By Parker McKenzie
Development Victoria has submitted planning applications for the contentious “Lake Knox” development to Knox City Council, which are now open for comment from the public.
Knox City Council confirmed it had received the two planning permits, one for each of the two-stage subdivision and the construction of wetlands.
The proposed redevelopment of the site, located on the corner of Burwood Highway and Scoresby Road in Knoxfield, consists of plans to subdivide the site, remove vegetation to create 105 lots build, a wetland with cycling and walking tracks, open space areas and a bird lookout, and the removal of a dam referred to as Lake Knox by local residents.
The development has proven controversial because of several hatchings of vulnerable blue-billed ducks being found at the dam and concerns about whether ecological outcomes could be recreated through building artificial wetlands.
Knox City Mayor Susan Laukens said Council knows the community wants them to advocate for the conservation of the dam and the ducks.
“There is significant community interest in this proposed redevelopment, and a real concern for some people in the community is the presence of blue billed ducks, and whether the wetland will be suitable for them, what happens to them during construction and their wellbeing once the dam is removed,” she said.
“We have very strict rules that apply to how we make planning decisions. If we don’t follow those rules our decision and any opportunity we have to influence a development application can be called into question and thrown out by VCAT or the Minister.”
The artificial dam is on the grounds of the former Knoxfield Horticultural Research Institute, where it is believed to have been used to store water for use in irrigating research crops in either the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Knox City Council said in 2018 the Minister for Planning rezoned the land and changed some of the overlays in order to facilitate the development of the land for residential, commercial and retail purposes.
“At the time Council made a submission to the rezoning process that called for the sensitive biodiversity on this site to be retained, protected, and enhanced,” Knox City Council said.
“The submission highlighted the existing dam and recommended not changing the environmental significance overlay until the new wetland had been established.”
Development Victoria said on 12 May the plan to replace the dam will take place over a period of three to four years, with the first stage consisting of constructing and establishing a new wetland and drainage connected to Blind Creek, followed by at least 12 months of ecological monitoring to assess the progress of the establishment of the habitat.
A community-funded report by Professor Paul Boon stated several issues with the development, including that claims of guaranteed ecological success “are inconsistent with scientific literature,” “doubts over Development Victoria’s capacity to deliver high-quality replacement aquatic habitat,” and the plan containing questionable assertions about Lake Knox and its development.
The planning permits can be viewed at www.knox.vic.gov.au/planning-applications-621-burwood-highway
