Property consultant Hellier McFarland-Cityplan has applied to Knox Council to divide the 30-hectare cattle field in Glenfern Road into seven blocks.

In June, the Journal reported neighbours feared the property might be the site of a high-density development.

Since then, opponents of the development have lobbied local MPs, launched a Facebook site and distributed a petition throughout Knox and the Yarra Ranges.

Resident David Mutch is hoping the owners drop their development plans. He wants the state and federal governments, in partnership with Melbourne Water, to buy the land to preserve its green wedge status.

"This way the owners save on developer's costs and get fully compensated for the property. The public gains a valuable and important public space for all to enjoy."

Mr Mutch said it was vital to preserve the green wedge land to provide a buffer between urban areas and rural, bushland and native habitats.

"Green wedges provide for an ever-dwindling environment for important and threatened native flora and fauna."

Mr Mutch said state Labor and Liberal politicians had been "interested but non-committal" about the proposal, but they had received support from the Greens.

"We believe the matter has enough importance to Knox and to Victoria to prevent a permit being issued.

"If that is not the case then we will pursue it through whatever processes are available to us. We would expect full local and state government support."

The matter is not likely to go before Knox Council until the end of the year.

City development director Angelo Kourambas said the applicant had requested an extension to provide the required Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment, which had taken longer than expected.

He said the council had informed the applicant the assessment must be provided by 25 October 2010.

"Once the council has received the additional information required for this planning application, the council will notify the public.

"This notification will take place prior to the council making any decision on the proposed subdivision."

Hellier McFarland-Cityplan declined to comment.