Huntly’s future well planned for by city

I WOULD like to respond to the letter from Mr Robert Smallpage regarding the Huntly Township Plan (The Advertiser, March 5). One of the key functions of local government is to ensure that development occurs in a planned and co-ordinated fashion.Huntly has been identified as one of Greater Bendigo’s growth areas estimated to become home to a further 4400 people and 2079 dwellings by 2030.The Huntly Township Plan is a blueprint for the future of the area for the next 20 to 30 years.The City of Greater Bendigo, in consultation with the local community, developed the Huntly Township Plan to identify areas suitable for residential and commercial development.A number of community workshops were held in Huntly to allow residents to input their ideas and to identify other issues that should be incorporated into the plan.Public transport was identified as an issue and the possibility of a local railway station being established was raised and incorporated into the plan.Discussions have, and will continue to take place with the Department of Transport about the possibility of a railway station being established in Huntly in the future.The Huntly Township Plan also addresses: accessibility: improved walking and cycling, improved public transport; retention of character: retain the existing character and native vegetation of the area; conservation: protection and enhancement of vegetated creek lines; and infrastructure and service provision: extension of natural gas, street lighting, convenience shopping.Anybody who takes some time to inspect this plan will clearly see that it is not just about the projects that council will undertake in the Huntly area in the future, it is a plan for all levels of government and other relevant agencies as well.CRAIG NIEMANN,CEO, City of Greater Bendigo