13/15 Kathryn Road, Planning Aplication P/2012/6050

 

 

 

The planned development at 13/15 Kathryn Road, consisting of 8 double storey houses and 1 single story house is of concern,as:

 

1. It clearly is an overdevelopment for 2,650 sq metres.

2. Only has two visitor parking spaces, therefore extra visitors will park on Kathryn Road, against a single white line which is illegal.

3. Has only a 7.1 metre setback.

4. Is out of character with single storey developments on either side of 13/15 Kathryn Road.

5. No on-site provision for rubbish bin collection.

6. Has no where for trucks to park during development, creating traffic congestion on a dangerous hill on Kathryn Road.

 

 

The closing date for objections is 1^st July 2012, next Sunday, which means Monday 2^nd July will suffice.

Ten objections are required to get a planning meeting with the developers.

 

Home Alert for Knoxfield

 

 

Hi Folks,

I think we may have a fight on our hands again. No 52 Kathryn must be preserved as a site of local significance. This is probably the only remnant bushland set amongst residential houses in Knoxfield, No 52 also has been designated as a "Site of Biological Significance" by the City of Knox and the advert has no notice of this fact, but advertises it as a site suitable for development. You can find the Knox web page devoted to this site at the above web page. No 48 Kathryn Road is also advertised for sale too.

 

The scenario we presented to VCAT when we attended to fight numbers 40 and 44 Kathryn Road is now presenting itself. That is six acre blocks with 10 to 12 apartments on each. We already have four of those blocks either built on or pending. This is the massacre of Knoxfield we feared.

 

At all costs we must save No 52 Kathryn Road from the developers. What a wonderful idea it would be if the City of Knox, the State Government  and Knox Environment Society could work out a scheme to preserve this site of remnant bushland.

 

 

 

 

Planning the main headache for Melbourne and Yarra residents - put a comment

It is not only Knoxfield residents that are concerned with planning. Read the article below for an explanation.

 

A walk down Kathryn Road makes one wonder whether we live in the inner or outer suburbs. Look at the gardens in these latest developments, an absolute disgrace to residents that have pride in their suburb. Whatever happened to those magnificent gardens that were presented and articulated in VCAT? Whatever happened to the advanced canopy trees that were to be planted? Most have simply died as they were planted in water logged clay.

 

This is just as we expected, without constant supervision from Knox City Council the developers get away with the cheapest option.

 

Here’s the article from the Melbourne Leader.

 

Melbourne Leader Article

 

Planning the main headache for Melbourne and Yarra residents

 

THE threat of skyscrapers destroying the character of their neighbourhoods causes Melbourne Leader readers to lose sleep at night.

A Leader survey has found residents in the Melbourne and Yarra municipalities are the most prone to worrying about planning and development matters.

Respondents were asked to rate their concerns across a number of issues, ranging between zero (not at all concernced) and 10 (extremely concerned).

Local readers' mean score on planning matters was 7, compared with 6.3 across the metropolitan area.

Former lord mayor Kevin Chamberlin, now chairman of the North and West Melbourne Association, said he wasn't surprised by the results.

"I think it's a very informed response. It's clear that planning was out of control under (former Planning Minister) Justin Madden and the Labor Party, and it has resulted in a lot of inappropriate developments being approved," Mr Chamberlin said.

Melbourne and Yarra residents were also more concerned than average about crowding on public transport (mean score of 7.8), climate change (7.6) and urban density (6.2).

But Melbourne and Yarra readers were less concerned about urban sprawl (5.8), access to the city (4.4), access to schools (3.5), water shortage (6.9) and petrol prices (5.5).

The results were from Leader's 2010 Cash for Comment. Readers told us what matters to them, what makes them happy and what bothers them.

Some lucky readers shared in the $10,000 cash prizes offered by Leader.

>>What needs to be done to alleviate residents' concerns about planning and development? Have your say below

http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/planning-is-a-local-headache/#comment-form

__._,_.___

 

McDonald's Win - Leader Newspaper publicity

All Knoxfield residents that participated in having the McDonald’s Restaurant overturned in VCAT are invited to a photoshoot by the Knox Leader newspaper on the McDonald’s site at 9.30am tomorrow (Thursday 10^th Feb)

McDonald's VCAT decision

 

Some great VCAT news for Knoxfield.

 

At last we’ve had a win. The McDonald’s review against Knox City Council’s decision not to approve the restaurant on Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield was won by the council and residents.

 

The main reasoning was that it was considered to be an inappropriate activity in a Residential 3 Zone and residents’ concerns with traffic management.

 

This is a wonderful result for the power of the little people and excellent representation by Knox City Council at VCAT.

 

So after eight visits to VCAT we have had a win and I must say the most important win as a McDonald’s restaurant would have had a major detrimental impact on Knoxfield.

 

What a pity some of the other VCAT visits did not have the same result!

McDonald's Restaurant

Congratulations to the eight objectors that ventured to VCAT for  the McDonald’s Restaurant proposal and presented their arguments. A good hearing was conducted by the chair enabling a well-balanced argument against the restaurant to be heard. Objections centred on disruption to the neighbors’ lifestyle, traffic problems created by the proposal, lack of parking space within the restaurant, security in the vicinity, increased traffic, litter and smells for Kathryn Road residents and the undesirable effect on the Knoxfield Shopping Centre.

 

VicRoads also presented an argument against the traffic flow proposal presented by McDonalds, forcing McDonalds to present two scenarios. Option A had traffic entering and leaving the restaurant in both Ferntree Gully and Kathryn Roads and Option B with entry only from Ferntree Gully Road and an entry and exit in Kathryn Road. Option B was VicRoads desired plan, which creates numerous problems for management of the restaurant with three entry points and only one exit point for all traffic including delivery vans. At the conclusion to the hearing, the chair announced that as VicRoads control Ferntree Gully Road option B is the only option he can consider. McDonalds do not want Option B, so they announced that it looks like we’ll all have to return to VCAT in the future.

 

With some luck or good fortune we can hope that McDonalds will see the problems their proposal creates and withdraw their plan for a restaurant at the corner of Kathryn and Ferntree Gully Roads.

 

Congratulations must go to Kerry  for his research into the parking for this and nearby McDonalds’ stores. His close questioning of expert witnesses also added much input to the residents case against. Thanks also to Peter, Rafaele, Nick and Ian for their presentations.

 

We now await the decision of the VCAT.

Tawny Frogmouth in Knoxfield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I took this photo of a Tawny Frogmouth and her young one in a tree in Kathryn Road, Knoxfield. The Tawny Frogmouth feeds on rodents, small possums and large insects. You may hear them banging their prey on your spouts at night while they kill them.

 

With the continual building of townhouse units in Kathryn Road and depriving the wildlife of their habitat, what is to become of special visitors like these to our gardens. When was the last time you saw an Eastern Spinebill honeyeater in your garden. In the past they were frequent visitors to our gardens. Try planting some native plants like Correas and Epacris (heath) in your garden may encourage them to come back.

 

Knoxfield is rich in wildlife, it’s a shame that we are continually depriving them of a home just to over-populate our suburb.

 

VCAT has notified us that the hearing will now begin on the 14^th December 2010 and go for four days. Please keep these dates clear in your diaries if you intend appearing before the tribunal

McDonalds and VCAT

If you lodged an objection to Knox City Council against the McDonald’s Restaurant planning application you should have received notification from URBIS that they are taking the planning application to VCAT. In the letter of notification you should have received a “Statement of Grounds” form. It is important that you complete this form to again lodge your reasons for an objection. To do this follow these steps:

 

1.       Complete your personal details

2.       List briefly your objections that you submitted to Knox City Council

3.       Make two photocopies of your Statement of Grounds and forward them to: URBIS and the Knox City Council

4.       Write in the space provided the date you forwarded these copies to URBIS and Knox City Council

5.       Mail your Statement of Grounds to VCAT by Friday 28^th May 2010

 

Completion of this form then registers you to make a presentation of your objections to VCAT. The date and time of the hearing will be notified to you in due course. It is essential that as many objectors as possible attend this hearing to show the tribunal we don’t want this restaurant at this site in Knoxfield.

 

Should you require assistance in completing the Statement of Grounds you may contact me on 0425756688

 

Ian Simpson

Knoxfield Residents are not afraid of Change

At the 27th April Knox City Council meeting Cr Gill, when moving an amendment to approve the McDonald’s Restaurant, stated that residents (of Knoxfield) were afraid of change. I need to correct Cr Gill, as Knoxfield residents appreciate that change and development must take place to house the population explosion we are experiencing, but this development must be in character with our suburb and be in pace with the infrastructure of roads and services. Not over-development as we are witnessing in Kathryn Road wherein a distance of 250 metres four houses will be replaced by thirty-five residences. This development must respect the leafy green bushland type character of the area and the wildlife that visits our properties. If we wanted over-development Cr Gill we would be living in inner suburbs like Richmond.

Our Garden for Wildlife is frequently visited by pardelotes, eastern spinebills, crimson rosellas, rainbow lorikeets to name a few and we have nightly visits from possums, tawny frogmouths, fruit bats and occasionally the powerful owl. We wish to retain this environment and preserve our trees.

Knoxfield residents vigorously opposed the McDonald’s Restaurant mainly because it was an inappropriate development in a Residential 3 Zone, that would have created dangerous traffic conditions for Kathryn Road and Knox Place, safety issues for pedestrians, damage the economy of the Knoxfield Shopping Centre and have a major environmental impact on immediate neighbors.

The first argument that developers have stated in various forums is that residents are afraid of change, it is a shame that some councilors that have the responsibility to independently assess developments use the terminology of developers. How independent are they?

Knox Council Refuses McDonald's Planning Application

 On a vote of 6 to 3, council last night refused the planning application for McDonald’s on the following grounds:

That Council issue a Notice of Refusal to Grant a Planning Permit for Use and development of the land for a convenience restaurant with associated landscaping, carparking, advertising signs and alteration of access to a Category 1 Road at 1563 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield due to the following grounds:

            1. The proposed use does not satisfy any of the purposes of the Residential 3 Zone and is inappropriate for the chosen site.

            2. Traffic management arrangements are unacceptable and would have an adverse impact on existing traffic movements and on surrounding uses.

            3. The proposed use and development would cause unreasonable adverse amenity impacts to surrounding residential uses, is an overdevelopment, and the landscaping design and package of advertising signs are inappropriate and unacceptable.

Cr Andrew Walter passionately moved the motion stating this application would create a dangerous intersection at Kathryn and Ferntree Gully Roads. He also stated that it would be dangerous for the youth that use the skate park, would create overspill of parking at Knoxfield shops and impact badly on Kathryn Road.

The meeting threatened to develop into a stale mate with Cr Gill initially moving an amendment that would have permitted the McDonald’s application. The fourteen page legalistic motion presented by Cr Gill took 40 minutes to read and was seconded by Cr Cole and supported by Cr Pearce. All other councilors opposed the amendment, and then the original motion to refuse the application was put and won. Besides Cr Walter’s passionate argument, intelligent reasoned and supportive comments were also made by Crs Cooper, Van der Vreede and Mortimer.

Now if it goes to VCAT residents need to reply to VCAT’s correspondence and attend the hearing in large numbers to have an impact on their decision.

Refusal Notice for McDonalds

Knox Council Planning Department have REFUSED the McDonald’s Application for a restaurant.

This is Good News Wednesday, well for Stage 1.

Next we must make sure that all councillors follow the recommendation of the Planning Department. Email all councillors reminding them of the Recommendation from the Planning Department and encouraging them to vote accordingly.

 

Be prepared to attend VCAT as it will surely go there. Forty passionate residents would have a major impact on this tribunal.

 

This decision is due to your objections and attendance at the PCC meeting. Find below the email addresses of all Knox City Councillors

 

 

 RECOMMENDATION

That Council issue a Notice of Refusal to Grant a Planning Permit for Use and development of the land for a convenience restaurant with associated landscaping, carparking, advertising signs and alteration of access to a Category 1 Road at 1563 Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield due to the following grounds:

            1. The proposed use does not satisfy any of the purposes of the Residential 3 Zone and is inappropriate for the chosen site.

            2. Traffic management arrangements are unacceptable and would have an adverse impact on existing traffic movements and on surrounding uses.

            3. The proposed use and development would cause unreasonable adverse amenity impacts to surrounding residential uses, is an overdevelopment, and the landscaping design and package of advertising signs are inappropriate and unacceptable.

 

Report Prepared By: Planner (Nick Robins)

Report Authorised By: Director – City Development (Angelo Kourambas)

 

Knox City Councillors

 

Cr David Cooper - david.cooper@knox.vic.gov.au

               Cr Adam Gill -          adam.gill@knox.vic.gov.au

               Cr Andrew Walter – andrew.walter@knox.vic.gov.au

                Cr Peter Cole – peter.cole@knox.vic.gov.au

                Cr Joe Cossari (Mayor) – joe.cossari@knox.vic.gov.au

                Cr Sue McMillan – sue.mcmillan@knox.vic.gov.au

                Cr Mick Van der Vreede - mick.vandevreede@knox.vic.gov.au

                 Cr John Mortimore -  john.mortimore@knox.vic.gov.au
 

                Cr   Darren Pearce - darren.pearce@knox.vic.gov.au

 

Urgent Message - Maccas Meeting Tomorrow

Just a reminder that the Planning Meeting with McDonald’s restaurant and the council is on tomorrow night at the council offices at 7.30pm. Please try to make it as we need as many people in attendance as possible to show that there is opposition to this proposal. Michael Colling had a meeting with Cr Andrew Walter recently and was told by him that as no-one has contacted him about McDonalds he assumes that there’s NO opposition to it. Maybe the petition of 600 voters might change his mind. If you haven’t signed the petition there’s a copy at the Knoxfield Newsagency and Tony’s Fish and Chip Shop, but only until Tuesday morning.

Cheers and hopefully see you tomorrow

Ian

McDonald's Objections and Petition

If you still wish to lodge an objection to the McDonald's Restaurant it is not too late. Council will accept objections up until a council meeting considers the objection, which will be in April.

There is also a petition circulating. Most Knoxfield take-away foodshops, the newsagency and pharmacy have copies of the petition for you to sign. Let's show the councilors that residents in Knoxfield DON"T want a McDonald's Restaurant in our suburb.

Ian

McDonald's Campaign

 Today I rang Paul Dickie, Manager of Planning, Knox Council, re McDonald’s Application and was told that to date 106 objections have been received by the council. This does not mean that you can’t still send in objections, as council must receive them until decision day which will be Tuesday 29^th April 2010.

Knox Council has set down the 16^th March for a Planning Consultation Committee meeting with the objectors, the applicant (McDonalds), councilors and Planning staff. You must mark this date in your diaries as it is essential that all objectors attend to display our opposition to this planned restaurant. Usually everyone that attends has an opportunity to speak. All objectors will receive an official invitation to this meeting from Knox City Council. Hopefully we’ll be able to present our concerns to McDonalds, the councilors and the council officials that make the decision.

Today I delivered petition forms to the take-away restaurants, butchers and newsagency, hoping that we can get many hundreds of signatures in opposition to this planning proposal. The petition only counts as one objection, but it delivers a message to the councilors about the wishes of residents.

If you wish to help further with the petition I have included a copy in this email. It is essential that everyone signs in the appropriate place and that only this form be used. Additional pages attached without the wording will not be accepted.

Thanks for your assistance and let’s win this campaign

Ian 0425756688

Macca's Campaign

My apologies to everyone as I typed the wrong application number on the objection form, which went to council. Fortunately all that were delivered to my house were corrected before being submitted but some got through the system. Everyone apparently got a the same letter stating the wrong application number was entered.

I’ll check on the final number next week, but earlier this week there were about 100 objections lodged.

Ian

McDonald's Restaurant

Did you read the Opinion page of the Knox Leader for the 15^th December 2009?

A very interesting letter exists which spells danger for the residents of Kathryn Road and the Knoxfield Shops.

Macca Mayhem

Knox residents are being very smart by opposing the proposed 24/7 McDonald’s in Ferntree Gully Road.

I live within the vicinity of the Ferntree Gully 24/7 McDonald’s in Clyde St and am constantly frustrated with the disruption this Macca causes to the neighborhood.

The drive-through constantly blocks access to Clyde St at peak times with vehicles lining up in both directions, forcing other vehicles to have to either wait for up to 10 minutes or make unsafe passes around these vehicles in order to access the rest of Clyde St. How there has never been no accident to date is beyond me.

Another 24/7 Macca in the area will just bring a new set of problems especially in Ferntree Gully Rd with hoon drivers.

T B, Ferntree Gully

Could you imagine the how this scenario could play out in Kathryn Road at the intersection with Ferntree Gully Road?

This application must be turned down by Knox City Planning Department. But unfortunately from past experience with development in Knoxfield, I don’t have much confidence in the Traffic Department to assess this problem and to present a solution.

Maintain your opposition and join the protest on the council steps when council considers this proposal. We will inform you of action to take when the application is advertised. Be prepared for action over the Christmas break, as it could very well be advertised then.

McDonald's Restaurant

McDonalds’ Restaurants have submitted an application to Knox City Council to build a restaurant at the corner of Ferntree Gully and Kathryn Roads, with traffic exiting into Kathryn Road. Knox Council Planning Department are in consultation with McDonalds at this stage. When plans are finalized they will be advertised with a notice on the corner site. It is then that we are able to submit objections about this development. So keep a watch to see when this notice is displayed as we only have 14 days from this time to submit an objection. Ten or more objections must be received by council to have a Planning and Consultation Meeting (PCC Meeting) at the council with the developer.

To date the “Save Knoxfield “ campaigners have been to VCAT on 6 occasions and to date have lost five cases, as can be seen by the destruction of trees and vegetation in Knoxfield. So even if council refuse this permit the likelihood  of VCAT passing it is obvious. What must be done is to get as many concessions out of McDonalds to help retain some of the beauty of Knoxfield. This may seem to giving in but it is realistic from our experiences.

We have had informal discussions with Knox Council and these were the main concerns presented to them. We can only hope they have addressed them with McDonalds to get some changes to their plans.

Ian Simpson

saveknoxfield@ozemail.com.au

 

 McDonald’s Knoxfield

 

Knox City Council must consider the McDonald’s planning application together with the one at 3/5 Kathryn Road, as together they both will have a major impact on safety for Knoxfield residents.

 

Concerns:

 

• Will create more traffic for Kathryn Road – admitted by Paul Vallay from McDonalds
• Will create traffic chaos at Kathryn and Ferntree Gully Roads intersection. Possibly four crossovers between FTG Rd corner and Knox Place bus stop in Kathryn Rd an extremely dangerous situation.
• A McDonalds store will have no competition locally, except for local takeaways – anti-competitive. Will result in lack of variety in takeaway services in Knoxfield.

Of the 21 shops, 7 are take-away food shops, that is 30% of the shops will lose trade. Anne Road shops will also be affected with 4 of the 7 shops offering takeaway foods.

• Environmental issues including smells, litter, noise and lighting. Removal of two indigenous Eucalyptus cephalocarpa trees.
• Will result in teenagers congregating in groups and moving through the estate noisily at night time – possibly more vandalism.

 

Concessions Requested from McDonalds:

 

·   No Exit into Kathryn Road

·   Left turn lane from FTG Road into Kathryn Road

·   Limit hours of operation

·   Plant and sound barriers

·   Diffuser for exhaust system to eradicate smells

·   Some road works to limit speed and density of traffic

·   Signs forbidding access to High Street Road

·   Policy on dealing with unruly and noisy behaviour especially at night.

·   Design to include retention of trees.

 

No 32 kathryn Road - VCAT Decision - VCAT Review

NO 32 Kathryn Road 

VCAT issued an Order  yesterday for the approval of the development of three double storey townhouses and one single storey townhouse on No 32 Kathryn Road Knoxfield.

There is no appeal unless we take it to the Supreme Court.

The main issues that are of concern with this decision are:

1.  The Order was issued for the wrong address (probably a typo, but how could they get it so wrong)

2.  No mention is made in the decision of residents’ concerns. Our efforts and the voices of 437 people with the petition have BLATANTLY been ignored in the process.

3.  Amendments were made to the plans, submitted before VCAT. Changed plans ought to have been resubmitted to council again for approval. VCAT is usurping the role of council and becoming a defacto planning organization.

4.  Agreements made with the developer in VCAT were not issued in the Order, therefore the developer can get away with issues they watered down in VCAT by saying they’d agree to building 2 metre high fences at their cost and retaining screening hedges to block out the units from neighbors vision.

There are some gains though that we did gain in the process. We now have a far better development than that initially submitted. We delayed the process by 16 months and in that process seemed to have dissuaded developers from approaching Knoxfield as a development area. There are now awaiting a decision on No 40 Kathryn Road. The hearing was 4 months ago. As the proverb says, ”No news is good news”.

Chairnan’s Review of VCAT

Yesterday four residents attended a meeting with Justice Bell, the Chairman of VCAT.

The meeting was an open forum for people from all over Victoria to express their concerns with the VCAT process and to initiate change. Justice Bell ensured everyone had a chance to express their opinions on issues and he followed up discussions on how the process could be improved.

The main issues we have from our experiences are:

1.      Procedure of Hearings. The applicant ought to address the hearing first, followed by council and then other submissions. The applicant could have a right of reply at the end of the hearing. This would bring the hearings into line with the legal system.

2.      The weight given to the evidence provided by “Expert Witnesses”. These witnesses are in the employ of the applicant and should be treated as such. At one hearing we attended, the applicant organized the expert witnesses over the lunch break to present new evidence to counter everything we said. Our evidence proved that of the expert witnesses to be false. This new evidence was accepted and the chair passed the application unchanged as she accepted the evidence of the expert witnesses over the local residents.

3.      The low weight applied to retaining indigenous vegetation, especially in areas protected by a Vegetation protection Overlay 3.

4.      The low weight applied to the planning regulations like the Rescodes, in favour of Melbourne’s 2030 Policy and the desired future outcomes.

 

Most of these issues were expressed by people from other areas of Victoria, from Port Campbell, Macedon, Kilmore, St Kilda, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Knox. The issues are the same and I genuinely think that Justice Bell was shocked with some things that were stated at the meeting.

·    Basically people do not have confidence in the VCAT Review system, which is not operating as a system of justice as originally planned. People have a perception that local authorities do not have confidence to present good decisions on planning, as developers see VCAT as the final decision maker, and budget for this in their costs.

·    Appeal Process: The only appeal process is to take the decision to the Supreme Court. Justice Bell is suggesting another level of appeal could be implemented for decisions made which are flawed. This process would be available for all involved in the process.

·    Mediation: Justice Bell suggested that VCAT could operate a system of mediation to try to usurp the need to take Planning Applications to VCAT. This would be done at the local level. We are fortunate in Knox that the council will conduct a Planning Consultative Committee Meeting if there are 10 or more objectors. Basically from experience though this permits residents to air their concerns but has only resulted in one developer submitting alternative plans and that was for No 32 Kathryn Road. The other developers took the applications directly to VCAT and see the council process as only a stepping stone to VCAT.

·    Appointment of Members: Justice Bell was clearly shocked when told that having a chairperson as a Town Planner just doesn’t work. The process is incestuous, with Town Planners for the developer presenting to a Town Planner who is the chair and having the council argument presented by another Town Planner. As we have discovered they are all acquaintances, mostly having worked together at a council planning department. At one hearing concern was raised with the council’s Consultant Town Planner that the chair was overly interrogating him on issues, and his comment to me was don’t worry about it as he was my past boss at a local council. Justice Bell did say that in the past 18 months that he has been chair he’s been immediately involved in the selection process. But it does seem that the Minister of Planning has direct control of that process.

·    Leagal Representation: VCAT  was set up to be the Peoples’ Forum where people could get mediation without legal representation. That has now generated into a legal forum and unless you have legal, professional representation with “Expert Witnesses” you don’t really get a hearing. When you are fighting developers that have millions in their bag to throw around what hope has the small citizen have in the process.

·    The acoustics of the Hearing Room were also discussed and how the developers and their representatives intimidate residents with bullying tactics. The rooms need to be setup to provide everyone with equal space and position to be heard by all.

Finally a quote from one person present at yesterdays forum:

“It seems to be Government policy that VCAT presents decisions for developers”.

 

Knox City Council’s Landscape Plan for Knoxfield

Over the weekend you would have received notification from the Knox City Council of a Landscape Plan for Knoxfield. (We have been fighting for this planning control to limit over-development in Knoxfield.) The results of this assessment will hopefully set planning limits for Knoxfield and will be set into State Govt Planning Agreements with KCC. It is important that you respond to the survey. The Tree Study is also part of this investigation.

Our emphasis in the past has been on

· At least 9 metre setbacks from the road for all dwellings,
· Retention of trees, especially the indigenous canopy trees which help to make the character of Knoxfield what it is,
· Only single storey developments to fit the main character of Knoxfield,
· Over looking issues imposed by double storey developments,
· Speeding traffic on feeder roads, especially Kathryn and Anne Roads,
· The intrusion on our Human Rights and mental well-being imposed by over-development
· The affect of over-development on Knoxfield’s wildlife, birds, possums, etc
· Strain on Infrastructure.

The Survey is also available at www.knox.vic.gov.au/Page/Forms.asp?Form_id=71

Please spread the word to your neighbors that this is important. The aim of the study is to develop a Planning Control to be submitted to the Planning Minister to retain Knoxfield’s character and subsequently limit over-development.

Please try to visit the Knoxfield shops on Saturday and tell the council officers what you want and do not want in Knoxfield.

The Save Knoxfield Website has been updated and a link to the Survey is available from it as well http://members.optusnet.com.au/~saveknoxfieldws/

Launch of the Save Knoxfield Website

I am pleased to announce that the Save Knoxfield Website is up and running.

From time to time it will be enhanced.