Views of the Knoxfield Residents and Visitors to the Area

Well the Petition is finished. Early this morning, for the first time for ages, I heard a lone Kookaburra laughing.

One of the main complaints from the residents of Knoxfield is the lack of wildlife and birds in the last few years. Kookaburras and back yellow-tailed cockatoos were the main birds that are missing.

Many teenagers are passionate about the old canopy trees and the wildlife they protect and often they were the driving force in the parents signing. I was often badgered to let them sign as well, which I didn’t of course. In some households the male signed for the rest but in others all lined up to sign.

Some of the addresses are not Knoxfield but pretty well all these people have some connection with the area. They either grew up here or were back in the neighbourhood shopping or were visiting grown up children who now live here. Others were visiting aunts, cousins or friends; some were house sitting. It was very surprising how many people still shop here even though they have moved out of the area.

Comments were mostly about Kathryn Rd. Many will not park on it as it is viewed as very dangerous now. Others thought the treed part was where they wished they could have lived but now, with all the development, they were glad they didn’t. The next preferred address was Foster Cres.

Some who bought into the area a few years ago were lead to believe it was a low-density area but now find that it is rapidly changing. They are not amused to put it politely.

Some have already moved out because too much is going on but still shop here. They were sad this had to be the case. One man who has a house just over the fence from him is now able to sleep because it has new less noisy occupants. Others could not work at home because of noise from neighbours; others couldn’t hear their TV at times because of traffic on Kathryn Rd. Many had had their driveways blocked by cars after parties. Privacy was a big issue.

All were very concerned about over-development and canopy tree loss. Many asked don’t they realize trees bring rain and provide shade?

One person explained about the size of the sewerage pipes (he saw them being installed) and said they will not be able to cope with all this development.

Some didn’t sign although they agreed with the issues. They wanted individual letters to be sent. One “tradie” said he wanted the work so he didn’t care how much development went on but the government should plant trees in the catchment areas so it rains there, then we could have plenty of water here.

Some couldn’t see without their glasses to sign, some couldn’t write and wished they could sign.

Others looking for houses in the area said they did not want to live in someone’s backyard and they wanted more space.

Pretty well each time I was wished luck. It was a very humbling experience. I think that I am learning a lot about the environment but some of the information I was given and things I was shown absolutely amazed me.

What a great community with so much knowledge about this area.

Last EDO VCAT Workshop for 2008

EDO workshop – VCAT Planning & Environment Appeals


At Carlton Tuesday 9th December 2008, 5.30-7.30pm.

The 60L Green Building, 60 Leicester Street Carlton

Visit our website for details EDO Victoria

Registrations essential: call the EDO on 8341 3100 to register.

Council Elections

I've been informed on very good advice that ANDREW WALTER has been elected as the councillor for FRIBERG Ward. We look forward to working with Andrew for the betterment of Knoxfield and to ensure that any developments in Knoxfield meet with Knox City Council's policies and planning rules. And more importantly are appropriate to our suburb.
Congratulations to Andrew Walter, a resident of Knoxfield.
Ian

More success at Council

Last night was a most successful meeting at council for us, as all the lobbying paid off with three developments around Knox being refused. Our next door neighbor emailed all councillors about one development in Bayswater, which was a three storey development which did not fit the character of the area, open space provisions and height requirements, and her email was read into the motion of refusal.

The lobbying for No 32 Kathryn Road was also successful with our councillor, Debbie Field, moving a motion of refusal which was also enthusiastically supported by other councillors.

No 40 Kathryn Road was refused too, so overall a very successful night. We are making a difference,but we must ensure that council policy is adhered to with all planning applications. Councillors are directing their residents to us for advice, so our influence is spreading. Most developments though have gone to VCAT, where our fight will continue.

Our next battle is 10 Valetta Cres, where vegetation is planned to be removed for 8 double storey townhouses. 17 of these indigenous, canopy trees are 80 years or more in age. How can the planning department even consider advertising such a development in times of climate change and destruction of the few remaining wildlife corridors in our district. Neighbors behind this planned development have noted 32 different birds, some very rare to our suburb, that visit their property. Get an objection form today and submit your objections to this senseless development.

It’s going to be difficult to save Knoxfield as we know it, but it will be a fight worth the effort. If you value our suburb’s environment, act today.

EPBC Act review - submissions due 19 December 2008

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts has commissioned an independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which is required to be reviewed every 10 years. This is the first review of the EPBC Act since its commencement on 16 July 2000. The review will assess the operation of the EPBC Act and the extent to which its objects have been achieved.

Community participation in the review is encouraged through public consultation sessions and opportunity to make submissions.

Public submissions are due 19 December 2008. Further information is available on the review Website, including how to make a submission, terms of reference and the discussion paper.

The Review

The Discussion Paper

The Petition

The Petition that is currently circulating in the Knoxfield area is going very well.

However, if you haven't signed it or would like to collect in your area please email Save Knoxfield for details.

Some of the comments that I have had when collecting are:

"Since trees in Philip Rd have been cut down there are less birds."

"I moved here 15 years ago because I liked the area and now I have units all around me; this is not what I wanted."

From people who moved out because of all the development but still shop in the area.

"I just had to move because everything I cared about in the neighbourhood was going."

"Too much clearing of the native vegetation."

Others who had recently bought houses were concerned at the way the neighbourhood was going. Some wondered if they had made the right decision in moving to the area.

One person who didn't live in the area said why would you want to live here. You can't get anywhere without a car.

All wished us luck and said we are doing the right thing.

Why are we doing this? Well for me this video says most of it. We don't have the solutions to fix climate change yet we keep breaking it. There is a better way.

Severn Suzuki

Questions for Knox City Council Meeting - 28-10-08

Tonight at 5.30pm two questions for tonight’s council meeting were faxed to Knox City Council Offices, but somehow they were lost, misplaced or pigeon-holed due to their controversial nature. The fax machine from which they were sent provided a message stating they had been sent successfully.

These are the questions:

QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING 28-10-08

1.

Knoxfield residents congratulated council on the action taken in the budget to study the unique character of Knoxfield’s indigenous canopy trees. I’m seriously concerned, though, that if the felling of trees by developers continues as in No 75 Kathryn Road, there will not be any trees left to study.

Eleven indigenous Eucalyptus cephalocarpa (mealy stringybark ) canopy trees were removed. Only one tree was retained a grevillea robusta (native of northern Australia).

A moratorium on granting planning/building permits needs to be instigated immediately to save existing indigenous canopy trees.

Shaun Leane, MP, recently wrote to the CEO, concerning a moratorium and stated,

“I have been advised that in keeping with the Planning Act, the protocol is a formal request in writing from the council is required if council deems it appropriate to involve the Minister.”

A precedent exists for the Minister to grant a moratorium, as witnessed in Seaspray recently,

Therefore, following advice to council by Shaun Leane, MP, does the Knox City Council intend to request the Minister for Planning that a moratorium on granting planning/building permits be imposed in Knoxfield until the study into its unique indigenous canopy trees is completed?

2.

Following my question to the May council meeting requesting traffic count figures for Kathryn Road, I was unhappy with the Director of Engineering and Infrastructure’s response, as he stated that according to traffic counts development had little impact on the most recent traffic count.

I followed this up with correspondence and the Director’s response to Knoxfield residents and to me dated 13^th June 2008, was that the most recent traffic count for 2008 was 2,980 vehicles per day and stated this was a reduction on the previous year of 3,383 vehicles.

This statement inferred that traffic on Kathryn Road was not a problem and could cope with further development.

In actual fact figures provided to Cr Field by the Traffic Engineer indicate the traffic count taken in May had increased by 630 vehicles on the Director’s figures.

Therefore, would the Director of Engineering and Infrastructure explain what the actual traffic count was for Kathryn Road in May this year, as he has stated they were 2980 vehicles, while 3610 vehicles were released by the Traffic Engineer to Cr Field and if these recent figures are correct will the Director agree that development in Knoxfield has an impact on traffic flows on Kathryn Road?

Ian Simpson

The No 72 Anne Road & 61 Kathryn Road Development goes to VCAT

Objectors to the development for application for Nos 72 Anne & 61 Kathryn Road has gone to VCAT. The developer is contesting all grounds of refusal by the Knox City Council. The 123 residents that objected to this development should  have received notification from the developer that he is taking the matter to VCAT. All objectors now have the opportunity to lodge their objections to the development on VCAT Form B “Statement of Grounds”. Assume that VCAT knows nothing about the development and stress your concerns for this overdevelopment opposite the Anne Road shops.

If you are having trouble completing the form, seek help from David and Valerie on 9753 4243 or Ian and Maree on 9763 6226. Please remember that a copy of the form also needs to be forwarded to the developer “Planning Vision” and Knox City Council.

We need your help. Many people have expressed their frustration with the process and feel that they are being worn down by the developers. This is exactly what they want you to feel. We must remain strong and continue the fight.

FW: Journal article

 

 

For those that don’t get the Knox Journal, here’s an article from last week’s issue.

 

 Libs put suburb growth concerns on the agenda

BY WINSTON TAN

15/10/2008 12:49:00 PM

KNOXFIELD residents have met Liberal MPs in their latest move to prevent overdevelopment in their suburb.

The residents, Scoresby MP Kim Wells and Opposition planning spokesman Matthew Guy discussed their concerns this month about the State Government's Melbourne 2030 plan.

Resident Ian Simpson said a petition to Parliament was "in the pipeline" as a catalyst for a discussion of overdevelopment issues.

"Matthew Guy will be asking questions in Parliament pertinent to Knoxfield.

"That might get us greater publicity, and the more publicity we can get, the less the developers are likely to come in there."

Labor MP Shaun Leane said a 'moratorium' on overdevelopment in Knoxfield was still on his agenda. He said progress had been made in discussions with Planning Minister Justin Madden.

"It is predominantly a Knox Council issue, but I fully understand where the residents and councillors come from."

Mr Leane said he fully supported the council if it decided on a moratorium on planning permits until a study into trees in Knoxfield was done.

Mr Simpson said attempts to contact Mr Leane about the progress of his discussions had been unsuccessful.

"No one's been able to contact him. I've rung his office and been assured I'd get a call back and that hasn't happened. I've emailed him and didn't get a reply.

"Other people have tried to contact him too."

However, Mr Leane assured Knoxfield residents that he was still working on the matter.

 

Knoxfield planning issues

This week Matthew Guy, opposition planning spokesperson asked the following question of Justin Madden, Minister of Planning on Tuesday. To date he has not received a reply.

 

                                                                     

 

 

Tonight  I  raise  an  issue  for  the  Minister  for  Planning  concerning

development  occurring  in  the  city  of Knox in Melbourne's outer eastern

suburbs.  Recently I was alerted to an interesting newspaper article in the

Knox  Leader  of  23  September where I noted a member representing Eastern

Metropolitan  Region, Mr Leane, calling for a moratorium on all development

in  the suburb of Knoxfield until neighbourhood character studies have been

completed by the council.

 

 

Development  moratoriums  are  an  interesting  topic  particularly here in

Gippsland  where the minister has recently placed one at the request of the

Wellington  Shire on areas along the Ninety-Mile Beach. This is despite the

moratorium  closing  off  the  rights of local people to build on their own

land, even something as small as a garden shed.

 

 

But Knox is suffering what many people across the metropolitan area are now

dealing  with  --  that  is, a complete change in urban character thanks to

Melbourne  2030.  Melbourne  2030  has  forced  high-density development in

smaller  streets, such as Kathryn Road, developments that are very much out

of character with the existing urban and street character of the suburb.

 

 

It  is  only when listening to the concerns of local residents, and viewing

maps that give an indication of the change that is happening to some of the

smaller  streets  in  Knox,  that you can appreciate the concerns that many

locals  have  with  such  enforced change and a one-size-fits-all Melbourne

2030  policy  and what it has brought to those local communities. But worse

--  and what I fear more is planned for Knox -- is development that will be

out  of  step  with  this  urban  character that is planned through the new

residential zones (NRZ) document.

 

 

The  government's  NRZ  plan  will destroy the semblance of urban character

that  the  suburb  has  through  the  mandating  of high-rise, high-density

dwellings  with  no  corresponding  upgrades  in road, rail, water or power

infrastructure. The NRZ plan will change the way the suburb looks. The plan

contains  three  new  zones, two of which mandate high-rise. This plan will

devastate  many areas of Victoria. It will devastate Knoxfield. Leafy urban

areas  that are such a drawcard for people to live in Melbourne's east will

be a thing of the past.

 

 

Tonight I ask the Minister for Planning to listen to the people of Knox, to

listen  to  the  local  residents and to local members on both sides of the

house  who  understand  that  inappropriate  development  in this suburb is

getting way out of control, and to do one good thing for the people of Knox

-- that is, to scrap the planned new residential zones document.

 

 

 

 

THE VCAT COMMUNITY FORUM

 

TO ALL GROUPS

 

Wonderful to see so many of the groups represented.   I believe that if it were not for us, they would have had about 4 people there.

What was wonderful and came out very clearly was the spread of Melbourne we represented.   including but not complete     Broadmeadows, Darebin, Carlton, Southbank, Maribyrnong, Seddon, Hobsons Bay, Bayside, Stonnington, Malvern East,  Carnegie, Boroondara, Whitehorse, Doncaster, Kingston,  Mt Eliza, Camperdown, Daylesford and others.     That is quite a spread.  Others were registered but could not show up for various reasons.

 

Congratulations to all who came in spite of the bad timing.  I know others did not come because they feel so disillusioned with VCAT, or because the timing did not suit them or because they are just too busy.

 

Most of those mentioned spoke and spoke extremely well.    From different angles but the same stories.

 

The chairs of the meeting were VCAT President Justice Kevin Bell (still a Supreme Court Judge I understand) and Deputy President Helen Gibson.

Eventually she was pushed into letting people speak.

 

Many issues were raised for eg.

The unfairness of the developers being able to afford top barristers and these expert witnesses and so many councils not able to keep funding these fights.  There were 2 suggestions about this  1 -    that there be a blind bank of experts   set up and you take who is available  2 -   that the barristers and experts   be cut out completely  and return to a level playing field and the developer speaks for himself and the council speak for them selves and so do the residents.    Instead of Justice only for the rich.

 

 

When the scandal of Brookland Greens in Casey was raised, Justice Bell said we are not here to discuss individual items. (Nice way to hide from a discussion about it) 

 

Malvern East told how they had written a number of issues to be raised and were told they were not suitable  items.    They had then written to Justice Bell asking what would be suitable and   he actually admitted that he had not replied.       What was interesting was that all those forbidden  subjects were brought up by others.

 

Seddon raised the fact that VCAT only use the policies from M2030  that support development and ignore the policies that protect neighbourhood character.

 

It was raised in various ways that VCAT should not be a planning authority but just a review board to make sure that councils follow their own policies.

 

It was raised that if a developer brings amended plans to VCAT they should be told to take them back to council to be looked at again.  (VCAT responded that they were trying to save councils time and money)

 

It was raised that the 60 days is abused by developers and they delay getting info to councils and then rush off the VCAT b ecause they know they have a better chance of getting it approved by VCAT.

 

VCAT were told they are unelected and unaccountable and the community has lost all respect for the system. 

 

It was raised that councils often pass an inappropriate development because they say VCAT will approve it so we are wasting time and money to oppose it  so many things that are bad dont even get to VCAT,  because councils have no confidence in it.

It was raised that the local people and local councils usually know better about their area than VCAT, yet they are overruled.

 

This is getting long.  I am sure I have missed many  great points.  

If you want something passed around do get back to me.

 

Who knows if those VCAT people listened or actually heard.    As an optimist I hope so, as a realist, I doubt it.

They have heard from the community and as usual ignore it.

 

But I felt  proud to be there with so many really great people who are trying to keep the Marvellous in Melbourne, as well as coast and country.

Mary 

 

 

                    

  

VCAT Community Forum on the 13th October

I attended this forum on behalf of the Save Knoxfield and Friends of Egan Lee Group.

For VCAT Justice Kevin Bell President of the Tribunal (appointed in April) and Mrs Helen Gibson Deputy President.

There was not a huge attendance but enough very interesting and qualified people from the Melbourne area. (There was also one from Camperdown and one from Daylesford.)

This forum was part of a Review of VCAT by Justice Bell. There will be notices in the newspapers later asking for written submissions.

It was clearly stated by all there that the people were not being heard at VCAT.

That where VCAT suggested changes to the Council's Planning Scheme to stop inappropriate development they were not being accepted at Government level.

That only certain clauses were being given weight where as others, that would protect the environment and neighbourhood character, were largely being ignored.

That some VCAT members and Councils were not aware of all the facts or if they were they were being ignored.

The importance of considering neighbouring properties in the decision (which we know is not done in Knox). There was a case where a development had a brick wall on the plan and the one next door to it had balconies facing this wall. Eventually someone (VCAT) woke up and it was fixed.

Expert witnesses are a big problem at VCAT as far as the average person is concerned. (I am sure none of them slept well last night.)

The need to have the plans (as amended) available online and not hidden in Council Planning departments.

The Forum went over time so that everyone who attended could be heard. I was most impressed with this fairness and I am sure others were as well. Mrs Gibson answered questions after it concluded.

After the forum, what also came to light in discussions with the attendees was the number of people calling trying to get help with planning, VCAT and Council matters and most Groups said they didn't have the resources to help.

Neighbourhood character and its importance was also mentioned both during and after.

Ian will be back on Thursday and he, David and myself are off to the EDO VCAT seminar.

More later.


Irene M. Fullarton.

Further Meetings with local Politicians

 On Tuesday, Irene Kelly, Iren Fullerton, David Chaney and Ian Simpson ventured to Parliament to meet with Kim Wells, MP for Scoresby and Matthew Guy, Opposition Spokesperson on Planning. Both agreed that Knoxfield is under attack like much of Melbourne from developers, as a result of Melbourne’s 2030 Planning Policy.

Action decided upon at the meeting included

·    Questions being asked in Parliament of the Minister for Planning, and

·    Another petition being circulated to enable Kim Wells to present it to Parliament and enabling him to address the issues confronting Knoxfield residents from developers.

Both agreed that the Opposition, if they gain Government at the next election, would disband Melbourne’s 2030 Planning Policy and encourage development in areas of the city most suitable for medium/high development. They also warned that from January 2009 when new Planning Laws will be implanted that ONLY immediate neighboring residents to developments will be able to object to that development. This is taking away our rights as citizens in a democratic society to express ourselves when a grievance arises. If you are concerned by this action email, write or ring the Premier and Minister for Planning and inform them of your objection to this removal of democratic rights.

 

Email of Support for the Save Knoxfield Campaign

Well talk about taking my words out of my mouth - tonight I attended the Friends of Koolunga 15th Anniversary Celebration.  Amongst the many volunteers and Council staff attending (it was agood night) was a Planning Officer who sought me out as she knew of my association with Save Knoxfield.  She wanted to let me know how very important the lobbying and pressure being applied by Knoxfield residents re the developments and developers.  Apparently there was some reluctance on behalf of the developer of No. 75 to carry out the net gain required by Knox Council re that property but Plannning Officers were able to add pressure on him by saying the "local people" were very passionate about the environment and were very active and no doubt would be watching.  The officer wanted me to let the group know how much the officers appreciate their efforts as she is very aware that at times it can seem very difficult and thankless for community groups who can feel they are getting nowhere but she wanted us to be aware how effective this type of pro active behaviour can be.

 

 

Cheers and well done

 

 

No 44 Kathryn Road VCAT Notice

 

Tonight a BBQ was held for objectors to No 44 Kathryn Road development to inform them of how to respond to the VCAT notice received last week. To our surprise we discovered that some objectors have NOT received  information from the developer re his VCAT Application, as is his duty, under VCAT rules. If you were an objector to No 44 Kathryn Road (2 double storey townhouses and 8 single storey) and did not receive information from the developer please inform either David and Valerie Chaney or Ian and Maree Simpson immediately. All applications to lodge an abjection to VCAT must be in by the end of next week.

 

Computer Expertise

 

If anyone has computer expertise, has time to spare and is willing to help spruce up this Blogpage with the added ability to forward email petitions and make it more interesting please contact

 

saveknoxfield@ozemail.com.au

 

 

 

 

Update on Developments in Knoxfield

No 44 Kathryn Road

Today objectors to the development at No 44 Kathryn Road of 2 double storey houses and eight single houses would have received notification that the developer has appealed the process to VCAT. The developer has appealed against the time taken by Knox City Council to make a decision on this matter. Councils must make a decision within 60 days of the close of the advertising period of the application. The developer has taken no notice of the reasons for the development being refused by council. The reasons being:

            1. The development is contrary to Clause 19.03 and 21 (State Planning Policy Framework) and Clause 22.10 (Local Planning Policy Framework - Housing Policy) of the Knox Planning Scheme in the following instances:

               (a) The site is not within a preferred location for new housing being outside an Activity Centre, Principal Public Transport Network and not an identified Strategic Redevelopment Site and is not consistent with the neighbourhood character of the area.

               (b) The development does not comprise a range of dwelling size and type.

            2. The development will detract from the garden character of the neighbourhood due to the extensive hard surface areas and is contrary to Clause 22.07 – Neighbourhood Character Local Planning Policy.

            3. The development provides insufficient private open space to Dwellings 2 and 9, contrary to Standard B29 of ResCode.

            4. The development (Dwellings 1 and 2) will unreasonably overlook adjoining properties contrary to Standard B22 of ResCode.

It seems that anyone that wishes to appear before VCAT to lodge an objection needs to complete the Form B Statement of Grounds, to appear at the hearing. We must lodge our objections again to VCAT.

VCAT has assured us that this application will not be heard until January 2009. Keep watching this page for updates.

 

No 72 Anne Road & No 61 Kathryn Road

Now objectors to this development might be surprised that this application has been refused by the Knox City Council planners without it going to a council meeting. Presumedly this action is to beat the 60 day rule. Why then couldn’t the planners for the No 44 development have taken the same action? In reading the report for No 44 Kathryn Road, which was presented to council at its September meeting, one would assume it was passed until you read the last paragraph. There are some serious questions that need to be asked about the action taken in the case of No 44 Kathryn.

The reasons for No 72 Anne Road & 61 Kathryn Road are:

 

VCAT Action

All this action seems to be taking place either in the lead up to Christmas or just after when people are on annual holidays. Is this surprising that it makes it easier for the developer to get a favorable decision.

We must stand firm and keep on objecting otherwise our appeals to Knox City Council mean nothing.

Keep checking this page for further updates. A meeting of objectors is being planned for a date in the following week. Notices will be delivered shortly.

 

A Win and a Loss

A WIN

The campaign to save Knoxfield from developers has moved up a notch with a win from Knox City Council. At its meeting last Tuesday council refused a permit for the development of No 44 Kathryn Road. This means that the application will in all probability go to VCAT for a decision.

A LOSS

Have you seen the destruction of No 75 Kathryn Road to development.
Here's a video taken with the previous owner's permission of the front garden.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2WM6UCHrkE

And here's a photo after the clearing of the block last week.

So much for the "Green and leafy image of Knox" so often mentioned in Knox City Council's policies. How this development was passed we have no idea! There are many questions to be asked about this development as plans were continually unavailable to residents during the application process. This action calls into doubt the application process .

To date some residents have met with Shaun Leane, State Upper House member for this area and a meeting is currently being set up with Kim Wells and Matthew Guy, the Opposition Planning Spokesperson. It seems that questions need to be asked in parliament, to stop this terrible destruction of our environment, just to make some people very wealthy.

Planning Consultative Meeting for No 40 Kathryn Road

 Tonight the Planning Consultative Meeting for No 40 Kathryn Road was conducted at the council offices and attended by The Mayor, Jim Penna, Cr Debbie Field, planning staff, the developer, and approximately 20 objectors. Unfortunately the meeting was controlled so rigidly I think the Mayor was afraid it might get out of hand. Other PCC meetings have been much more relaxed and offered everyone the opportunity to speak and question closely. The Mayor has made it known that he doesn’t want Knoxfield residents interfering in the State Planning Laws.

David Chaney, Peter Shearman, Ian Simpson, Margaret Oaten, Joyce Ward and Jeanette Spencer addressed issues concerning residents. The developer tried to counter our arguments concerning Rescodes, over-development, infrastructure, safety issues, rubbish bin collections, additional traffic on Kathryn Road and car parking implications caused by the development. The developer gave us the impression he wasn’t willing to negotiate any changes, even though he said he’d discuss a reduction in dwellings with the owner. At the close of the meeting Cr Debbie Field addressed the issues of concern that were not covered by the speakers for the residents. She stated the importance of trees and open space for the mental well being of residents and surveys showing 80% of motorists speed along Kathryn Road.

Most Knoxfield residents are not against development, but over-development as this planning application demonstrates. Developments that meet the neighborhood character and retain trees would be welcomed. A maximum of six dwellings on this site would retain high canopy trees and support the unique character of Knoxfield.

Council will consider the development at No 44 Kathryn Road at it’s meeting next Tuesday 23^rd September at 7.30pm. This business should be over by 8.30, so come along and show council the residents of Knoxfield don’t want over-development and wish to retain our high canopy trees.

Knoxfield Planning Issues

 Planning Issues in Knoxfield.

 

Cr Mick Van de Vreede along with Cr Debbie Field have both been active in their support of Knoxfield residents in their fight against over-development, especially double storey townhouses. Both played a critical part in developing the Knox Housing Policy of 2007 and have stated quite unequivocally that they got it wrong concerning the 400 metre distance from Neighborhood Activity Centres for medium/high density development. They have stated they did not realize the impact this would have on village type neighborhoods like Knoxfield. Thus Cr Mick Van de Vreede moved the call-up item for Cr Debbie Field in her absence at the August Council Meeting. If council’s report supports the move to alter the Knox Housing Policy of 2007 and have it approved by the Minister for Planning for inclusion in the Melbourne 2030 Planning Policy it will alleviate the impact of this medium/high density housing in Knoxfield and in Kathryn Road in particular. I’m confident council’s report will support this move. This call-up item is the result of much lobbying by David Chaney and myself.

 

Combined with this call-up item is also the report being drawn up by council for an earlier call-up item by Cr Debbie Field to look at “preserving the unique character of Knoxfield’s high canopy indigenous trees”. Each development includes the removal of trees, as in No 75 Kathryn Road, where development has just commenced.

Last Friday representatives of Knoxfield residents, Irene Fullerton, Irene Kelly, David Chaney and Ian Simpson, met with Shaun Leane MP Legislative Council, to brief him of our concerns and he recommended that a “Moratorium on Development in Knoxfield” be applied until Knox City Council completes its study of the “unique character of Knoxfield’s trees”. Shaun Leane said he would make an appointment with Justin Madden, Minister for Planning, this week to recommend his course of action. The residents were delighted with this recommendation, as it will provide some breathing space from the constant barrage of planning applications being submitted to council for the Knoxfield area. This pressure has been constant since April when we were first alerted to the impending developments.

 

Residents will be aware, though, that a Planning Consultative Meeting is to be held for the development at No 40 Kathryn Road on the 16^th September and No 44 Kathryn development will be considered by council at its September 23^rd meeting. Residents are appreciative of the opportunity provided by Knox City Council to object to developments and to provide constructive criticism at the Planning Consultative Committee Meetings. This does not occur in many councils across Victoria.

 

Melbourne 2030 and its lack of foresight in planning is the major cause of the problems in Knoxfield. The effect of the 400 metre medium/high density development zone around Neighborhood Shopping Centres is the direct cause of the planned developments in Knoxfield. Policy developers just looked at a solution to a problem without considering the impact of that policy and how it could devastate a community. Lack of planning to upgrade 1960’s infrastructure has resulted in power blackouts caused by a transformer not coping with the load on cold mornings. Drainage and sewerage problems are a constant problem as is the water pressure. The older suburbs, ill planned as they were in the 1960s, just cannot cope with the demand placed upon them by a large increase in the population. Other issues include Knoxfield Shopping Centre being included as a Neighborhood Activity Centre, which is the smallest of those listed in the Knox Housing Statement 2007, it doesn’t have the transport facilities of the others named and doesn’t even have traffic lights controlling entry to the centre for cars and pedestrian traffic. Other centres like Wellington Village, Rowville Lakes, Studfield and Knox Gardens are larger, have greater services, traffic lights and much better public transport services.

 

Other Melbourne 2030 issues that are of concern are the restrictions placed on planners in relation to planning applications:

• Planning applications must be considered in isolation, even when neighboring properties both have planning applications which would result in an additional 21 houses.
• Rescodes are only guidelines and are not prescriptive
• “Vegetation Overlay 3” does little to protect the indigenous high canopy trees
• Restrictive timelines imposed upon the council to make decisions, and
• The repetitive nature of residents needing to object to each planning application when similar arguments apply to all applications.

 

Knoxfield indigenous canopy trees are being removed

Soon most of the indigenous canopy trees at number 75 Kathryn Rd will be gone. Most would be 80 to 90 years old.

While this property has a very long story (more on that to come later) I would like to tell you that there is a Cinnamon Wattle (Acacia leprosa) in the front garden. (See video below.)

Under the Vegetation Protection Overlay 3 on this property none of the under-story or any trees that are not covered by the VPO 3 can be counted so they can be off-set somewhere else. This is a tragic loss in the wildlife food corridor to Egan Lee Reserve.

About the Acacia leprosa:

"Federation Flower for Victoria

Acacia leprosa (Cinnamon Wattle - red flowered form)

Scarlet Blaze

Newly Discovered Wattle Becomes Victoria's Federation Floral Emblem

Scarlet Blaze, one of the twentieth century's most surprising and significant horticultural discoveries is Victoria's Centenary of Federation floral emblem.

The blood-red variety of the Cinnamon Wattle (Acacia leprosa) was found growing in a Victorian forest in 1995 by two bush walkers. They took cuttings to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, which manages a specialised plant conservation program, thereby saving many plants from probable extinction."

The Knox City Council are planning to spend money to educate residents to plant more trees and native vegetation. The purpose of my posts will be visually educate the Council just what is happening in special areas like Knoxfield.

Now residents have realised that their area is being destroyed they are fighting to save it. In the 10 years we have had canopy tree protection much of it has been removed. We can't allow this to continue.

Regardless of what the experts say we know there is a big problem. Many of us are trying to keep our plants alive but, with shade vanishing, the area is becoming hotter. There are big changes in the native bird population.

Large habitat trees clean the air, store carbon and generally make you feel better. They are the lungs of the Urban area. They bring much needed rain.

Victoria has one of the worst records for loss of wildlife and plants.

More people are dying from the effects of heat than ever before.

Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world.

Australia's climate is one of the world's driested.

And developers want to concrete much of Knoxfield contributing to climate change.

We say NO.

Enjoy the video.

Press Release from Peter

 Look what they’ve done to my suburb Ma! (with apologies to Melanie Safka)

With the backing of the Victorian State Government, developers are moving in, buying up existing single dwelling properties and then turning them into high density double story townhouse ‘estates’.  This is not only happening in the city of Knox but right across Victoria.

Some larger ‘garden suburb’ blocks in Knoxfield are set to be redeveloped with 10 or 12 double & single story townhouses.

The impact of up to 50 people living on a single block is compounded by the growing number of similar developments already built or currently in the planning stages.

Developer supplied plans are often vague, ‘ResCode’ rules are being bent and council guidelines are being ignored in the rush to put as many ‘investment units’ as possible onto existing blocks in quiet established residential areas.

Neighbours are suddenly realising that they will have multiple two storey houses on their fence line, restricting their views, natural light and encroaching on their privacy.

These high density developments are also overloading critical utility services such as power, gas, water, sewerage & storm water systems.  These utilities, planned in the 1960’s, were never designed to handle multiple occupancy housing.  Who will plan, organise & pay for the required infrastructure upgrades? Not the developers!

These developments usually require the clearing of all existing established native & non-native vegetation.  This flora cannot be replaced in the short term and is already impacting on the numbers of native birds & wildlife that are unique to ‘green’ suburbs in the Knox region.

Limited off-street parking provided in these developments leads to traffic problems and accidents where residents & visitors have to park in numbers on narrow suburban streets.

Many of these developments supposedly cater for family living but little though is given to providing a reasonable community area on site for children to play in safety.

Neighbourhood action groups are springing up all over Melbourne to fight many of these proposals but local councils only have limited powers to reject these planning applications.  The developer can always appeal to VCAT which can over rule council & residents objections.

Under the State Governments ‘Melbourne 2030’ housing plan any remaining local government powers will soon be removed.  This will prevent all but adjacent residents from fighting development proposals and it will be at State Government level.

Whilst residents continue to oppose inappropriate local development the real changes are needed at State Government level.  We need to tell our elected State Government representatives that local planning decisions must remain with our elected local government representatives and not with someone in an office in the CBD who has no idea of local planning issues.

We need people to write to their local State Government representatives asking them to force changes to the 2030 plan to allow major control to remain with local council planning groups.

 

Peter Shearman

Janden Close

Knoxfield.

 

Successful Council Meetings on Tuesday 26th August

Tuesday 26^th August 27, 2008 was a successful day for our campaign against overdevelopment in Knoxfield. A meeting was organized by Cr Debbie Field with the Mayor, Jim Penna and senior representatives of the Planning Department at Knox City Council. Then the monthly council meeting provided success again for our lobbying of councillors.

Firstly representatives of the residents met with the Mayor, Jim Penna, the Director of City Development, Angelo Kourambas and Paul Dickie, Manager of Planning. The residents were represented by David Chaney, Irene Kelly, Irene Fullerton and myself. We were provided with opportunity to address our concerns, which were:

·    Overdevelopment of planning applications

·    Concern with double storey townhouses which are out of character with the area.

·    The intensity of development in Kathryn Road

·    The detrimental effect on the old 1960’s infrastructure on sewerage, drainage, power and gas supplies and traffic on Kathryn Road

·    Concern with the removal of remnant forest canopy trees and the effect on wildlife

·    The poor quality of plans released by the Planning Department for advertising, especially with a total disregard for Rescodes and Vegetation Overlays

Paul Dickie responded to our claims stating the restrictions in which the planners had to operate especially in regard to the Melbourne 2030 Policy. Paul Dickie intimated that the current planning applications will in all probability go to VCAT for a decision, which infers that council will not pass them. If this occurs we must attend VCAT in numbers to present our case.

Secondly, at the monthly council meeting last night Cr Mick van de Vreede moved a “Call-Up Item” to reduce the 400 metre perimeter, which enables medium/high density housing around Neighborhood Activity Centres, to 200 metres. This was achieved after much lobbying by both David Chaney and myself. We are mindful that to bring about change to the Melbourne 2030 Policy will be very difficult and we’ll need much help from the community of Knoxfield.

The doors of communication are now open with the responsible planning officers in council and we’ve been invited to contact them whenever necessary. We certainly intend doing that.