Plans to transform a major corridor into the heart of Bendigo from a tired commercial strip into a vibrant place to live and do business took a step forward this week.
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The High Street Boulevard project – approved at Wednesday night’s Greater Bendigo City Council meeting –changes the planning scheme to allow for medium high-rise construction between Short Street and Shamrock Street.
Mayor Rod Fyffe said he expected the strip to be transformed over the next decade as tens of millions of dollars of investment poured into the area and old buildings made way for apartment blocks and retail.
“This fits perfectly into our plan to have 3000 to 4000 more people living in the CBD,” Cr Fyffe said.
“We want to allow development of new buildings – we want people to live here.”
Cr Fyffe welcomed the release of plans for a four-storey building on the corner of High Street and Myrtle Street as an example of the development which will be possible.
The developer, Ron Poyser, said his building would likely house office and medical-related businesses on the first two floors and 14 apartments on the floors above, as well as four penthouse apartments.
We think this is going to be the start of a lot more apartment living in the Bendigo CBD
- Developer Ron Poyser
”Bendigo has been crying out for action at this end of town – this will really busy Bendigo,” he said.
“We think that with the new hospital and the amount of professional people looking to come to Bednigo, this will be ideal site.
“Bendigo’s population is now approaching 120,000 and we’ll see a lot of people – particularly young professionals – looking for apartment-type living.”
Mr Poyser said expected construction would cost between $7 million to $10 million and would begin within 12 to 18 months. He hoped it would be finished within three years with apartments going on sale by 2018.
While councillors voted unanimously to adopt the planning scheme modification for the 12 hectare area on Wednesday night, councillors Helen Leach and Lisa Ruffell both raised concerns about parking in the area.
Cr Fyffe said parking issues would have to be addressed by each individual developer.
“But this type of living will appeal to those who don’t have a car, or couples who don’t need two cars, but who use bikes, public transport and who walk,” he said.
