Why take sledge hammer to planning scheme ideas?
The planning minister has taken a sledge hammer to the Bendigo community's efforts to update our planning scheme so that we may better protect and manage the significant landscapes at Big Hill and Mandurang Valley, which form the beautiful southern entrance to our city. This is the oldest landscape in Australia.
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The Bendigo and District Environment Council (BDEC) asks why?
The proposed Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO) is not a tool to restrict development, yet the Planning Minister, Richard Wynne, Member for Richmond, has simply dismissed all the work that has been undertaken and approved by Bendigo Council, and the many community groups and residents who support them.
The SLO simply attempts to make sure any development respects the values of our landscape. No houses on ridges, maintaining rural aspect and amenity, for example. It promotes sensitive development, not no development.
Can one therefore assume that the minister's rejection of the council's planning scheme provisions gives develolpers carte blanche to squeeze every last block onto the irreplaceable countryside, now outside the urban growth boundary, such as the Ravenswood Run area? Has the minister visited the landscapes he deems not significant?
Where to now? BDEC supports the suggestion for a new holistic gateway study for the southern entrance to Bendigo as a sensible next step.
Jenny Shield, Convenor, Bendigo and District Environment Council
Patients are not alone
My heart goes out to Julianne Baldock, the subject of Elspeth Kernebone's article, "Fighting for the Future," in the Bendigo Advertiser of Saturday, March 02, 2019, pages 12-13. Dealing with any cancer is a huge challenge on its own let alone maintaining one's family as well.
I have had a long association with the oncology unit at Bendigo Health and so presume that Julianne's experience was not with them. They appreciate what their patients are enduring and make every effort to minimise the fear, sadness and pain associated with their chemotheraphy. They welcome family, friends and other patient supporters in every attempt to assist the patient through the treatment. Friendly, caring nurses, doctors and other staff encourage appropriate humour, often going the extra mile sourcing surprises like signed footy jumpers, concert tickets, or other gifts found through generous community members only too willing to help. Younger members of families such as grandchildren are encouraged to visit as the conversations that ensue often brighten the hours spent in the treatment chairs. Some three year olds have even been known to ride their scooters around the unit. A grand piano is also there to lighten the atmosphere and positively distract the patient.
All of this demonstrates that the patient is not alone; he or she is supported as much as possible.
We are very fortunate to have such a unit in our local region supplying such excellent care.
Chris Coughlan, Bendigo
Have your say: Send letters to Bendigo Advertiser, PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or lodge digitally at bendigoadvertiser.com.au. Letters on election issues must bear the name and full address of the writer(s). Responsibility for election comment in this issue is accepted by editor Nicole Ferrie. Writers should disclose any alliance with political or community organisations and include their phone number for verification. Election candidates should declare themselves as such when submitting letters.
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