate to land at 25- The land adjoins the Bendigo
23 47 Backhaus Street, White Hills. The Regional Park and is affected by the
submissions are seeking to have the Bushfire Management Overlay.
land rezoned from LDRZ to General This submission is impacted by
Residential.
Amendment VC140.
A proposed subdivision layout was
The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that this
submitted that indicates a 6 lot
area of Epsom/White Hills is very
subdivision with access off Backhaus
complex from a planning perspective.
Street.
It recommends that a high level plan
The submitter notes that all services with sub-precincts be prepared that
are available, that the lot sizes allow would guide private Planning Scheme
for transition from conventional Amendment requests.
residential to low density residential
and that there are no mining, flooding
or cultural heritage issues affecting
the site.
PAGE 77

7 The submission relates to land at The LDRZ/FZ Review recommends
204-230 Simpsons Road, Eaglehawk. that this site be rezoned to General
Residential in the short term, subject
The owner wants to retain the
to a Planning Scheme Amendment
existing Farming Zone as they do not
intend on developing the land; as it is within the UGB and is
relatively unconstrained.
flooding from the Eaglehawk Creek;
current lack of sewerage and impact Given that there is 25+ years of land
on rates. available for development it is
recommended that there be no
change to the zoning.
This does not preclude a rezoning
request being made at a future stage.
8& Supports the proposed rezoning of a The submissions are supported

35 number of parcels off Goynes Road, subject to a future Planning Scheme
Epsom from part General Residential Amendment.
and part Farming to a General
Residential.
9 The submission relates to land at 308 The Industrial 3 land was not
Sargeants Road, Epsom. The land is considered as part of the LDRZ/FZ
in two zones – Low Density Review.
Residential and Industrial 3. The
Given the lack of interest in the site
submitter is seeking to have the
by industrial developers a LDRZ
entire holding zoned Low Density
might be suitable, however, issues
Residential.
around the buffer to the industrial
The submitter notes a lack of interest properties fronting Station Street
in purchasing the Industrial 3 parcel would need to be addressed as
and infrastructure costs. would the flooding issues.
This submission is impacted in part
by Amendment VC140.
10 The submission relates to land at 343 The NCCMA advises that the limiting
Midland Highway, Epsom that adjoins feature for this site relates to levee
the Epsom Recreation Reserve. The bank and construction standards.
submission seeks to have the land The proximity of the site to the
rezoned from LDRZ to General
Wastewater Treatment Plant is an
Residential. issue that would need to addressed.
The submitter notes that the site is
not subject to drainage/flooding
issues, has dual road access and can
be serviced.
PAGE 78

11 The submission relates to land at The land adjoins the Bendigo
& Bowles Road, Epsom and is seeking Regional Park and is affected by the
28 to have it rezoned from Farming to Bushfire Management Overlay.
General Residential.
The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that this
Draft subdivision layouts were area of Epsom/White Hills is very
submitted. complex from a planning perspective.
It recommends that a high level plan
The submitter notes that site is
with sub-precincts be prepared that
capable of being serviced and is
would guide private Planning Scheme
proximate to open space, shops and
Amendment requests.
schools
Amendment VC140.
12 The submission relates to land at 10- The LDRZ/FZ Review recommended
24 Cohn Street, North Bendigo and is no change to the planning controls in
seeking to have the land rezoned this area based on the bushfire risk,
from LDRZ to General Residential. vegetation and interface with the
The submitter is of the view that the Jackass Flat Nature Conservation
fire risk is relatively low compared to Reserve.
other areas. This view was supported by the CFA
and DELWP.
Amendment VC140.
13 The submission relates to land at Lot The LDRZ/FZ Review recommended
225 Sawmill Road, Huntly and is no change to the planning controls in
seeking to have the land rezoned this area based on the flooding risk.
from LDRZ to General Residential.
This view was supported by the
The submitter notes the availability of NCMA.
services and proximity of the land to
the town centre and primary school.
14 The submission relates to land at 76 The issues raised by the submitter
Racecourse Road, Epsom. It is not have been taken into account when
seeking a rezoning but raises a finalising the implementation plan.
number of issues regarding
development in the area and traffic. No further action is required.
PAGE 79

15 The submission relates to land at 41 The LDRZ/FZ Review recommended
Osborne Lane, Strathfieldsaye. The no change to the planning controls in
submission is not seeking a change this area based on the bushfire risk,
from LDRZ but to amend a planning vegetation and interface with the
control that sets a 2ha minimum lot Greater Bendigo National Park.
size.
This view was supported by the CFA
The submitter is of the view that and DELWP.
bushfire risks can be managed on the
site.
Amendment VC140.
17 The submission relates to land at 30 The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that this
John Street, White Hills and seeks to area of Epsom/White Hills is very
have the land rezoned from LDRZ to complex from a planning perspective.
General Residential. It recommends that a high level plan
with sub-precincts be prepared that
The submitter notes that the
availability of services, proximity to would guide private Planning Scheme
Amendment requests.
shops, services and public transport
and that land opposite is zoned The site can be subdivided into two
General Residential. lots under current planning controls.
Amendment VC140.
18 The submission relates to land at 69- The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that the
75 Williams Road, Myers Flat. area is not serviced and the
ownership of land is also fragmented.
The land is zoned part Low Density
Residential and part Farming. The The land has longer term potential for
submission is seeking to have the rezoning but would require reticulated
entire parcel zoned Low Density services to be provided.
Residential. This submission is impacted by
Amendment VC140.
19 The submission incorporates the The submission is noted.
comments of Transport for Victoria,
Public Transport Victoria and
VicRoads.
The submission supports the
strategic direction of the Greater
Bendigo Housing Strategy and in
particular Complete Neighbourhoods.
PAGE 80

20 The submission seeks to have land at The Implementation Plan notes that
8-12 McIvor Forest Drive, Junortoun Junortoun has significant growth
be rezoned from part Low Density potential and recommends that a
Residential and part General structure plan be prepared to guide
Residential to a General Residential that growth.
Zone.
The submitter notes that all services
are available, the land is proximate to
a number of schools and there are
limited environmental constraints.
21 The submission relates to the Lansell The submission is consistent with the
Crest site at 39-51 Lansell Street, Implementation Plan. The land has
East Bendigo and supports the sites been subject to a recent Panel
designation as a Key Development Hearing relating to a Planning
Site. Scheme Amendment, which Council
has adopted and forwarded to the
Minister for Planning seeking
approval.
22 The submission relates to land at 244 The Commercial 1 Zone would allow
Edwards Road, Maiden Gully and a greater range of uses that would
supports the site's designation as a better serve the daily needs of
Key Development Site. residents. The scale of the activity
centre is such that it will not
The submission also seeks to have compromise the existing retail
the town centre identified as being hierarchy.
zoned Commercial 1 rather than
Mixed Use. The submission is supported subject
to a future Planning Scheme
Amendment.
24 The submission relates to land at 54- The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that this
62 St Killian Street and 89-123 area of Epsom/White Hills is very
Plumridge Street, White Hills. The complex from a planning perspective.
submission is seeking to have the It recommends that a high level plan
land rezoned from LDRZ to General with sub-precincts be prepared that
Residential. would guide private Planning Scheme
Amendment requests.
A proposed subdivision layout was
submitted that indicates a 46 lot This submission is impacted by
subdivision. Amendment VC140.
The submitter notes that the land The submission is not supported.
opposite is in a General Residential
Zone, that there is limited native
vegetation, that existing dwellings
can be incorporated into a
subdivision layout and that all
services are available.
PAGE 81

25 The submission relates to land at The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that this
136-142 St Killian Street, 18-30 area of Epsom/White Hills is very
Backhaus Street and 26-52 James complex from a planning perspective.
Street, White Hills. It recommends that a high level plan
The submission is seeking to have with sub-precincts be prepared that
the land rezoned from LDRZ to
General Residential. Amendment requests.
The submitter notes that the area is a
Amendment VC140.
logical extension to an existing
residential area, there is limited The submission is not supported.
native vegetation, there is evidence
of mining, flood or cultural heritage
issues and the land can be serviced.
26 The submission relates to land in The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that
Kronk Street, Maiden Gully and there are potential constraints in
seeks to have the land rezoned from relation to this area relating to
LDRZ to General Residential. infrastructure and access. The area
is also subject to the revised BMO
The submitter notes that the site can
mapping.
be serviced, has good access and
better development potential than These issues would need to be
other sites that have been identified. resolved prior to any rezoning.
Amendment VC140.
27 The submission relates to land at 21 The submission is supported subject
& and 31 Allen Street, Epsom and to a future Planning Scheme
34 supports the proposed rezoning of Amendment.
the land from LDRZ to General
Residential.
30 The submission continues to The need for a social housing policy

advocate for the preparation of a is identified as further work to be
social housing policy which is undertaken.
identified as further strategic work in
The submission is supported and this
the Housing Strategy.
work will commence in the coming
months.
31 This was a proforma submission that These submissions will be addressed
supports the progression of the as part of the Amendment to
Maiden Gully Precinct Structure Plan implement the Maiden Gully PSP.
(PSP).
PAGE 82

32 This submission relates to land at 92- The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that this
104 Jacob Street, White Hills and area of Epsom/White Hills is very
seeks to have the land rezoned from complex from a planning perspective.
LDRZ to General Residential. It recommends that a high level plan
The submitter notes that all with sub-precincts be prepared that
reticulated services are available and
the site is accessible by sealed Amendment requests.
roads.
Amendment VC140.
33 The submission relates to the The Housing Strategy advocated for

Adventcare site at 386-394 High the use of the General Residential
Street, Golden Square. Zone and an overlay to achieve
The submission supports the appropriate densities and design for
rationalisation of planning controls on the Key Development Sites.
the site that will facilitate its However, the new minimum garden
redevelopment. area requirements (which now form
Expressed concerns with the part of the provisions of the zone
proposed Design and Development through a recent Ministerial
Overlay and the impacts that it will Amendment) could have a significant
have on the redevelopment of the impact on the desired densities of
site. these areas and the use of the
Residential Growth Zone might be
The submission also notes that the most appropriate tool.
recent changes to the General
Residential Zone will impact on the Work is to commence on a
development potential of the Key coordinated process to progressively
Development Sites and that the implement a neighbourhood
Residential Growth Zone might be a revitalisation program for Golden
more appropriate planning controls Square in the new year and this issue
for these sites. and the future of this site could be
investigated in more detail as part of
this.
The submission is supported in part.
36 Supports the need for greater The submission is noted.

diversity in housing types to support
the changing needs of the
community. Strong support also for
Complete Neighbourhoods.
PAGE 83

37 This submission relates to land at 58 The LDRZ/FZ Review notes that this
Watson and 64-88 James Streets, area of Epsom/White Hills is very
White Hills and seeks to have the complex from a planning perspective.
land rezoned from Farming and Low It recommends that a high level plan
Density Residential to General with sub-precincts be prepared that
Residential. would guide private Planning Scheme
A concept plan was also submitted Amendment requests.
that indicates a 110 lot subdivision. This submission is impacted by
The submission notes that it is a Amendment VC140.
large holding in a single ownership; The submission is not supported.
any bushfire risk can be managed on
site; there are limited environmental
constraints and the site is able to be
serviced.
38 This submission raises a number of The most recent estimates of land

land development issues: supply are that Greater Bendigo has
• Concern about the amount of land 25+ years supply which well exceeds
available for future residential State Government requirements.
development; The need to review planning controls
• Need to review “restrictive” in areas where growth is encouraged
planning controls in areas where has been identified in the Housing
growth is encouraged; Strategy.
• Any Development Contributions
Plan levy should not be so high as The comment on DCPs is noted and
to inhibit development; the role of the Residential
• The need to engage a Residential Development Facilitator has been put
Development Facilitator to forward as a budget bid for the
encourage the development of the 2018/19 budget.
key sites; The use of the UGB is widely
• Opposes the “concept” of an recognised as an appropriate tool to
Urban Growth Boundary. manage outward growth and was
implemented via Amendment C215.
39 Supports the draft Implementation The submission is noted.
Plan.
PAGE 84

40 Supports the draft Implementation Advice is being sought on the other
Plan and makes some specific Crown locations that might be
comments: suitable for future residential
• A number of Crown land sites that development.
might be suitable for residential The other two points in the
development have been identified; submission are agreed with.
• Need to link the Housing Strategy
to the Public Space Plan; The submission is supported.
• Need for careful consideration in
planning for the former mine sites.
41 The submission relates to land at 5 The East Bendigo Local Structure
Dean Close, East Bendigo and seeks Plan identifies this area as being for
a rezoning of the land from Low horse agistment activities, principally
Density Residential to General to support racing stables that exist in
Residential. the area.
The submission notes the proximity There is also limited sewerage
of the site to shops and schools, infrastructure in the area.
nearby employment opportunities and The LDRZ/FZ Review recommends
availability of infrastructure.
the removal of the DPO4 that
specifies a 1ha minimum lot size in
the medium term subject to further
discussion with industry
representatives.
The site is further complicated by the
fact it adjoins the Bendigo Airport and
a rezoning could create potential
future land use conflicts.
42 The submissions relate to land north This area has been identified as
& of Cherry Tree Lane, Kangaroo Flat having potential for future residential
45 and is seeking to have the land growth.
included in the Urban Growth
Given the current level of land supply
Boundary or included within a
the land is not needed in the short to
General Residential Zone. medium term.
The submission refers to the past This submission is impacted by
planning history of the site, the
Amendment VC140.
surrounding urban development and
that site constraints could be The submission is not supported.
addressed through the planning
process.
PAGE 85

43 The submission relates to land This area has been identified as
proximate to the Goldsmiths Road, having potential for future residential
Eaglehawk and seeking to have the growth.
land included within the Urban
Given the current level of land supply
Growth Boundary. the land is not needed in the short to
The submission notes the proximity medium term.
of the site to existing residential
development and commercial
Amendment VC140.
services and access to the area.
44 The submission relates to land at 713 The Implementation Plan notes that
McIvor Highway, Junortoun and is Junortoun has significant growth
seeking a rezoning from Low Density potential and recommends that a
Residential to General Residential. structure plan be prepared to guide
that growth.
The submission notes the availability
of reticulated services and access to A permit has been issued for an 18
shops, schools and public transport. lot subdivision under the current zone
provisions.
PAGE 86

46 The submission supports the concept It is acknowledged that building
of a Compact Bendigo but notes that community acceptance of the need
there are practical difficulties in the for greater diversity in housing stock
short term to achieving this including: will take time and there are a number
• Lack of community acceptance of of ways the City can help achieve
medium density housing and the this, including communicating how
need for Council and the housing needs are changing;
development industry to better promoting examples of well-
promote the benefits of this form designed, medium density housing;
of housing. and having appropriate planning tools
• Reluctance to build innovative in place to encourage innovative
housing forms due to adverse forms of housing.
community reaction and potential The points in the submission about
delays in the decision making housing targets are acknowledged
process. and have been included in the
• Need to have clear targets to Implementation Plan.
measure the success in delivering
housing diversity. The draft DDO has been removed
• Further refinement is needed on from the Implementation Plan and an
the opportunities and constraints alternative approach for master
of the Key Development Sites. planning the Key Development Sites
is proposed.
• Further refinement is required on
the draft Design and Development The need for a dedicated resource to
Overlay. get the Key Development Sites
• The Low Density/Farming Review market ready is still advocated for
should use a similar assessment and will be part of the 2018/19 budget
matrix to the Key Development deliberations.
Sites.
• Support for the appointment of a
Residential Development
Facilitator to get the Key
Development Sites “market
ready”.
PAGE 87

47 The submission relates to the Ravenswood Run is isolated from the
Ravenswood Run site. Bendigo urban area and was not
considered as part of the Housing
The submission advises that master
planning for the site has commenced Strategy Implementation Plan.
and is considering infrastructure
items such as a golf course, railway Any rezoning of this site would also
station, a private school, equestrian be inconsistent with the Greater
Bendigo Residential Strategy (2014).
facilities and the like.
The submission notes that a new This submission is impacted by
town in this location can provide for a Amendment VC140.
range of housing types, a future
activity centre, affordable housing
and would fill a ‘market gap’.
The submission requests that the site
be considered as an investigation
site.
PAGE 88

48 The submission raises a number of • The land supply data prepared by
concerns with the Implementation DELWP indicates that there is
Plan from a land development sufficient land available to
perspective: accommodate growth for 25+
• The current framework will not years. This includes both
provide for a population of greenfield and infill development.
200,000 and the Implementation • A matrix for assessing the Key
Plan may disrupt the supply of Development Sites has been
greenfield land. prepared and discussed with
• Further refinement is needed for members of the UDIA.
the list of Key Development Sites. • The draft DDO has been removed
• The draft Design and from the Implementation Plan and
Development Overlay needs an alternative approach for master
further refinement and detail. planning the Key Development
• There is underutilised land that is Sites is proposed.
in the “too hard” basket (although • A number of the Key
no examples are given of such Development Sites are in the “too
sites/locations). hard” basket and the role of the
• Need for objectives, targets and Residential Development
mechanisms for meeting housing Facilitator would identify further
diversity figures. sites.
• Supports the proposed review of • The need for housing diversity
the Residential Character Policies targets is agreed and has been
as part of the Planning Scheme included within the
Review. Implementation Plan.
• Need to better promote the need • The other matters identified in the
for well-designed higher density submission are supported.
living.
• Revisit the use of the Residential The submission is supported in part.
Growth Zone.
• Support for the appointment of a
Residential Development
Facilitator.
• Supports the regular monitoring of
the housing market.
PAGE 89

49 The submission relates to land at 277 A submission was made to
Ryalls Lane, Strathfieldsaye. The Amendment C137 that implemented
land is zoned part Low Density the Strathfieldsaye Township Plan to
Residential and part General have this land rezoned.
Residential. The submission is Council did not support this at the
seeking to have the land included
time because of the vegetation and
entirely within the General fire issues. The Panel supported this
Residential Zone.
position.
In support if the submission it is noted
There has been no material change
that:
of circumstances since this time that
• The vegetation to the west is of would warrant a change to this
low environmental significance. position.
• Any risk associated with bushfire
can be managed. The submission is not supported.
50 The submission relates to land at 200 The LDRZ/FZ Review does not
Loddon Valley Highway, Sailors support a rezoning of this area due to
Gully. The land is zoned Low Density the fragmented landownership, lack
Residential and the schedule to the of sewerage infrastructure and
zones specifies a minimum lot size of bushfire risk.
2 hectares. This submission is impacted by
The submission is seeking to have Amendment VC140.
the minimum lot size restriction The submission is not supported.
removed to allow the site to be
subdivided. In support of the
submission it is noted that:
• The declining health of the land
owner
• Demand for housing in the area.
Maiden Gully
During the development of the Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy (2014) and Greater
Bendigo Housing Strategy (2016) there was some landowner interest in re-subdivision of
existing parcels of land in parts of Maiden Gully to the west of Monsants Road (as
identified on the map below).
PAGE 90
This area is currently zoned General Residential and has a Design and Development
Overlay 10 (DDO10) that sets a minimum lot size of 1,500m2.
The impact of the removal of the DDO10 is that further subdivision of land would be
possible in the area.
During the exhibition process landowners in the area were contacted to determine if
there is support for the removal of the DDO10. This exercise “tested the water” to
determine if there is a level of support for the proposal and if there was general support
this could be carried forward into the final Implementation Plan.
The City wrote to the 350 landowners to ascertain their views. A pro-forma notice was
provided where landowners could agree, disagree or indicate that they weren’t
concerned either way with the removal of the DDO10.
As a result of that process, 125 landowners disagreed with the removal of the DDO10,
29 were supportive and 4 weren’t concerned. Given the degree of opposition it is
recommended that the DDO10 remain in place.
Land Supply Report
State Planning Policy requires Councils to plan for population growth over a 15 year
period. In practice this means having sufficient land zoned for residential development or
identified as being suitable for future residential growth and therefore able to be zoned.
PAGE 91
DELWP has a unit called the “Urban Development Program” that prepares assessments
of how much land is available for development – land supply. The methodology that the
Urban Development Program uses is detailed and widely recognised by the development
industry.
The Urban Development Program is generally focussed on monitoring land supply in

Melbourne but were approached to undertake this work in Greater Bendigo. Their
assessment has identified that Greater Bendigo has 25+ years of land available for
residential development (both zoned and unzoned). This assessment takes into account:
• Existing infill opportunities
• Land set aside for residential development in areas such as Strathfieldsaye, Epsom,
Huntly, Maiden Gully and Marong
• That about 15% of Greater Bendigo’s residential development needs are also met
through development in small towns and rural areas.
Essentially this means that Council is under no immediate pressure to identify a new
residential growth front.
Changes to the GBHS and Implementation Plan
The adopted Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy and the Implementation Plan have been
combined into a single document.
As a result of the submissions received; further investigations; and recent changes to the
Planning Scheme, a number of changes are recommended to the GBHS/Implementation
Plan prior to adoption. These changes are summarised as follows:
• Update the document with 2016 Census data;
• Discussion around the impact of the new state wide minimum garden area
requirements in the General Residential Zone;
• Discussion around the impacts of Amendment VC140;
• Updated land supply information from DELWP;
• Responding to issues arising from submissions;
• Removal of the Design and Development Overlay for the Key Development Sites;
• Clearer guidance around the master planning of the Key Development Sites;
• Guidance around the rezoning of particular sites;
• Details of further work to be undertaken.
Next Steps
The updated Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy will be implemented into the Greater
Bendigo Planning Scheme as part of the Planning Scheme Review that is currently
underway.
The GBHS also paves the way for landowner/developer led rezoning requests and early
discussion of any rezoning proposal with the City is encouraged.
This project is of high priority and importance. There is a need to provide clear direction
to the community, developers and other stakeholders in regards to future housing.
PAGE 92
Impending announcements from the State Government with regard to housing could
further accelerate the need to be proactive in this area.
Timelines:
The preparation of the Planning Scheme Review is scheduled to take until mid-2019,
however private amendment requests to implement the recommendations to specific
sites can be lodged at any stage.
Risk Analysis:
There may be an adverse community reaction to various aspects of the implementation

of the Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy and these would be considered in detail as part
of a future Planning Scheme Amendment.
In preparing responses to the submissions, consultation was undertaken internally with

Planning, Engineering and Parks and Open Space.
In preparing responses to the submissions, consultation was undertaken with the

Country Fire Authority, North Central Catchment Management Authority, Department of
Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Coliban Water.
Previous Council Support:
Past funding commitments related to the Greater Bendigo Residential Strategy (2014)
and the Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy (2016).
There will be a future cost involved in the Planning Scheme Amendment to implement
the final Housing Strategy that will be undertaken as part of the Planning Scheme
Review.
Attachments
1. Greater Bendigo Housing Strategy Implementation Plan
PAGE 93
Environmental Sustainability - Reports Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
5. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
5.1 HUNTLY AND CROSBIE PLANTATIONS - FARM FORESTRY

FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Author Tania MacLeod, Project Officer - Arboriculture
Responsible Debbie Wood, Acting Director Presentation and Assets

Director
Summary/Purpose
The City of Greater Bendigo owns and manages two commercial and three non-
commercial urban forestry plantations across Greater Bendigo. These are:
• Commercial plantation in Huntly: 152 hectares planted in 2000.
• Commercial plantation at Crosbie: 87 hectares planted in 2003.
• Three urban plantations along the Long Gully Creek: Total of 11.3 hectares
established between April and October 2001.
The purpose of this report is to provide background information on the plantations to

seek Council direction on the future management of these sites.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council:
1. commit resources to continue saw log operations at the Huntly and Crosbie
forestry plantation sites, undertake essential silvicultural operations and fund
ongoing management; and
2. manage the three urban plantations along the Long Gully Creek as public open
space.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context
2017-2021 Greater Bendigo Community Plan
Goal 1: Council will lead and govern for all
PAGE 94
Effective community engagement guides well informed, responsive decision-making and

financially responsible resource allocations and processes that are transparent and
accountable.
1.3 Council will be innovative and financially responsible.

1.3.2. Council will ensure value for investment on behalf of the community.
1.4 Council will be accountable and efficient in its use of the community's money.
In 1996 the City of Greater Bendigo purchased 242 hectares of land in Huntly for use as
a future landfill. It is understood that the establishment of a commercial tree operation on
the land was seen as a worthwhile venture until which time the landfill was required.
Following the success of establishing of trees at Huntly in 1999-2000, Council invested in
establishing 11.3 ha of production forest on crown land in three degraded urban sites
along Long Gully Creek in 2001. In 2002, the City of Greater Bendigo purchased a
further 129 ha in Toolleen (referred to hereafter as Crosbie) specifically for a commercial
forestry operation on which 89 ha of trees were planted in 2003.
The primary purpose of both the commercial and urban forestry plantations was to
produce high quality commercial wood products with associated recreational, educational
and ecological benefits. Both commercial sites are freehold land zoned as farming zone
(FZ), whilst the three urban forestry sites are on Crown Land for which the City of
Greater Bendigo is the committee of management.
The Huntly site shares a boundary with the Greater Bendigo National Park and is within
550 meters of the Whipstick Nature Conservation Reserve. There are six known sites
within the Huntly plantation that are listed on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register.
These sites have been disturbed twice by Council staff undertaking grading operations
and on occasions, by the adjacent pony club accessing the site for equestrian activities.
The existence of these sites compounded by the proximity of the site to the National Park
has inhibited any future plans for a landfill.
There have been many different Council views on the plantations since their
establishment. Following a plantation valuation undertaken in 2013, Council decided to
divest in commercial forestry operations as the valuation revealed a poor return on
investment.
Action from Councillor’s Forum meeting held on 6 April 2016:- Darren Fuzzard advised
that he would provide a further report on the management of the forestry plantations
within the next six months.
PAGE 95
Report
Commercial Plantations at Crosbie and Huntly
A detailed manual was prepared in 2010 (Quale, 2010) to guide the management of the
Huntly and Crosbie plantations in order to yield the highest possible quality wood
product. Forestry operations were completed as prescribed at both Huntly and Crosbie
in 2011 to 2012. These operations included pruning and thinning (the removal of
ineffectual stems) in order to reduce competition between trees and increase the growth
rate and quality of the target trees for saw log production.
As per the manual, the final thinning operation was scheduled to occur in 2015 to reach
the final stocking rate of 130 trees per hectare. These remaining trees would then be
pruned to a clear height of 6.5m and left to grow until the trees reach a sufficient size to
be harvested for high quality saw logs. The earlier the thinning and pruning works are
undertaken, the more cost effective the overall operation.
No funds have been allocated to undertake forestry operations since 2013, impacting on
the productivity and quality of the crop and pushing out the ultimate harvest date. Rough
measurements undertaken by Council officers suggest that the annual diameter growth
of target trees, has been less than 1cm since active management of the plantations
ceased in 2013, indicating that the growth of the plantations has stagnated.
Further impacting on the growth of the target trees is competition from the regrowth of
previously thinned trees. A previous attempt to control the regrowth was unsuccessful
and as a result regrowth is now as high as eight meters in some plots. This means that
the regrowth will now need to be controlled through the use of machinery and spot
spraying, rather than spot spraying alone, significantly increasing the cost from $250 per
hectare to an estimated $540 per hectare.
Final harvest was initially predicted to be at age 25 (2025-2028), however failure to

undertake essential operations will continue to delay the harvest date and return on
investment. Provided competition within the plantations is controlled, it could be possible
to achieve annual diameter growth of target stems of more than 2cm. Should the
required forestry operations be undertaken in the immediate future, final harvest could be
expected to occur between 2030 and 2040.
It should be noted however that the ultimate harvest date is contingent on many climatic,
environmental, management and organisational factors and cannot easily be predicted.
It is also not possible to predict future markets or the eventual realised price of the timber
resource.
PAGE 96
Firewood is a secondary market for waste generated from forestry operations. There is
an existing contract between the City of Greater Bendigo and local organisation
wood4good to have all thinning operations carried out at no cost to Council, whist
receiving royalties from the sale of associated timber products. This five year
arrangement, which ceases on 30 June 2018, is contingent on the Parks and Natural
Reserves Unit controlling regrowth from thinned stems both for accessibility and to
eliminate competition to allow target stems to grow to their full potential. As no resources
have been allocated to control regrowth, the contractor cannot access the site and
thinning operations have stalled. As such, no royalties have been generated from this
partnership.
Trees across both sites are healthy with no signs of pest or disease, however growth in
some parts is variable. There are some issues with poor form, particularly with trees at
the Huntly site, however most plantings of Ironbark and Sugar Gum which make up the
majority of the plantation estate, are worthy of continued management as a timber
resource. In general, productivity at Crosbie site appears superior and past forestry
operations have occurred in a timelier manner leading to trees and logs of a better form
and quality.
Not all species planted at Huntly and Crosbie are considered to have a commercial
value. Plantings of Myall, Black Wattle, Yate, Red Gum and Grey Box were planted as
trial species and have never been actively managed as a commercial crop. Most of the
trial species have poor form and slow growth rates and some, such as the Black Wattle,
have completely failed.
The presence of a number of Aboriginal sites of significance on title will affect future use
of the Huntly site and its potential resale value. There is also an agreement in place with
the Huntly Equine Reserve Committee Inc., to utilise a portion of the land until 2020 and
an existing agreement with DELWP, to actively manage environmental plantings on site
until 2021. Given the above, there is merit in looking at an alternative management
regime for the Huntly site, than what was initially envisaged such as firewood,
environmental offsets, education and recreation.
In their current form, the plantations themselves cannot generate any income from
carbon credits as there is no market for existing plantations of monoculture crops.
Similarly, programs such as BushBroker that aim to establish, register and trade native
vegetation credits apply to native forest only. There is however, 14.5 ha of land within
the Huntly site that has been formally registered on the State’s Offset Credit Register and
is used when vegetation is removed for internal projects. This includes areas of the site
that have been purposely planted with native species as an offset reserve and are under
active management as part of a ten year management plan to 2021.
The City of Greater Bendigo is obligated through an agreement with DELWP to

contribute offsets in the form of new plantings on Council managed land when native
vegetation is removed for Council projects. Since this agreement was introduced in
2009, required offsets have reached 45,852 of which 28,000 have been offset by new
plantings. Council requires an additional 17,852 offsets based on the Victorian
Revegetation Planting Standards from new plantings to meet its obligations, plus those
generated from future operations. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find suitable land
for bulk plantings and there is concern that the City of Greater Bendigo will not meet the
requirements of the agreement if more revegetation is not carried out.
PAGE 97
There is potential for bulk offset planting at both commercial sites to reduce the need to
acquire land elsewhere to fulfil Council’s obligations. Such plantings could enhance
existing offset plantings at the Huntly site, ameliorate erosion along internal watercourses
and protect identified sites of cultural significance.
Whilst the primary purpose of the forestry plantations was to provide high quality
sawlogs, it was envisaged that they would also provide a valuable education, research
and extension resource for local landholder and research institutions. Although this
option hasn’t been fully explored, both plantations provide great opportunities for local
farm forestry groups and there has been some interest from tertiary institutions. There is
also potential for recreation at the Huntly site with evidence that the adjacent equestrian
club is continuing to access the site.
Urban Forest Plantations
In 2001, the City of Greater Bendigo in conjunction with the former department of Natural
Resources and Environment (DNRE) established plantations on three urban sites on the
Long Gully Creek (Appendix 1c). All three sites are on Crown Land for which City of
Greater Bendigo is the committee of management. The sites were chosen as they were
heavily degraded characterised by poor soils, thick weed cover, high fire risk, lack of
native vegetation, high levels salinity, poor biodiversity and lack of recreational and
aesthetic appeal. The objectives of the project were to demonstrate the practical
benefits of production forestry within an urban setting by maintaining high value forest
products and rehabilitating degraded land with productive native tree species. Trees
were also established along the creek line to be retained for environmental reasons.
The absence of required forestry works to support the initial objective of a high quality
commercial crop has resulted in poorly formed trees no longer suitable for high quality
timber products. Despite receiving minimal levels of maintenance since their
establishment, the sites have been positively transformed, producing many benefits for
the environment and local community whilst reducing management costs over time. The
growth of the trees has significantly suppressed weed growth, curbed erosion, reduced
fire risk and created habitat for native fauna. The plantings have also significantly
improved the aesthetic and recreation appeal of the sites. For these reasons, it is
recommended that all three urban sites be maintained as public open space.
Options
Commercial Plantations
Future management of the Huntly and Crosbie plantations is contingent on Council’s

ongoing commitment to managing the sites as a commercial operation. Options for
future management of the two sites are outlined below:
PAGE 98
Huntly
1. Continue with saw log operation, commit to undertaking essential silvicultural

operations and fund on-going management until harvest in order to realise the
greatest financial return. Full saw log potential and firewood return at 2014 royalties
could be expected to yield $1M gross. Actively seek alternative uses for blocks of
species not suitable for management as a saw log crop.
2. Do not commit to the final round of silvicultural operation and realise a return of
firewood at eventual harvest, estimated in 2014 values at $590k. Commit funds
annually until harvest for insurance, fuel reduction and plantation maintenance.
3. Repurpose existing plantations. Establish areas of bulk offset revegetation

planting to help Council meet its obligations for native vegetation removal, to protect
areas of cultural significance and to restore degraded and unproductive land on site.
4. Sell the land with trees. The current insured crop plus land improved value at
Huntly is approx. $1.5M. Note that the presence of sites of cultural significance plus
areas of the land under management agreements may impact on resale value and
appeal to investors.
5. Lease the land to other suitable forestry, farming or recreational operations. Further
investigation is required to scope this option.
6. A combination of the above.
Crosbie
1. Continue with saw log operation, commit to undertaking essential silvicultural

operations and fund on-going management. Potential saw log return at today’s
royalty rates $900k gross.
2. Do not commit to the final round of forestry operations and realise a return of
firewood at eventual harvest, estimated in today’s values at $370k. Commit funds
annually until harvest for insurance, fuel reduction and plantation maintenance.
3. Repurpose existing plantations. Establish areas of bulk offset revegetation

planting to meet Council’s future vegetation clearing obligations and to restore
degraded and unproductive land on site.
4. Sell the land with trees. The current insured crop plus land improved value at
Crosbie is approximately $535k. The productivity and log quality is superior at the
Crosbie site potentially making the site more attractive to investors.
5. Lease the land to other suitable forestry, farming or recreational operations. Further
investigation is required to scope this option.
6. A combination of the above.
PAGE 99
Urban Forestry Sites
1. Retain the existing trees for their environmental, recreational and aesthetic
benefits and allocate budget for recurrent management as public open space.
Management would include thinning to open up the stands of trees so they become
more welcoming, park-like environments as well as some weed control and fuel
reduction.
Risk Analysis:
There are a number of identified risks with the different management options for the
plantations.
Should the commercial operations be continued, the largest risk would be the failure to
attract a lucrative return from sawlog and firewood royalties at harvest. Failure to commit
to timely forestry operations will continue to impact on plantation management costs,
timber quality and harvest date. Post-harvest, there is the risk of re-establishment of
weeds and increased fuel loads before a subsequent crop or planting is re-established.
By ceasing commercial operations, Council risks losing a return on the substantial

investment of resources that have been allocated to the operation to date. There is also
a reputational risk as there is a community expectation that a financial return will be
generated plus a failure to adequately manage the sites for their intended purpose.
Other risks include the failure of Council to acquire additional land to meet its obligations
under an agreement with DELWP to supply offsets for the removal of native vegetation
on Council managed land and further disturbance of areas of cultural significance on the
Huntly site.
This report has been compiled with vital input from Daniel McWilliam, Team Leader
Arboriculture, who has a long association with the inception and management of the
forestry plantations. Further information has been supplied by:
• Adrian Doye, Native Vegetation Assessment Officer

• Anthony Sheehan, Senior Environment Officer
• John Salter, Co-ordinator Risk
• Mark Eeles, Asset and Energy Accountant
• Rob Lamond, Leading Hand Arboriculture
• Rosemary Broad, Risk Management Officer
N/A
PAGE 100
Previous Council Funding
Year Description Council

Spend
1996 Huntly site purchased by council for $275,000 as a future $275K
landfill site.
1999- Huntly plantation established with council funds, following a $250K
2000 council resolution with in kind support from the DSE in the
form of a Forestry Extension Officer.
2002/2003 Crosbie site purchased specifically for commercial forestry. $192K
Crosbie plantation established with capital funding from
Council ($192K including land purchase) and a state
government grant ($66K).
Since Council has committed $832K to operating costs for the 2 $832K
2002/03 plantations plus and additional $15K from the state
government.
Of the $847K allocated to forestry operating costs over this

period:
• $661K has been spent on direct forestry operations.

• $106K has been spent of overheads including insurance,
levies, fencing, valuations, consultants, fencing, grading
of internal roads and fuel reduction.
• $80K has been spent on amenities for the adjacent Pony
Club.
2013 Council funding for forestry operations ceased. As a result, N/A
no active management of the plantation has occurred since.
Since Insurance costs. $14K
2013
Total $1.56M
Table 1: Council investment in commercial forestry at Huntly and Crosbie.
Council has invested over $1.28M into the establishment and maintenance of the
commercial plantations since purchasing the Huntly site in 1996. These figures do not
include wages of Council staff engaged to undertake previous forestry operations.
There has been no allocated budget for the management of the plantations since 2013
and hence all active management has ceased. Budget bids since 2013 to undertake
forestry operations have all been unsuccessful. These were:
• 2016/17 $80,000 as part of 4 year projected costs of $170K

• 2015/16 $80,000 as part of 4 year projected costs of $170K
PAGE 101
Current Value
A valuation by Hugh Stewart Consulting estimated the net value of the Crosbie and
Huntly plantations to be $55,631 at 30 June 2014. The valuation provided did not
include land values or improvements on the land such as fencing, but factored in all
operational costs. A current valuation of the two commercial plantations would cost
approximately $3,500 plus costs involved in collecting tree growth data to enable the
valuations to be done.
The current combined improved land value of the plantations is $1.1M with a current
combined insured value of the plantations (trees only) of $395,000. Refer to Table 2
over page:
Commercial Plantation
Current Insured Value
Improved Land Value
Improved Land Value

Plantation Age (yrs)
Improved land value

Year purchased
Purchase Price
Land Size (ha)
Year Planted
(trees only)
Area (ha)
Site
2001
2014
2017
Huntly 236 121.6 1996 1999- 18 $255,000 $275,000 $300,000 $708,000 $717,000
2000
Crosbie 129 84.8 2002 2003 14 $140,000 $170,000 $160,000 $395,000 $395,000
Table 2: The City of Greater Bendigo’s plantation estate.
A schedule of rates for forestry operations is included in the existing contract for the
Provision of Tree Maintenance Works. Using these rates, the forestry operations
required to be undertaken should a commercial venture remain Council’s preferred
option for the plantations, has been estimated to cost approximately $190,000 over the
next six years. Refer to Table 3 below:
Operation Plots Area (ha) Cost
Year 1
Regrowth Control All commercial (grooming + spraying) 206.4 104,900
Thinning Huntly Sugar Gum 39.6 2,326
Pruning Huntly Ironbark, Huntly Sugar Gum 1 & 2 66.3 11,550
$118,776
PAGE 102
Year 2
Regrowth Control Huntly Sugar Sum 39.6 9,900
Thinning Huntly Ironbark 38.7 2,003
Pruning Huntly Sugar Gum, Crosbie Ironbark 74.0 11,550
$23,453
Year 3
Regrowth Control Huntly Ironbark 38.7 9,675
Thinning Huntly Ironbark 4 & 10, Crosbie Sugar Gum 3-5 48.3 1,746
Pruning Huntly Sheoak, Crosbie Sugar Gum 1 17.3 2,394
$13,815
Year 4
Huntly Ironbark 4 & 10, Crosbie Sugar Gum 3 &
Regrowth Control 4 40.5 10,125
Thinning Crosbie Ironbark 2, Crosbie Sugar Gum 1 & 2 31.8 1,107
Pruning Crosbie Sugar Gum 2 6.7 1,050
$12,282
Year 5
Regrowth Control Crosbie Ironbark 2, Crosbie Sugar Gum 1,2 & 5 39.6 9,900
Thinning Huntly Sheoak, Crosbie Ironbark 1,3,4,5 33.6 2,120
Pruning Crosbie Sugar Gum 3 4.5 1,050
$13,070
Year 6
Regrowth Control Crosbie Ironbark 1, 3, 4, 5 25.3 6,325
Thinning N/A 0 0
Pruning Crosbie Sugar Gum 4 & 5 23.2 2,100
$8,425
TOTAL over 6 years $189,821
Table 3: Forestry operating costs based on a direct saw log regime, 2013 valuation and on
the schedule of rates in existing contract.
Annual costs for the ongoing maintenance of the 206.4 hectares managed for timber in
2014 was estimated to be $115 per hectare. This estimation included insurance, fire
protection works, valuation, inventory and management overheads but excludes direct
forest operations. Council also spends an additional $5000 a year maintaining internal
roads and non-commercial plantings. At today’s rates, it is estimated that it would cost a
total of $29,000 per year to maintain both plantations until harvest.
Provided essential forestry operations are carried out, final harvest could be expected to
occur between 2030-2040. Total future costs of to realise a commercial return from
sawlogs will include:
• Forestry operations over six years to achieve final stocking rate: $190,000
• Yearly plantation maintenance and overheads: $29,000 per year
A budget bid for $311,000 is current being considered to undertake essential operations
at both plantations over the next four financial years to continue to support a commercial
operation. This includes all forestry operations, maintenance and management costs of
both sites and comprises;
PAGE 103
• Year 1 (2018/19) $154,000

• Year 2 $59,000
• Year 3 $49,000
• Year 4 $49,000
Further investigation is required to scope out the financial implications of non-commercial

ventures on the sites including the establishment of offset plantings and exploring
markets for land sales and leasing.
Conclusion
Whilst it is difficult to predict future markets and return on the timber resource from the
City of Greater Bendigo’s two commercial plantations, failure to commit to essential
forestry operations will continue to impact of the quality of the product and further delay
final harvest date. Forestry operations to ensure best quality saw log production and
greatest financial return to the City cannot progress unless regrowth is treated to allow
for essential works to proceed.
A number of options have been put forward for the future management of the forestry
plantations to facilitate a Council resolution.
Attachments
1. Maps
a. Huntly plantation
b. Crosbie plantation
c. Urban plantation sites
2. Photos
a. Commercial plantations
b. Urban plantations
PAGE 104
References
City of Greater Bendigo Farm Forestry Project Progress Report – April 2010
Clarke, N. (2008), Proposed future use of Council’s tree farm property by a pony club:
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Issues, Clarkeology, Lethbridge, Victoria.
Spicatum Resources, (2014), City of Greater Bendigo Urban Forestry Project –

Management Recommendations, 2014, Spicatum Resources Australia Pty Ltd.
Quayle, S. (2010). City of Greater Bendigo Plantation Management Investigation.

Bendigo: communityvibe.
Quayle, S. (2010), City of Greater Bendigo Plantation Management Manual.
Reid, R. (2012). Initial report on the performance and potential of the Huntly and Crosbie
farm forestry sites for the City of Greater Bendigo. Balwyn East, Victoria: Agroforestry
Insight Pty Ltd.
Stewart, H. (2013). Valuation of forestry plantations owned by the City of Greater

Bendigo. Strathmore, Victoria: Hugh Stewart Consulting.
Woodward, M. (2006), Management Guidelines for City of Greater Bendigo Forestry

Plantations at Huntly and Knowsley, Afforest Consulting.
PAGE 105
Embracing Our Culture and Heritage - Reports Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
6. EMBRACING OUR CULTURE AND HERITAGE
6.1 GREATER BENDIGO HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TERMS

OF REFERENCE
Author Trevor Budge, Manager, Regional Sustainable Development

Dannielle Orr, Heritage Planner, Regional Sustainable Development
Responsible Bernie O’Sullivan, Director, Strategy and Growth

Director
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to recommend to this Council an increase in the number of
community members on the Committee from 9 to ‘up to 10’ and to formally appoint the
nominated list of community members to the Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisory
Committee, following an Expression of Interest and interview process.
Summary
Heritage (embracing built, Indigenous and natural environment) is a key element of the
liveability of the City of Greater Bendigo. The Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisory
Committee (HAC) is an Advisory Committee to Council.
The Terms of Reference of the Greater Bendigo HAC describes its purpose to:
• Provide advice to Council’s strategic planning processes, as required, to ensure that
heritage matters are given due consideration;
• Provide advice to the Council on the identification, management and conservation,
restoration and promotion of places of heritage significance, as required, in the
municipality; and
• Promote community participation in and awareness of heritage issues through
awareness raising, education, engagement and mentoring.
Council resolved that the membership of the Greater Bendigo HAC would include 9
community members. The number of persons nominating to fill the positons far exceeded
Council expectations and the quality of nominees was outstanding. In view of that
situation it is proposed that the number of community members will be increased from 9
to 10.
PAGE 106
RECOMMENDATION
Greater Bendigo City Council resolve to:

1. Revise the number of community members of the Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisory
Committee from 9 community members to 10.
2. Formally appoint the following 10 community members to the Greater Bendigo
Heritage Advisory Committee for a four year term:
• Angela Gladman;
• Bishop Andrew Curnow;
• Bruce McClure, Bendigo Regional Group of Engineers, Australia Association;
• Darren Wright, previous Heritage Advisory Committee member;
• Jenny Trewartha, Northern District School of Nursing Graduates Association;
• Jess Milroy, Bendigo Field Naturalists Club;
• John Parker;
• Laurie Brown, previous Heritage Advisory Committee member;
• Matt Dwyer; and
• Peter Abbott, Bendigo Heritage Attractions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context
The Greater Bendigo Community Plan (2017-2021) recognises the importance of

heritage to the vision of ‘Creating the world’s most liveable community’, by listing
‘Embracing our culture and heritage’ as one of the Plan’s six goals, and by establishing
the following objectives:
6.1 Celebrate our unique heritage, and
6.5 Advance reconciliation
Rural Communities Strategy (Issues and Impacts):

Rural communities will continue to be involved in the work and advice provided by the
HAC. The work of the HAC relates to the whole of the City of Greater Bendigo. Four
proposed community members reside in rural Bendigo.
The Greater Bendigo HAC Terms of Reference (September 2017) states that
membership of the Committee should consist of:
• one Councillor;
• three representatives from state government, or authorised representatives, for
heritage, Heritage Victoria; natural heritage, DELWP; and Aboriginal heritage, Dja Dja
Wurrung and Taungurung Clans Aboriginal Corporations;
• one City of Greater Bendigo Director or Manager from the Strategy and Growth
Directorate;
• one City of Greater Bendigo heritage officer from Regional Sustainable Development
as Executive Officer; and
PAGE 107
• up to nine representatives from the community who have expertise, skills,

qualifications, experience and pass for Greater Bendigo’s heritage.

20 September 2017 - Adoption of the Greater Bendigo HAC Terms of Reference
Report
Following the adoption of the Greater Bendigo HAC Terms of Reference at Council on
September 20, 2017, all positions on the committee were declared vacant.
The City of Greater Bendigo began an Expression of Interest process for 9 new
community members in the media and on social media, from 29 September to 20
October. Additionally, the following organisations were also approached for individuals or
representative nominations:
• Australian Archaeological Association;
• Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc.;
• Australasian Society of History Archaeology;
• Australia International Council on Monuments and Sites;
• Australian Institute of Architects, Victoria;
• Australian Institute of Building Surveyors;
• Bendigo Field Naturalists Club;
• Bendigo Heritage Attractions;
• Bendigo Heritage Representatives Group;
• Bendigo Regional Archives Centre;
• Bendigo Tourism Board;
• Engineers Australia;
• Golden Dragon Museum;
• Goldfields Library Corporation;
• La Trobe University, Bendigo;
• National Trust of Australia (Victoria);
• Professional Historians of Australia, Victoria;
• Real Estate Institute of Victoria;
• Trust for Nature;
• Urban Development Institute of Australia, Victoria; and
• Working Heritage.
Expressions of Interest could be made online or posted. All vacating HAC members were
strongly encouraged to reapply.
An outstanding total of 35 Expressions were received from 7 women and 28 men,

ranging from recent arrivals to Greater Bendigo to long term residents, as well as a
number of rural applicants amongst urban residents. A number of organisations with a
heritage focus also nominated members as part of the Expression process, to be their
representative on the Committee.
PAGE 108
A Selection Panel was convened, consisting of the Committee Chair, Cr Matt Emond;
Trevor Budge, Manager of the Regional Sustainable Development unit; and Dr Dannielle
Orr, Heritage Planner and Executive Officer of the HAC. All of the Expressions were
reviewed and shortlisted down to 22 nominees. Interviews of these 22 nominees were
conducted by Cr Emond and Dannielle Orr from 6 to 24 December. The original
resolution of Council was to appoint 9 community members. Given the quality of persons
nominating the proposed resolutions for Council consideration include revising the
number of community members from 9 to 10. From the 22 nominees interviewed, the
following 10 community members have been selected and are proposed for Council
consideration.
• Angela Gladman;
• Bishop Andrew Curnow;
• Bruce McClure, Bendigo Regional Group of Engineers, Australia Association;
• Darren Wright, previous Heritage Advisory Committee member;
• Jenny Trewartha, Northern District School of Nursing Graduates Association;
• Jess Milroy, Bendigo Field Naturalists Club;
• John Parker;
• Laurie Brown, previous Heritage Advisory Committee member;
• Matt Dwyer; and
• Peter Abbott, Bendigo Heritage Attractions.
This is a matter of medium priority as the first meeting of the new Greater Bendigo HAC
is scheduled for 15 February 2018.
Timelines:
Once Council has formally appointed the 10 community members to the Greater Bendigo
HAC, its first meeting can be convened for 15 February 2018.
All vacating HAC members were encouraged to reapply as part of the Expression of
Interest process.
The City of Greater Bendigo advertised the Expression of Interest process for new
community members in the media and on social media, from 29 September to 20
October. Additionally, 21 state and local organisations were also approached for
individuals or representative nominations.
Appointing the new HAC has a minor resource implication for the officer time involved in
the process.
Attachments
Nil
PAGE 109
Lead and Govern For All - Reports Ordinary Meeting - 24 January 2018
7. LEAD AND GOVERN FOR ALL
7.1 ADOPTION OF PLAN GREATER BENDIGO
Author Bridget Maplestone, Coordinator Growth and Liveability
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to seek adoption of Plan Greater Bendigo and the Plan
Greater Bendigo Action Plan, separately circulated in Appendix C and Appendix D
respectively to this report.
Summary
Plan Greater Bendigo presents a consolidated list of 18 infrastructure projects which

collectively have the capacity to transform Greater Bendigo over a 30 year time period.
The Plan Greater Bendigo Action Plan summarises the broad steps over the short,
medium and longer term to deliver each project.
Plan Greater Bendigo is both proactive and aspirational. It presents a vision for how the
delivery of infrastructure will support population growth as we move towards 200,000
people by around 2050, as well as continuing to provide employment and services for the
broader Loddon Campaspe Region. However more than this, Plan Greater Bendigo is
about how the delivery of infrastructure will help in better connecting and creating
healthier, more inclusive communities, and strengthening existing employment and
attracting new jobs and investment.
Council consulted on draft Plan Greater Bendigo documents from Monday 23 October to
Friday 1 December. Over the consultation period 98 online surveys were completed,
with nine written submissions received from agencies and stakeholders. Overall
feedback was positive, but with a number of suggested changes or additional projects
proposed. A summary of survey responses, as well as submissions and responses is
provided in Appendix A to this report. Given the detailed nature of some of the written
submissions, a full copy of each has been provided in Appendix E (separately
circulated) to this report.
Council commissioned SGS Economics and Planning, to peer review the draft Plan
Greater Bendigo documents. The peer review suggested small changes including the
inclusion of a binding theme and details around governance including monitoring.
Following the findings from consultation and the peer review, a number of changes have
been made to the draft documents. Most of these are minor in nature and are detailed in
Appendix B to this report.
PAGE 110
Plan Greater Bendigo is a collaborative plan by Council, the Victorian Planning Authority
(VPA) and the regional office of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and
Planning (DELWP). There have been a number of agencies and stakeholders involved
in the journey of preparing Plan Greater Bendigo. It would not have been possible to
prepare these documents without the valuable input of each of these agencies and
stakeholders. Further details are provided on page 6 of Plan Greater Bendigo.
Many of the projects included in Plan Greater Bendigo are not the responsibility of
Council but various government agencies. The implementation of Plan Greater Bendigo
will not only require state government funding but also the ongoing commitment of
various agencies to continue to collaborate with the City on the delivery of projects.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Greater Bendigo City Council resolve to:

1. Adopt Plan Greater Bendigo and the Plan Greater Bendigo Action Plan, separately
circulated as Appendix C and Appendix D.
2. Receive a further report in early 2019 outlining the progress made towards the
implementation of the various projects within Plan Greater Bendigo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context
Goal 1 Lead and govern for all
Objective 1.5 Take a leadership role in regional planning, advocacy and work in
partnership with regional councils
2017-2018 Action Complete and commence implementation of Plan Greater Bendigo
Regional Strategic Plan Reference:
Plan Greater Bendigo is the first stage of implementing the Loddon Mallee South
Regional Growth Plan (as the region now includes Campaspe Shire it is also referred to
as the Loddon Campaspe Regional Growth Plan, LCRGP). This includes improving
regional connections and determining infrastructure priorities which will benefit not only
the City but the region more broadly.
Rural Communities Strategy (Issues and Impacts):
Rural communities have been considered and involved in the process of preparing Plan
Greater Bendigo. Reducing social isolation through inclusive growth, increasing
education levels and improving connections are important issues which have been
considered in the preparation of Plan Greater Bendigo.
PAGE 111
On 20 July 2016, Minister Wynne announced “Plan Bendigo” as the first stage of
implementing the LCRGP.
In November 2016, the City received funding support from the Victorian Planning
Authority (VPA) for the preparation of Plan Greater Bendigo. This funding enabled the
City to appoint an officer to work on the project until January 2018.
A Steering Committee and Technical Reference Group were established to help oversee
and contribute to Plan Greater Bendigo. The Steering Committee included high level
representation from the City, VPA, Regional Development Victoria, DELWP, and the
Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR). This
Committee was chaired by the Mayor – Cr Margaret O’Rourke. The Technical
Reference Group included representation from various State Government agencies and
stakeholders including Regional Partnerships, Urban Development Institute of Australia,
Bendigo Hospital and the Bendigo Sustainability Group.
The first round of consultation for Plan Greater Bendigo was on a draft Plan Greater
Bendigo Discussion Paper which took place from 20 March to 27 April 2017. During this
round of consultation the community was asked to identify their top five and bottom five
infrastructure projects from a list of 70 projects. A variety of consultation and
engagement techniques were used and a total of 294 completed surveys were received,
with a further 19 written submissions. The top five projects identified in the completed
surveys were:
• Securing Bendigo’s long term water supply (integrated water opportunities);

• Outer arterial road;
• Bendigo law courts;
• Managing groundwater – turning a problem into a resource;
• Bendigo Creek improvements.
All of these projects have been included in some way in the final version of Plan Greater
Bendigo (further details are provided in the consultation section on page 12 of Plan
Greater Bendigo). However consultation was only one input into determining the final list
of projects but there were a number of other considerations including state government
agency and policy support, the transformational nature of the project and whether it could
be delivered irrespective of inclusion in Plan Greater Bendigo.
Each project within this list of 70 projects, as well as other projects identified in
submissions to the draft Plan Greater Bendigo discussion paper were considered before
arriving at the final selection of 18 projects. While not all projects were included in the
final list, these projects have not been lost and are on the public record. Where possible
these projects will be progressed through other avenues, or will be considered in the
future.
PAGE 112
16 November 2016 – Council adopted the initial project scope and project timelines, as
well as appointing the Mayor as the Chair of the Plan Bendigo (now Plan Greater
Bendigo) Steering Committee.
15 March 2017 - Council endorsed the draft Plan Greater Bendigo Discussion Paper for
the purposes of community consultation and agreed to receive a further report
summarising the feedback and changes to the Draft Plan Greater Bendigo Discussion
Paper following consultation.
21 June 2017 - Council noted the findings from the consultation on the Draft Plan
Greater Bendigo Discussion Paper and resolved to proceed with the preparation of Plan
Greater Bendigo.
18 October 2017 – Council endorsed the Draft Plan Greater Bendigo and Draft Plan
Greater Bendigo Implementation Plan for the purposes of community consultation.
Report
Over the last 15 months, City officers have been working with the VPA, DELWP and
various other state government agencies to prepare Plan Greater Bendigo. This report
represents the end of a challenging fifteen month journey, presenting Council with the
final documents for adoption.
At the time of writing most of the 18 projects in the Plan Greater Bendigo documents had
not been funded, therefore Plan Greater Bendigo is an advocacy document to attract
public and private sector investment in high priority infrastructure projects. These
projects will not only support population, employment and housing growth, but if
delivered have the potential to fundamentally change the fabric and shape of the city for
generations. This may include changing the way we get around, leading to a healthier
and more inclusive community, maximising our natural resources, or creating a strong
city core driving investment, residential and visitor growth.
Overall each of the 18 listed projects:

• Is consistent with local and/or State policy;
• Support economic growth and development;
• Is in addition to Council’s ongoing service offerings;
• Benefit and are valued by the community;
• Have support and commitment by agencies/organisations to deliver.
Consultation on draft Plan Greater Bendigo

Council consulted on the draft Plan Greater Bendigo and draft Plan Greater Bendigo
implementation plan from the 23 October to 1 December. Further details are provided in
the consultation section to this report, with a summary of survey findings provided in
Appendix A.
Key findings from community and stakeholder consultation

To enable residents to easily provide feedback a simple online survey was prepared
using Survey Monkey. The survey asked four questions. These were:
PAGE 113
1. Of the 18 projects, please select the project which you consider to be the highest
priority.
2. Are there any projects missing from the existing list?
3. Are there any projects in the existing list which shouldn’t be included?
4. Do you have any further comments on the draft Plan Greater Bendigo or the draft
Plan Greater Bendigo Implementation Plan?
There were a total of 98 online surveys completed during the consultation period.
When respondents were asked to identify their highest priority project, results were
mixed. The highest rated project was planning for a renewable energy future, but this
was still only identified by 14 out of 98 respondents.
When respondents were asked what projects were missing from the existing project list,
the highest rated project was the Central Deborah Goldmine redevelopment, rated by 15
respondents. There were a number of other projects identified by a small number of
respondents. The majority of these projects were small in nature, outside the scope of
the plan or already identified in the draft documents such as around the city centre
revitalisation.
In addition to the online surveys completed, nine written submissions were received.
These submissions were from the following agencies and stakeholders:
• Urban Development Institute of Australia
• Coliban Water
• DELWP
• DEDJTR
• Aboriginal Victoria
• Emergency Management Victoria
• Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
• Engineers Australia (EA)
• Institute of Transportation Engineers, Australia and New Zealand Section (ITEANZ)
Overall these submissions were supportive but many requested changes to the draft
documents or the addition of projects. A summary of each of the submissions and a
response is provided in Appendix A to this report. Given the detailed nature of many of
these submissions, they have been attached in Appendix E (separately circulated) to
this report. A copy of all changes made to the documents incorporating some of the
changes raised in submissions is included in Appendix B to this report.
Peer review
The City commissioned Dr Marcus Spiller, Principal and Partner at SGS Economics &
Planning, to peer review both the draft Plan Greater Bendigo and the draft Plan Greater
Bendigo implementation plan.
The key findings of the peer review were that there were areas in which the plan could
be improved. These were the inclusion of a binding narrative and some details around
governance and monitoring. He also suggested the inclusion of details around the
benefits of investing in the various projects. This will be considered as part of the
implementation of Plan Greater Bendigo.
PAGE 114
Key changes following consultation

The key changes following consultation and the peer review include:
• Monitoring – a small number of key indicators have been added to track performance
on an annual basis
• Review - it has been recommended that Plan Greater Bendigo be reviewed every 3
years to ensure that it remains current
• Governance – an overarching group consisting of State Government agencies and

the City will oversee the delivery of Plan Greater Bendigo. This will be supported by
a number of working groups, where relevant, to help in delivering the projects.
• Framework Plan – A framework plan has been added at the beginning of the
document as well as at the start of each theme to spatially represent each of the
projects and the relationship between the projects.
• Appreciation – an acknowledgment has been added to recognise and thank the

agencies, stakeholders, and the community for their ongoing involvement in the
preparation of Plan Greater Bendigo
• Foreword and statements from agencies and stakeholders – space has been
provided in Plan Greater Bendigo to include a foreword from the Mayor as well as
some short statements from key stakeholders involved in the process. This
information will be added after adoption.
• Central Deborah Goldmine – It has not been recommended to include as a

standalone project, (it is included in Council’s priority projects for government and
private sector investment) however it has now been identified in the narrative
describing the Bendigo Creek project.
• Add the word ‘sustainable’ to the resourceful region theme – This was suggested in
the DELWP submission. This more accurately reflects this theme and so this change
is agreed to.
• Reference to Action Plan not Implementation Plan – The DEDJTR submission raised
that as the projects do not have any fixed commitment the term implementation plan
may be misleading. Title has therefore been updated to Action Plan rather than
implementation plan.
Plan Greater Bendigo is an important project for the City which has the involvement of
multiple State Government agencies and stakeholders. Plan Greater Bendigo provides a
clear framework of transformational infrastructure priorities which will help to attract
investment and to advocate to government for investment in important infrastructure
projects.
PAGE 115
Council has the option of adopting Plan Greater Bendigo and the Plan Greater Bendigo
Action Plan or not adopting the documents.
Timelines:
Plan Greater Bendigo commenced in November 2016 with a final Plan Greater Bendigo
due to be completed by January 2018.
Progress:
Council has met its milestones for this project.
This is the final stage in the preparation of the Plan Greater Bendigo documents.
Risk Analysis:
The City has received funding from the VPA for the delivery of Plan Greater Bendigo.
Given the extensive agency and stakeholder input into the project by not adopting the
documents this may impact on government and stakeholder relations and may even
potentially impact on the future funding of projects.
City officers have invited feedback from internal departments throughout the preparation
of Plan Greater Bendigo and have presented to the Executive Management Team on a
number of occasions.
Consultation on the draft Plan Greater Bendigo and draft Plan Greater Bendigo
Implementation Plan took place from Monday 23 October until Friday 1 December.
Consultation and engagement on the draft Plan Greater Bendigo documents, was
extensive and included the following:
• Letters signed by the CEO of both the City and VPA sent to 23 government agencies
• Brochure – distributed to Council offices and libraries
• Listening posts – at the Bendigo Farmers Market and the Bendigo Library
• Project webpage – 1,656 views to the project webpage
• Facebook – 23,484 users reached
• Media releases
• Emails sent to project mailing list – 167 residents and stakeholders
• Video
PAGE 116
Oversight and development of the draft Plan Greater Bendigo has been undertaken by
the Steering Committee and Technical Reference Group, comprising of numerous State
Government Agencies and invited input from key stakeholders. Stakeholders included
the Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership, the Northern Chapter of the UDIA Victoria,
Bendigo .Bank, Bendigo Health, Be.Bendigo, Bendigo Sustainability Group, La Trobe
University and the Dja Dja Wurrung.
$35,000 has been allocated to Plan Greater Bendigo this financial year.
External Funding Sources:
Council has received a $150,000 grant from the VPA for this project. This has enabled
the City to dedicate a staff member to this project and to backfill their position. In
addition, the VPA will provide $80,000 and the City $50,000 in-kind support for the
project.
The Plan Greater Bendigo documents do not commit any funds towards the delivery of
projects. However there would be financial costs, should Council decide it wants to
commit funds towards the delivery of projects identified in Plan Greater Bendigo.
Staff time and resources to implement Plan Greater Bendigo are factored into existing
operational budgets.
PAGE 117
Attachments
1. Appendix A - Submissions and Responses
2. Appendix B – Summary of key changes between draft and final version of Plan
Greater Bendigo and Plan Greater Bendigo Action Plan
3. Appendix C – Plan Greater Bendigo
4. Appendix D - Plan Greater Bendigo Action Plan
5. Appendix E – Copy of written submissions
PAGE 118
7.2 PRICING POLICY
Author Nathan Morsillo, Manager Financial Strategy
Responsible Kerryn Ellis, Director Corporate Performance

Director
Purpose
The Pricing Policy seeks to ensure that the setting of fees and charges is simple to
administer, is equitable, transparent and consistent. The Policy’s purpose is to provide
guidance for setting appropriate levels of fees and charges, taking into account
community benefit, the needs of user groups, Council’s finances and Community Plan
objectives.
Summary
The policy provides guidelines for setting appropriate levels of fees and charges and
allows for regular reviews of fees and charges with the financial planning process.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopt the updated Pricing Policy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context

Goal 1: Lead and Govern for all
Objective: 1:2 Be innovative and financially responsible
Fees and charges are an important source of income for the City of Greater Bendigo. It is
important to ensure guidelines are in place for the setting of fees and charges in line with
the Community Plan objectives. The policy applies to all fees and charges listed in the
Fees and Charges schedule of the annual budget.
PAGE 119
Legislative requirements include:

• The Local Government Act - Section 3C provides guidance on the pricing of
Council services and facilities. Council must ensure that resources are used
effectively and efficiently and that services and facilities provided by the Council
are accessible and equitable. Council must minimise the burden on customers or
ratepayers by pricing services at a level which maximises return but also
recognises the service user’s ability to pay.
• The National Competition Policy (Federal Government) and Competitive Neutrality

Policy (State Government) also provide requirements regarding pricing. Council is
required to price services that compete in the open market on a ‘level playing field’
basis and to be transparent in regard to any decision to depart from a commercial
basis for pricing.
Fees and Charges are an important source of revenue. In 2016/17 Fees and Charges
represented 25% of the annual budgeted income. This includes charges for kerbside
recycling and organic waste collection, which are 9% of budgeted income.
Report
A draft policy has been updated for consideration. The policy provides guidance in
setting the appropriate level of non-statutory fees and charges, taking into account
community benefit, the needs of user groups, financial sustainability and Community
Plan objectives, and to provide for regular reviews within the overall service and financial
planning process.
Council’s fees and charges have distinct categories:

• Statutory pricing: Fees set by legislation, providing no discretion for Council to
influence the amount charged.
• Non Statutory pricing: Council has the ability to set fees in this category at the
level it determines.
The policy identifies four types of non-statutory fees being:

a. Full cost pricing which is applied where the objective is to achieve financial return
for Council.
b. Accessible Pricing which is a discount on the full cost of providing the service. The
discounted rate is determined based on the community benefit or social good, and
can be set somewhere between 100% discount (i.e. without cost) and full cost
recovery.
c. Incentive Pricing is utilised where certain behaviours are encouraged by pricing
above full cost recovery.
d. Full cost plus margin pricing (or market pricing) is applied to services considered
discretionary and without strong social benefit.
The policy provides guidance as to when the different types of fees should be applied,
along with details of the annual review process.
PAGE 120
Relevant staff of the City of Greater Bendigo and the Executive Management Team.
Attachments
1. Pricing Policy
PAGE 121
PRICING POLICY
Approval Level: Council
Policy Type: Council
Approval Date: 16/01/2018
Review cycle: Four years
Review Date: 30/06/2021
Responsible Officer: Manager Financial Strategy
Owner: Financial Strategy
Responsible Director: Corporate Performance
Relevant Legislation/Authority: Local Government Act 1989
DOCSETID: TBC
1. PURPOSE
Fees and Charges represent an important source of income for the City of Greater Bendigo (The
City).
This policy provides guidance for the City's approach in setting appropriate levels of fees and
charges, taking into account community benefit, user groups and Community Plan objectives,
and to provide for regular reviews of fees and charges within the overall service and financial
planning process.
It encourages pricing that is simple to administer, equitable, easily understood, and provides
value for money.
2. SCOPE
This policy applies to all fees and charges that are listed in the Fees and Charges Schedule
which is published in the annual Budget. This policy also applies to any new fee and charges that
the City is eligible to charge under the Local Government Act, but has not previously been
included in the Fees and Charges Schedule.
PRINCIPLES
This policy seeks to ensure that the following key objectives are met:
• Efficiency - the fees are simple to understand and administer.
PAGE 122
• Equity - the fees are fairly applied across a range of users and consider users’ capability to
pay.
• Effectiveness - the fees provide appropriate signals to users, value for money and ensure
that everyone contributes appropriately to the delivery of services.
• Transparency - the method of determining pricing is consistent.
4. LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS
Section 3C of the Local Government Act provides some guidance on the pricing of the City’s
services and facilities. In addressing the Local Government Act, the City must ensure that
resources are used effectively and efficiently and that services and facilities provided by the City
are accessible and equitable. The City must minimise the burden on customers or ratepayers by
pricing services that are at a level which maximises return, but also recognises the service user’s
ability to pay.
National Competition Policy (Federal Government) and Competitive Neutrality Policy (State
Government) also provide requirements regarding pricing.
The City is required to price services that compete in the open market on a 'level playing field’
basis and to be transparent in regard to any decision to depart from a commercial basis for
pricing. Competitive neutrality requires that government business activities should not enjoy net
competitive advantages over their private sector competitors simply by virtue of public sector
ownership.
Where there are significant competitors in the marketplace, the City must consider and justify any
subsidy in the case of significant services which compete with the private sector.
5. PRICING METHODS
5.1 Statutory Pricing
Price at level set by legislation
For some fees and charges the City's role is to administer services and apply fees set or
controlled under statute or funding agreement. These fees may only provide a partial recovery of
the cost of providing the service.
Examples include: specified Environmental Health and Statutory Planning Fees.
In addition there are a range of conditions Council must consider when setting fees for certain
purposes, for example under Funding and Service Agreements or grant agreements. In these
cases Council must comply with the relevant terms of the agreement, for example there may be
an upper limit on the fee Council may charge.
Examples include Home and Community Care service charges.
5.2 Non Statutory Pricing
In determining fees and charges not regulated by statute, the City will consider the following
factors in selecting the pricing method to meet its objectives for the service:
• Balancing individual and community benefit
PAGE 123
• Users’ ability to pay

• Market pricing - the pricing of comparable services offered by other providers
• Competitive neutrality (where relevant)
• Budget implications
The reason for the subsidy or return will assist in determining the method of pricing to select.
The four types of non-statutory pricing are:
a. Full Cost pricing

Price to cover direct and overhead costs.
These are services provided by the City that benefit individual customers specifically, rather
than the community as a whole. The aim is to recover the direct and overhead costs
associated with providing these services:
• Provision of Information – involves the City giving access to information, subject to

compliance with information privacy and freedom of information.
• Damage to the City’s property
b. Accessible pricing
Price set between full City subsidy (no charge) and full cost pricing (covering direct and
overhead costs).
Accessible Pricing may be used where there are benefits to the community, including
making a service accessible to low-income or disadvantaged users. As part of the annual
review of pricing for these services, maintaining the overall net cost to the City for providing
the service should be considered.
Fees and charges are subsidised by the City and fees and charges are set to recover only
part of the direct cost (as defined above), for example a service may be provided with fees
set to recover 75% of direct costs.
Appropriate situations for partial pricing may be:

• Where the service benefits the community as a whole as well as the individual customer.
• Short term approach to stimulate demand for a service.
• Where charging prices at full cost may result in widespread evasion or inappropriate
adoption.
• Where the service is targeted at those with an inability to pay. In this case, concession
fees may be considered depending upon the type of service being provided and the
needs of the customer.
• Where there are a low number of other service providers; or insufficient quantity to meet
the need; or prices that would make the service accessible to the community.
Prices can be set from full City subsidy (no charge) to full cost recovery with various levels
of subsidisation in between. Partial cost pricing will always be based on knowledge of the
full cost of providing a service and subsidies will be based on a percentage of the cost of
the service.
Example: Recreation facilities fees and charges.
c. Incentive pricing
Price set above full cost recovery (covering direct and overhead costs at a minimum).
PAGE 124
Fees and charges are set at a level to encourage certain behaviours, and to reflect the
effort on the City’s behalf to collect the fee.
Example: Charging more for late health premise registration.
d. Full Cost plus margin pricing (Market Pricing)

Price set above full cost recovery (covering direct and overhead costs at a minimum) in line
with benchmarked market prices.
This category includes services that provide discretionary activities without strong social
policy objectives. These activities may provide revenue support and complement other
social policy actions.
Fees and charges are set based on benchmarking of similar services offered by other
service providers or based on current market pricing. The reason for selecting this method
of fee setting is that if fees are out of alignment with market it may result in a loss of
patronage or sales that would reduce the overall level of income for the service.
Ideally, the price should be greater than full cost recovery and a market based price. The
price charged by competitors depends upon the marketing strategy that has been adopted
and can be determined through benchmarking.
If a price less than full cost recovery is contemplated, the City should review whether it
should provide the service, or reconsider whether there is a community service obligation.
Otherwise, ratepayers may be subsidising a service for which no community service
obligation has been identified.
Examples: Sale of goods through retail outlets, e.g. Visitor Information Centre, Art Gallery.
A flowchart in Appendix A outlines these principles.
6. PROCESS FOR ADOPTION OF FEES AND CHARGES
6.1 Final review
All prices are subject to a final review by the Financial Strategy Unit as part of the budget
process. This is to ensure that the prices determined are administratively practical as per the
above factors and pricing method.
6.2 Annual review
Non-statutory fees and charges will be reviewed as part of the annual Budget development
process. The process is outlined in the flowchart provided as Appendix B.
6.3 Publication
Once adopted Council’s fees and charges will be publicised via Council’s website, and relevant
fees will be publicised at points of charge or sale, for example Customer Service Centres,
landfills and theatres.
PAGE 125
7. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Position Responsibility
Council To take into account the Policy when considering fees and charges
set by Council.
Directors Ensure that the Policy is used as part of the Budget development
process to review fees and charges within each Directorate.
Managers Undertaking an annual review of all fees and charges they are
responsible for, in accordance with the Policy
To identify any new fees and charges that should apply.
Manager Financial Ensure that the non-statutory fees and charges are identified during
Strategy the Budget development process and to ensure implementation of
this policy.
Advise and support Managers in the application of Competitive
Neutrality and the determination of the full cost of services.
Employees Administering the fees and charges as contained in the Fees and
Charges Schedule.
Providing accurate information to facilitate an annual review of all
fees and charges in accordance with the Policy.
8. RELATED DOCUMENTS
Readers are encouraged to access relevant documents and/or resources which are available as
per the below.
These include:
Appendix A - Pricing Policy Principles Flowchart

Appendix B – Review Process of Non Statutory Fees and Charges
Further information or advice on this policy should be directed to the Financial Strategy Unit.
9. HUMAN RIGHTS COMPATIBILITY
The implications of this policy have been assessed in accordance with the requirements of the
Victorian Charter of Human Rights of Responsibilities Charter.
10. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
It is recognised that, from time to time, circumstances may change leading to the need for minor
administrative changes to this document. Where an update does not materially alter this, such a
change may be made administratively. Examples include a change to the name of a Council
unit, a change to the name of a Federal or State Government department, and a minor update to
PAGE 126
legislation which does not have a material impact. However, any change or update which
materially alters this document must be made through consultation with the staff Consultative
Committee and with the approval of EMT or where required, resolution of Council.
DOCUMENT HISTORY
Date Respons Unit Change Type Version Next

Approved ible Review
Officer Date
Jan 2018 LM / BP / Rates & Review and 1.2 Jun 2021
NM Valuatio Update
ns
PAGE 127
Appendix A
Pricing Policy Principles - Flowchart
Yes Statutory or Non- Discretionary

Does Statutory or Non-Discretionary Pricing
pricing apply? Eg. Specified Environmental Health and Statutory
Planning Fees
No
Yes National Competition Policy
Does the National Competition Pricing
apply? (i.e. Full cost recovery to MARKET PRICING or
No
Is the service providing information?
OR Does this involve damage to Yes Full Cost Recovery Pricing
Council property?
OR Is this a regulatory function of
Council with no social policy
No
Yes Accessible Pricing
Are there Council social policy (Full Council Subsidy to Full Cost Recovery)
objectives that require controlled E.g. Recreation facilities fees and charges.
No
Are there Council policies objectives Yes Incentive Pricing

E.g. Charging more for late health premises
that require controlled pricing that registration.
No
Market Pricing
E.g. Sale of goods through retail outlets, i.e.
Visitor Information Centre, Art Gallery.
PAGE 128
Appendix B
Review Process of Non Statutory Fees and Charges
Identify fees and charges as part of

the Budget process
Review cost of providing the service
Determine which
pricing method is
to be used
Document (as applicable):

• reasons for method used
• cost recovery/subsidy
calculations
• market testing conducted
Proposed Fee or Charge submitted to

fees and charges schedule for
Executive consideration
Council Review and adoption

This occurs in advance of the annual
budget adoption to enable service
users to be informed of the fee
increase in a timely manner
PAGE 129
7.3 WASTE CHARGES POLICY
Author Nathan Morsillo, Manager Financial Strategy

Director
Purpose
The Garbage, Recycling and Organic Waste Charge Policy covers the waste charges
levied by City of Greater Bendigo. The Policy has been in place for some time, and has
now been reviewed in consultation with the Executive Management Team, Brooke
Pearce, Manager Waste Services and Caroline Grylls, Manager Safe and Healthy
Environments.
Summary
The Garbage, Recycling and Organic Waste Charge Policy ensures consistency when
applying the charges to properties within the City of Greater Bendigo.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopt the Garbage, Recycling and Organic Waste Policy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context

Goal 1: Lead and Govern for all
Objective: 1:2 Be innovative and financially responsible
Council provides a garbage and recycle collection service to all tenements within the City
of Greater Bendigo, and organics collection service to tenements located within the
organics area as outlined in the policy. The charges are compulsory for all residential
tenements other than where exceptions apply as set out in the policy.
PAGE 130
Report
The policy has been updated to include the charges relating to the provision of an
organic waste collection service to properties located in the collection area defined in the
policy.
The policy has also been amended to remove the requirement for a Certificate of
Occupancy to be issued prior to bins being provided for use.
Consultation has been held with Brooke Pearce, Manager Waste Services, Caroline
Grylls, Manager Safe and Healthy Environments and the Executive Management Team.
Existing operating budgets provide for the administration of the garbage, recycling and
organic waste charges.
Attachments
1. Garbage, Recycling and Organic Waste Charge Policy
PAGE 131
GARBAGE, RECYCLING AND ORGANIC WASTE CHARGE POLICY
Approval Level: Council
Policy Type: Council

Approval Date:
24/01/2018
Review cycle: 4 Years
Review Date: 23/01/2022
Responsible Officer: Manager Financial Strategy
Owner: Financial Strategy
Responsible Director: Corporate Performance
Relevant Legislation/Authority: Local Government Act 1989
DOCSETID: 3759834
3. PURPOSE
This policy relates to the Garbage, Recycling and Organic Waste Charges levied by City of
Greater Bendigo (COGB) on all Tenements where the service is available.
4. BACKGROUND
The Council provides bins for garbage and recycling collection to all tenements within
COGB, and organics waste bins to tenements located within Appendix AA.
Charges are levied annually under the Local Government Act to fund a number of services
such as domestic waste collection, the operation of landfills and transfer stations, the
management of waste contracts, street drain and pit cleaning. The charges are compulsory
for all residential tenements for garbage and recycling, and the organics charge is
compulsory for all residential tenements located within the area’s depicted in Appendix AA,
other than where the exceptions, as set out in this policy, apply.
5. SCOPE
The policy applies to all garbage, recycle and organic waste charges levied by council.
6. DEFINITIONS
N/A
PAGE 132
PRINCIPLES
To ensure consistency in applying waste charges to properties within the City of Greater
Bendigo.
POLICY
6.1 GARBAGE CHARGE – Residential tenements

The City of Greater Bendigo utilises the Garbage Charge to help achieve its objective of
reducing the quantity of domestic waste collected and increase resource recovery, and focus
on diverting organics waste from landfill (Waste and Resource Management Strategy 2014 -
2019).
The Garbage Charge is a volume based charge and varies depending on the capacity of the
garbage bin/s selected by property owners, either 140 litre bins or 240 litre bins. The owner
of any tenement has the choice of selecting either a 140 litre or 240 litre mobile garbage bin
for collection.
6.2 RECYCLING CHARGE – Residential tenements

A Recycling Charge is imposed for recycling bins. The owner of any tenement has the
choice of selecting either a 140 litre, 240 litre or 360 litre recycle bin for collection. There is
no difference in the collection charge between a 140 litre, 240 litre or 360 litre recycle bin.
6.3 ORGANICS CHARGE – Residential tenements

An organics charge is imposed for organics bins for all tenements located within the
collection area depicted in Appendix AA. The owner of any tenement within the designated
collection area has the choice of selecting either a 140 litre or 240 litre organics bin for
collection. There is no difference in the collection charge between a 140 litre and 240 litre
organics bin.
6.4 COMMERCIAL GARBAGE CHARGE

City of Greater Bendigo also levies a ‘fee for service’ option for commercial and non-
residential properties, known as the Commercial Garbage Charge for all commercial and
non-residential properties not specified in Appendix A. As an extension to this service, an
optional multi day collection service of one, two, three, five or seven days a week collection
and disposal of contents of bins from properties zoned as or used for commercial purposes
in the Bendigo Central Business District, Kangaroo Flat, Eaglehawk, Golden Square, Strath
Hill/Strath Village and Woodbury Court Shopping Centres is available (See Appendix A). The
charge per bin for multi day collections is calculated by multiplying the one day per week bin
charge by the number of days collection required.
6.5 APPLICATION OF CHARGES

In accordance with Section 162(1)(c) and 162(2) of the Local Government Act 1989, council
may declare a service rate or an annual charge or any combination of such for the collection
and disposal of refuse. The service rate or charge may be declared on the basis of any
criteria specified by the council.
Annual collection fees are levied from the date of occupancy of any tenement. On delivery
of the initial garbage bin, and any additional garbage bins over and above one bin per
tenement, a one off infrastructure charge will be levied.
Any request for alteration to the number or size of bins or to the frequency of collection in the
six multiple day collection areas for a property must be made/authorised by the property
owner or their representative.
PAGE 133
Garbage collection charges for commercial and non-residential properties and garbage
infrastructure charges are subject to the appropriate amount payable pursuant to A New Tax
System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 (CTH).
A recycle collection service is optional for commercial and non-residential type properties.
6.6 WASTE MANAGEMENT RESERVE FUNDS

A Reserve Fund has been established for the purposes of funding capital works related to
waste management. Funds transferred into this Reserve are generated from the annual
waste charges.
6.7 ANNUAL CHARGES
Garbage, recycle and organics charges and infrastructure charges will be adopted annually
by Council.
6.8 EXCEPTIONS TO CHARGES
The following conditions will qualify for an exemption from receiving the Garbage, Recycle or
Organic Waste collection services and be exempt from having the annual charges levied at
the discretion of the Senior Coordinator Rating and Valuation Services. All requests for
exemptions must be in writing.
6.8.1 Garbage and Recycle Charges
A Rural Residential
Where it is:
a. established that the garbage truck cannot reasonably access a legal property entrance
to empty bins from the roadside, and
b. it is deemed by the City of Greater Bendigo Waste Manager to be a burdensome
imposition for the bins to be taken to the nearest collection point, and
c. the property owner elects not to take bins to a collection point.
Where a Dependant Persons Unit is erected as a second dwelling on a property, is

occupied by an immediate family member and the property owner elects to not take
delivery of an additional bin.
B Urban Residential
Where a Development Approval is issued which requires the property owners make
private arrangements for the collections of domestic garbage refuse and recyclable
materials.
Where a Dependant Persons Unit is erected as a second dwelling on a property, is

occupied by an immediate family member and the property owner elects to not take
delivery of an additional bin.
C Commercial and other non-residential

Where a ratepayer informs the City of Greater Bendigo in writing, to the effect
that other arrangements have been made for the collection and disposal of refuse
in respect of that ratepayer’s property.
6.8.2 Organic Waste Charge
Where a ratepayer whose application for an exemption from participating in the Organic
waste collection is approved. The application process is –
PAGE 134
An application must be made using the appropriate form and attaching supporting
documentation. Applications must be made by the property owner or by a person
acting on behalf of the property owner, where the property owner is unable to make an
application for medical reasons.
The application must be submitted to the City of Greater Bendigo - Waste Services
Unit for consideration.
A City of Greater Bendigo representative will assess the application and make a time
to visit the property to assess onsite the property process for dealing with food
organics and garden organics waste.
Determination of whether an exemption will be granted. This will be based on the

applicant demonstrating that they have current and on-going alternative arrangements
for the treatment of food organics and garden organics waste.
The property owner will be notified in writing the outcome of the application
Applicants for an Organic Waste Charge Exemption should be aware routine audits of
receptacles of exempted properties will be conducted periodically.
Where a Development Approval is issued which requires the property owners make private
arrangements for the collections of domestic garbage refuse and recyclable materials and/or
organic waste.
Where a Dependant Persons Unit is erected as a second dwelling on a property, is occupied

by an immediate family member and the property owner elects to not take delivery of an
additional bin.
6.8.3 Exceptional Circumstances
If exceptional circumstances apply, and an application for exemption does not fit the
criteria within this policy, then approval for an exemption may be granted by the Director
Corporate Performance.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Further information or advice on this policy should be directed to Financial Strategy.
8. HUMAN RIGHTS COMPATIBILITY
The implications of this policy have been assessed in accordance with the requirements of
the Victorian Charter of Human Rights of Responsibilities Charter.
9. ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
It is recognised that, from time to time, circumstances may change leading to the need for
minor administrative changes to this document. Where an update does not materially alter
this, such a change may be made administratively. Examples include a change to the name
of a City unit, a change to the name of a Federal or State Government department, and a
minor update to legislation which does not have a material impact. However, any change or
update which materially alters this document must be made through consultation with the
PAGE 135
staff Consultative Committee and with the approval of EMT or where required, resolution
of Council.
10. DOCUMENT HISTORY
Date Respons Unit Change Type Version Next

Approved ible Review
Officer Date
October Leesa Financia Review & update 1 October
2017 Mein l 2022
Strategy
PAGE 136
PAGE 137
PAGE 138
7.4 RECORD OF ASSEMBLIES
Author Jessica Clarke-Hong, Manager Governance

Director
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide the record of any assembly of Councillors, which
has been held since the last Council Meeting, so that it can be recorded in the Minutes of
the formal Council Meeting.
RECOMMENDATION
That Council endorse the record of assemblies of Councillors as outlined in this report.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Policy Context

Goal 1 Effective community engagement will guide well informed,
responsive decision-making and financially responsible resource
allocations, which are transparent and accountable.
A meeting will be an assembly of Councillors if it considers matters that are likely to be

the subject of a Council decision, or, the exercise of a Council delegation and the
meeting is:
1. A planned or scheduled meeting that includes at least half the Councillors (5) and a
member of Council staff; or
2. an advisory committee of the Council where one or more Councillors are present.
The requirement for reporting provides increased transparency and the opportunity for
Councillors to check the record, particularly the declarations of conflict of interest.
PAGE 139
Report
Meeting Information
Meeting Councillors' Briefing
Name/Type
Meeting Date 27 November 2017
Matters discussed 1. Presentation on Smart City Passions and Pathway
Project
2. Environment Strategy Action Plan
3. Waste Services Review
4. Briefing on Red Square Music Festival
5. Gasworks site contamination and future use
6. Organisation Health Check
7. Changes to valuation process
8. Draft Agenda review
9. Athletics track refurbishment
10. Arts and Creative Industries Strategy
11. Calder Highway works at Ravenswood
12. Enterprise Agreement
13. Regional Cities Victoria
14. Visit by the Governor of Victoria
Attendees/Apologies
Councillors Cr Margaret O'Rourke
Cr Jennifer Alden
Cr Matt Emond
Cr George Flack
Cr Rod Fyffe
Cr Julie Hoskin
Cr James Williams
Cr Yvonne Wrigglesworth
Apology:
Cr Andrea Metcalf
Staff/ Mr Craig Niemann
Community Ms Kerryn Ellis
Representatives Mr Craig Lloyd
Ms Vicky Mason
Mr Bernie O'Sullivan
Mrs Jessica Clarke-Hong
Mr Peter Hargreaves
Conflict of Interest disclosures

Matter Councillor/officer making disclosure Councillor/officer left
No. meeting
8 Cr Margaret O'Rourke Yes
PAGE 140
Meeting Information
Name/Type
Meeting Date 4 December 2017
Matters discussed 1. Presentation on Bendigo Nightingale Project
2. City Studio Project
3. Youth Strategy
4. Staff Culture Surveys
5. Marong Business Park
6. Planning matters
7. Calder Highway Ravenswood Alignment
8. Gas - Marong
9. Artlands Conference
10. Presentation by Bendigo Agricultural Show Society
11. Bendigo Stadium Limited
12. GBM Gold Limited
13. Bendigo Climate Drawdown Summit
14. Waste Collection Contract - Organics
15. Building Better Regions Application
Attendees/Apologies
Cr Jennifer Alden
Cr Matt Emond
Cr George Flack
Cr Rod Fyffe
Cr Julie Hoskin
Cr Andrea Metcalf
Cr James Williams
Representatives Mr Steven Abbott
Mr Craig Lloyd
Mr Peter Hargreaves
Apology:
Ms Vicky Mason

No. meeting
6 Cr Margaret O'Rourke Yes
PAGE 141
Meeting Information
Meeting Sustainability and Environment Advisory Committee
Name/Type
Matters discussed 1. Sustainability Frameworks document
2. VEAC Central West Investigation submission
3. Greater Bendigo Environment Strategy Action Plan
4. CRC WSC update
5. Fruit Fly workshops
6. Urban Forest Strategy presentation
7. Spring Gully Mountain Trail Network Master Plan
8. Box Ironbark Ecology course
Attendees/Apologies
Councillors Cr Jennifer Alden
Cr Andrew Metcalf
Apology:
Cr Margaret O'Rourke
Staff/ Ms Tania MacLeod
Community Mr Matthew Kerlin
Representatives Mr Anthony Sheean/
M/S Jess Milroy
Mr Chris Weir
Ms Pamela Beattie
Mr Colin Smith
M/S Terri Williams
Ms Kelly Button
Mr James Shaddick
Apologies:
Mr Trevor Budge
Ms Nycole Wood
Mr Lincoln Fitzgerald/
Ms Kathryn Stanislawski
Mr Geoff Caine

No. meeting
Nil
PAGE 142
Meeting Information
Name/Type
Matters discussed 1. Housing Strategy Implementation Plan
2. Planning matters
3. Briefing from Bendigo Manufacturing Group on
Strategic Plan
4. Pricing Policy
5. Waste Charges Policy
6. Presentation by Bioregional Australia (One Planet)
7. Meeting procedure refresher
8. Capital Project Prioritisation criteria process
Attendees/Apologies
Cr Jennifer Alden
Cr Matt Emond
Cr George Flack
Cr Rod Fyffe
Cr Julie Hoskin
Cr Andrea Metcalf
Cr James Williams
Representatives Mr Craig Lloyd
Ms Vicky Mason

No. meeting
Nil
PAGE 143
Meeting Information
Name/Type
Matters discussed 1. Update on the Retail Action Plan
2. Whittington Court subdivision
3. Home Support Program
4. Parking Service Review
5. Enterprise Bargaining Agreement
6. Easter Festival 2018
7. E-bikes
8. Divestment in Fossil Fuels and Industry
Attendees/Apologies
Cr Jennifer Alden
Cr George Flack
Cr Rod Fyffe
Cr Andrea Metcalf
Cr James Williams
Apologies:
Cr Matt Emond
Cr Julie Hoskin
Representatives Ms Vicky Mason
Ms Debbie Wood

No. meeting
3 Cr Margaret O'Rourke No
PAGE 144
8. URGENT BUSINESS
Nil.
9. NOTICES OF MOTION
Nil.
10. COUNCILLORS' REPORTS
11. MAYOR'S REPORT
12. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT
13. CONFIDENTIAL (SECTION 89) REPORTS
Nil.
PAGE 145

Council Agenda 24 January 2018

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Council Agenda 24 January 2018

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AGENDA

Ordinary Meeting of Council

6.00pm Wednesday 24 January 2018

*** Broadcast live on Phoenix FM 106.7 ***

Copies of the City of Greater Bendigo Council’s Agendas & Minutes

Greater Bendigo - creating the world's most liveable community.

• Presentation and Managing Growth

WEDNESDAY 24 JANUARY 2018

ITEM PRECIS PAGE

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 5

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 5

RESUMPTION OF STANDING ORDERS 6

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST 6

1. PETITIONS AND JOINT LETTERS 9

1.1 PETITION: REQUEST FOR STREET LIGHT AT DEEP 9

1.2 RESPONSE TO PETITION: TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE AT 10

2. PRESENTATION AND MANAGING GROWTH 14

2.1 5 HAKEA ROAD, HUNTLY 3551 - USE AND 14

2.2 82 NEALE STREET, KENNINGTON 3550 - DEMOLITION 21

2.3 12 MAYNARD DRIVE, EPSOM 3551 - AMENDMENT TO AN 30

2.4 GREATER BENDIGO PUBLIC TOILET STRATEGY 39

3.1 DESIGNATION OF NEW BUSHFIRE PLACE OF LAST 51

3.2 IRONBARK GULLY PUBLIC SPACE CORRIDOR 56

3.3 LOCAL LAW REVIEW 65

4. STRENGTHENING THE ECONOMY 72

4.1 GREATER BENDIGO HOUSING STRATEGY 72

5.1 HUNTLY AND CROSBIE PLANTATIONS - FARM 94

6. EMBRACING OUR CULTURE AND HERITAGE 106

6.1 GREATER BENDIGO HERITAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 106

7. LEAD AND GOVERN FOR ALL 110

7.1 ADOPTION OF PLAN GREATER BENDIGO 110

7.2 PRICING POLICY 119

7.3 WASTE CHARGES POLICY 130

7.4 RECORD OF ASSEMBLIES 139

8. URGENT BUSINESS 145

9. NOTICES OF MOTION 145

10. COUNCILLORS' REPORTS 145

11. MAYOR'S REPORT 145

12. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S REPORT 145

13. CONFIDENTIAL (SECTION 89) REPORTS 145

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Public Question Time – Purpose

Public Question Time – Where, When And Who

Residents are encouraged to lodge questions in advance so that a more complete

RESUMPTION OF STANDING ORDERS

That Standing Orders be resumed.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

(a) direct financial interest

Councillors are also encouraged to declare circumstances where there may be a

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of 13 December 2017.

1. PETITIONS AND JOINT LETTERS

1.1 PETITION: REQUEST FOR STREET LIGHT AT DEEP LEAD ROAD

1.2 RESPONSE TO PETITION: TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE AT

Author Andrew Smith, Transportation Engineer

Responsible Debbie Wood, Director Presentation and Assets

1. Endorse the relocation of the giveway line.

2. Notify the petitioners of the action.

Community Plan Reference:

City of Greater Bendigo Community Plan 2017-2021:

Objective 2.5 Create safe and resilient communities

Previous Council Decision(s) Date(s):

2. PRESENTATION AND MANAGING GROWTH

* Broadcast live on Phoenix FM 106.7 *