Ferntree Gully MP takes issue with Knoxfield housing development consultation on Lake Knox
Plans by Development Victoria to put wetlands in place of a man-made lake that supports deep-diving ducks have been attacked by a local pollie who wants the community to be heard.
Outer East
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The fate of Lake Knox continues to hang in the balance as the State Government pushes on with its consultation on the 19.2ha Knoxfield site.
Development Victoria has run a series of community sessions and is spruiking its survey on the Burwood Highway and Scoresby Rd property, which it plans to turn into a new residential site, thereby reducing the lake to wetlands.
As it stands, Lake Knox is one of the only bodies of water in the area with enough depth for the deep water-diving duck.
Ferntree Gully state Liberal MP Nick Wakeling has described the consultation as a sham and called on the State Government to allow a proper discussion on whether the lake could be saved.
According to information on its website, Development Victoria has said while it understood the community’s view on the man-made lake, the dam was structurally unsound and at risk of collapse within two years.
It also said the dam was deep and it could be difficult to rescue someone if they fell in.
But Mr Wakeling said he recently raised the issue in parliament and called for a hold on the process.
He said anyone who joined the working group was prohibited from speaking to the media about the project and would be working on helping shape the development of the wetlands, rather than trying to save the lake.
“Allow residents to put their views forward on the lake and go to a proper consultation to thrash the issue out,” Mr Wakeling said.
“They’re treating the local community as mugs.
“Residents don’t want to be involved when they can’t put their views forward to retain the lake.”
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He said the issue of the lake should be discussed and the Government should be working with the community to see if any issues could be overcome to save what was there already.
A Development Victoria spokeswoman, who refused to be named, said the proposed development site was set to become “a vibrant new community” with a diverse range of housing, open and recreational spaces.
“Development Victoria is engaging with the local community in November to understand their views and aspirations for the site,” the spokeswoman said.
“Feedback received will be incorporated into the early phase of design. The community will be able to provide further feedback in early 2020 once the initial masterplan is developed.”