As a former teacher at Boronia Tech, Boronia Heights Secondary College and Boronia Heights College I am very concerned about the state government’s proposed redevelopment of this now-empty site.
The land has some fantastic old Stringybark trees up the back of the back of the property, in its Sanctuary parallel to Mount View Road and along the access path from Harcourt Road.
Added to this some beautiful, non-indigenous native trees were planted by students and teachers. The Lemon Centered Gums that were planted in the 1980s have since grown into magnificent specimens. All up, all these trees have long provided some excellent habitat for a wide variety of birds including Grey Butcherbirds, Lorikeets, families of Mopoke Owls and Wattlebirds.
Also of historical and cultural importance is the ANZAC memorial and the Lone Pine from the Gallipoli Peninsula. The government is proposing 145 houses for the site whereas Knox Council has suggested 25. Logic suggests that most of the trees that make this land special would be cut down under the state government’s proposal. 175 houses seem excessive and should be revisited before it is too late!
Peter Cook
Emerald
