Suburb may split

By Casey Neill
FERNTREE Gully may soon be divided if a name change plan receives public support.
Dobson Ward councillor Karin Orpen presented a 127-signature petition to the council’s 24 June meeting calling for the section of Ferntree Gully covered by the Foothills Policy to be renamed.
Ferntree Gully Foothills and Ferntree Gully Village are two names suggested for the breakaway area.
Cr Orpen said clearly identifying the 15 to 20 per cent of Ferntree Gully covered by the policy would provide the area with greater protection.
“Residents are keen to make sure the area is protected for future generations,” she said.
“There’s this sense of ‘we don’t want to lose it’.”
The Foothills Policy was incorporated into council and state planning schemes in October 2006.
It was designed to reduce intensive development and protect the tree canopy, and sets out tough restrictions on construction in the region.
“It took five years to get this into the state planning scheme,” Cr Orpen said.
“When you fight so hard for something you don’t want to lose it.”
Cr Orpen is also a member of Friends of Ferntree Gully Village, the group responsible for the petition.
She said the name change would “enhance community” and “protect the foothills”. She said there would be no change of postcode and likened the split to Wantirna and Wantirna South.
Cr Orpen proposed a survey of residents in the area to determine whether a name change was widely supported, and which name would be preferred.
She said the council would then make a decision on the move.
Areas of The Basin and Upper Ferntree Gully are also covered by the Foothills Policy.