Craig Wilson PEARSE
Craig Wilson PEARSE
Victoria Police
Regd. # ?
Rank: Sergeant
Stations: Bendigo 1988-2009 and Maryborough 2009-2011
Awards: ?
Died: 21 December 2011
Age: 47
Cause: Heart Attack
Funeral date: 30 December 2011
Funeral location: Bendigo Baptist Church
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[alert_blue]Not mentioned on the Wall Of Remembrance [/alert_blue]
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Police mourn popular peer
Drumming up a show for a mate
Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 15-Feb-2013
The State Government has announced a grant of $50,000 to carry out the review.
The review is needed because, according to the State Government, 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Damian Drum made the announcement this morning.
Mr Drum said the Bendigo Residential Strategy Review would deliver greater community and investor certainty, helping the region grow.
“The Bendigo Residential Development Strategy was adopted in 2004 and is currently being audited because of the faster than anticipated growth that has occurred in Bendigo in recent years,” he said.
“Strong residential growth has many flow-on economic benefits and having a clear framework for future development will position Greater Bendigo City Council to undertake more detailed, place-based planning in the future.”
Deputy Premier Peter Ryan said about 40 per cent of the forecast growth between 2006 and 2031 had already been realised.
The Residential Strategy impacts directly on where and how property developments use “infill” parcels of land, range of housing styles and also on housing affordability.
“This project will review the strategy, assess current and estimated land supply and demand and consider various legislative and policy changes,” Mr Ryan said,
“It will also consider the latest demographic data and establish a new strategic framework to guide the long-term residential growth of Greater Bendigo.
“The project will result in a revised residential strategy that will give developers, the community and service providers greater surety and confidence about where land can be developed for residential purposes, and that sufficient land is available to accommodate the City of Greater Bendigo’s future growth.”
Mr Ryan said a contemporary strategic planning framework was essential to the economic development of a large regional centre like Bendigo.
“Clearly identifying future growth options and supporting infrastructure needs will enable the Greater Bendigo City Council and other infrastructure providers to plan their capital works programs well in advance,” he said.
“Identifying long-term growth areas will enable the council and other service authorities to start planning for the delivery of services, thereby minimising the lag time between when residential development occurs and when the services need to be in place.”
Award recognises Bendigo police officers’ dedication
Senior constables Rachel Colliver and Cary Towers were presented with the award at the police Christmas function on Friday night.
Inspector Mark Edwards said the award recognised the qualities of professionalism, team work and customer service that Sergeant Pearse exemplified.
Sergeant Pearse, a long-serving member in Bendigo before moving to Maryborough, passed away from a heart attack in September last year.
“We had been thinking about doing a high-achiever type award for a while, and a couple of police officers thought we should name it after Craig,” Inspector Edwards said.
“It’s great to recognise our top performers and even better to have something that has serious meaning attached to it.
“We’re keeping the memory of Craig well and truly alive.”
The Sergeant Craig Pearse Memorial Award covers the Bendigo police service area and takes in Bendigo uniform, crime investigation and highway patrol, as well as Eaglehawk, Heathcote, Goornong, Elmore and Axedale.
“We took into account a lot of things,” Inspector Edwards said.
“It isn’t just about stats, how many crooks someone catches or tickets issued.
“It’s about teamwork, leadership, supporting your mates and good customer service to the Bendigo community.”
The award was originally meant to go to just one officer but Inspector Edwards said it was too hard to split Senior Constable Colliver and Senior Constable Towers.
“In the past 12 months Rachel has been on the highway patrol her work output has been the highest in the western region,” he said, “Cary Towers rates similarly; their outputs are enormous, they work their guts out.
“They are both excellent mentors for the younger troops. The leadership they display is absolutely first-class. And their ethics have never been questioned.”
Inspector Edwards said the pair were both recognised for their “general enthusiasm” for their work. “Part of Rachel’s speech was, ‘its pretty easy to do a good job when you love your work’,” he said.
“Cary hates crooks and when there’s crimes committed he just loves to get out there and catch them.”
Senior Constable Towers said it was a “tremendous honour” to receive the award from Sergeant Pearse’s parents.
“He was held in very high regard and it’s a testament to what kind of guy he was,” he said.
Senior Constable Towers has worked in uniform for 10 years, and had a six month stint in crime investigation this year.
“I’m back in uniform now on general duties, doing all sorts of stuff, going out in the van, in the watch-house, prisoner escort.
“I enjoy the camaraderie that goes with it, and I enjoy getting out there and helping out where you can.”
Senior Constable Colliver, an officer of eight years, said she loved her role in Bendigo’s highway patrol.
“It’s not just handing out the tickets, we try to make a bit of a difference,” she said.
“I enjoy dealing with so many people. I enjoy working one-up and I enjoy being out on the road. We do a lot of kilometres.”
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