Lake Knox site in Knoxfield to be rezoned and turned into housing
The future of an endangered duck hangs in the balance with the State Government planning on turning the Lake Knox site into housing.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE future of an endangered duck hangs in the balance with the State Government planning on turning the Lake Knox site into housing.
Deemed as surplus, the 19ha government-owned property at 609-621 Burwood Highway in Knoxfield has been rezoned for development including residential, retail, office and commercial use.
FRIENDS OF LAKE KNOX SANCTUARY RALLY TO PROTECT IT
PLANS UNVEILED FOR UP TO 400 NEW HOMES ON VACANT KNOXFIELD SITE
But the much-loved, man-made waterway future is in danger with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning not confirming whether the lake would be drained and filled.
Save Lake Knox member Darren Wallace said the group would like to see the lake excised from any future development or maintained.
“The lake has a number of high conservation aspects including endangered plants and provides an important habitat to endangered species — the blue billed duck,” he said.
Mr Wallace the Lake Knox was one of only of the only bodies of water in the area with depth enough for the deep water diving duck.
He said the Government had previously discussed draining the lake and making the area into wetlands, which would be detrimental to the ducks that needed deeper water.
Knox Council city development director Steven Dickson said the council expected to be reviewing a development application for the site in the future.
“That’s when our planning team will go through their normal process of assessing all the information about whatever is proposed,” Mr Dickson said.
DELWP spokesman Michael Pollock the plans included provision for new wetlands to provide a habitat for endangered animals.
MORE NEWS
SMOKING BANNED AT TWO MORE PUBLIC SQUARES
WHERE MOTORISTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE PINGED ON THEIR PHONES
’You stole joy’: Family of slain couple slams killer driver
One man deciding to “have an adventure” left a family with “so much heartache and pain” when he sped through a Caulfield South red light and collided with a couple’s car at almost 220km/h.
Police investigate overnight ram raid in Pakenham
A commercial building in Pakenham was ram raided overnight with the offender stealing a power tool and knocking down a security fence.