Ferntree Gully rename plans

PLANS for community consultation on a proposed Ferntree Gully name change were given the go ahead at last week’s Knox Council meeting.
Dobson Ward councillor Karin Orpen announced a plan to formally rename the area of Ferntree Gully covered by the Foothills Policy at Knox Council’s 24 June meeting.
Cr Orpen presented 127-signatures Friends of Ferntree Gully Village petition asking the council to consider renaming the area bordered by Dorset Road, Napoleon Road and the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Councillors on Tuesday last week (22 July) approved a motion to gauge community opinion on the change.
Letters will be sent to the 3000 properties within the affected area.
Statutory authorities and utility providers will also be asked for feedback.
“I hope there’s some community debate happening and we’ll see what happens,” Cr Orpen said.
The consultation process may take up to eight weeks.
If the public is in favour of the change, the Registrar of Geographic Names, Vicnames, will publish a notice in the Victorian Government Gazette.
If no objection is received within 30 days, the redefined local boundary will be recorded.
Mayor Jim Penna asked for the written description of the area concerned to be refined and called for more precise figures on the number of commercial properties affected.
The Foothills Policy was designed to reduce intensive development and protect the tree canopy and sets out tough restrictions on construction in the region.
Cr Orpen said by clearly identifying the 15 to 20 per cent of Ferntree Gully covered by the policy, the area would be afforded greater protection.
The name change would affect 3000 properties, including about 120 commercial locations.
The council does not plan to cover any cost to residents resulting from the change.