Knox City Council has voiced its opposition to the Victorian Government’s plan to build 145 homes on a former school site amid local concerns about bushfire risks, stormwater management and habitat loss.
Mayor, Marcia Timmers-Leitch (pictured) said there had been no public notice and minimal consultation before the Minister approved the plan for the former Boronia Heights College site largely unchanged.
“Council first raised concerns about the proposal in August last year, and requested that the Minister not approve the development plan as proposed,” she said.
“Our concerns include the intensity of the development, a lack of information about social and affordable housing, the protection of habitat zones and vegetation, bushfire risks and drainage needed to manage increased stormwater runoff.”
In contrast, the Mayor says Council’s Housing Strategy identified the site as suitable for 25 dwellings, given the location of the site in the Dandenong foothills.
“We desperately need more social and affordable housing and it’s important for the residents of these future developments that they are located near services and public transport and not just dumped on vacant government sites.”
“What’s proposed is in stark contrast to the surrounding area, and there is a distinct lack of open space for a development that proposes to house so many people.
“We are seeking a meeting with the Minister to directly relay our concerns and advocate for significant changes to their plan,” she said.
Council was recently advised that the development plan was approved by a delegate for Planning Minister on 2 May 2023. It says no public notice of the proposed development plan was carried out as part of the consideration of the plan.
