- Home
- What's Happening
- News
- VCAT Removes Habitat For Housing At Lake Knox
Knox City Council is disappointed that the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has paved the way for a 105-lot residential subdivision on the north-western corner of Burwood Highway and Scoresby Road (621 Burwood Highway), Knoxfield.
Development Victoria’s proposal includes removing a waterbody supporting a number of species including the threatened Blue-billed Duck which is protected under Victorian legislation.
Despite attracting more than 1,170 objections, VCAT has decided to permit the residential subdivision allowing the decommissioning of ‘Lake Knox’.
Knox Mayor, Cr Jude Dwight said Council will continue to concentrate our best efforts towards ensuring the provision of housing is balanced with the need to respect environmentally-sensitive flora and fauna.
“This is a very disappointing outcome after such a lengthy appeal,” she said.
“In handing down its decision, the tribunal acknowledged it remains uncertain if the Blue-billed Duck will remain, that we may lose flora and fauna species and there will be vegetation losses.
“While the final decision is disappointing, Council succeeded in negotiating extensive permit conditions during the appeal process. These conditions provide the best available opportunity now to achieve a reasonable environmental outcome for the final development.
“The tribunal included conditions that require the establishment of new wetlands before the decommissioning of the existing waterbody, to give existing species like the threatened Blue-billed Duck the best chance of relocating to the new wetlands.
“Council would like to thank Knox’s environmental groups and residents, including the Knox Environment Society and Friends of the Glenfern Green Wedge, who contributed significant time and resources towards the lengthy VCAT appeals process alongside Council’s representatives.
“We will work with Development Victoria to achieve the best outcomes for the site that the permit conditions allow.”
Share
What's happening
-
Events, activities and festivals
- Knox Factor
- Festivals and civic events
- Bike education courses
- Bridging Generations: A cultural celebration event
- Business networking and tour at Bodacious Coffee
- Community event info and registration
- Community training: Grant writing
- Community training: Knox City Council Grant Programs Information Session
- Have Your Say
-
News
- A revitalised route for Boronia
- Business networking and Bodacious Coffee tour
- Buy right for a low waste future
- Check out our new Knox waste trucks
- Cr Susan Laukens elected Knox Mayor
- Electoral irregularities
- Free Community Training Workshops
- Get growing with Gardens for Harvest
- International Women's Day networking event
- Join our bike education courses
- Join the Environment Advisory Committee
- Join the Knox Multicultural Advisory Committee
- Kindergarten community panel
- Knox recycling efforts a huge success
- Knox retailer networking session
- LED streetlight upgrades across Knox
- Local play just got more exciting
- Move Your Way returns for 2025!
- New playground at Tim Neville Arboretum now open
- Paving the way, sustainably
- Protecting our green areas and significant spaces
- Race ready!
- Removal of pine trees at Koolunga Native Reserve
- Reusable Nappy Workshop
- Revitalising Boronia
- Rubbish bin lids are changing
- Safer streets for Boronia
- Showcase your creativity by reimagining waste
- StageScape - community performing arts festival
- Take time out in nature with Biodiversity Month
- Together we are Knox
- Transform your home with all-electric solutions
- Winning government grants and tenders workshop
- Arts in Knox
-
Major projects and initiatives
- Capital Works Projects at Sports Facilities
- Chandler Road shared path and road renewal project
- Demolition of Knox Basketball Stadium (Boronia)
- Gilbert Park upgrades
- Kings Park pavilion
- Lewis Park Masterplan
- Marie Wallace Park Upgrade
- Park Ridge Reserve Upgrade
- Tormore Reserve pavilion upgrade
- Wally Tew upgrade
- Wantirna Reserve redevelopment
- Community groups and volunteering
- Explore Knox
-
Event Calendar
- African Drumming (School Holiday Workshops)
- Bee Gees Revival
- Both Sides, Rachel Beck
- Burt Bacharach (Featuring Michael Cormick)
- Diamond
- Everly Brothers & Buddy Holly
- FRITZ (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre - Term 2 Classes
- Games afternoon (10 to 25 years)
- Kids Pottery (School Holiday Workshops)
- Knox StageScape (Music Night)
- Lady Be Good, The Songs of Ella Fitzgerald (Featuring Nina Ferro)
- Melbourne Comedy Showcase (ft. Dave O’Neil, Billy Stiles and Sonia Di Iorio)
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
- Pets in the Park
- STUFF! (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Sincerely Yours, Dame Vera Lynn (Featuring Victoria Mantynen)
- Sunglasses at Night. The 80-‘s Apocalypse Sing-Along Cabaret
- Tenori
- The Beatlez
- The Waiting Room, Born in a Taxi
- Tis the Season – A Very Jazzy Christmas Spectacular
- Wish Upon A Star – The Disney Songbook (ft. Danielle Matthews)
- Women of Wit
- You’re An Instrument (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Knox eNews