BendigoWeekly www.bendigoweekly.com.au
ISSUE 1034 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2017
Myers Street plans revealed
HOTEL HOPES By SHARON KEMP
BENDIGO could soon have more hotel-style accommodation in the heart of the city with a four-storey hotel and retail complex proposal before the City of Greater Bendigo, this time in the heritage district alongside the 160-year-old Bush’s Produce store and St Paul’s Cathedral. The $3 million plan includes ground floor shops with an option to include a café, and rooms situated on three levels – 37 in total. The development is slated for the corner of Myers and Williamson streets and includes the building that housed a retail section of Bush’s until recently, but was an addition to the original 1885 building in which the business continues to operate. The plan is to open up the historic carriageway between the buildings that provided access off Williamson Street through which vehicles will be able to exit the new precinct. Vehicles will enter the ground floor carpark from Myers Street. Developer Peter Shoebridge is seeking council approval for the site to include less car parking than is required under planning guidelines. The planning application before council asks that 16 car parks be provided as part of the development, less than one third of the 49 that planning guidelines state should be provided.
IN TUNE: Alissa van Soest and the Marist band. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
The science of sound on show MARIST Brass Band will prove there’s art in science and Discovery Science and Technology Centre will demonstrate there is science in art at a joint performance on Saturday.
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Like any visit to Discovery, don’t expect to just sit back and listen. Visitors can find out how the instruments work, and then join the Discovery team to make their own instrument.
While some great music is included, you’ll also discover the science behind the different sounds. The performance starts at 2pm on Saturday in the Discovery Centre auditorium.
Locals urged to #giveback – Page 3
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A parking demand assessment report completed in July “provides evidence for the support in the reduction of car park numbers without detriment to the local and immediate area” according to the planning application. The plan also calls for some restoration work to existing heritage infrastructure including a curved brick archway in the carriageway. The overall design is an alteration to original plans for the site submitted in 2015. The changes include storeys that are stepped back to allow for balconies instead of a cubed design, and a greater offset from nearby buildings to give appropriate emphasis to their heritage features. The height of the proposed building was also addressed in development plans. “The proposed design is not able to compete with the extreme height or unique configuration of the adjoining church spire,” the application stated. “However it will be providing a more distinct low (to) medium scale building that won’t then overpower the St Paul’s church spire or its high roof line.” A verandah covering the ground floor level will replicate the shape of the existing corner building and create a consistent look from the footpath. Continued Page 2
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