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VCAT removes habitat for housing at Lake Knox

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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.”

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