Karin Orpen
David Mutch
Gabrielle Verstraete
Karin Orpen
Gabrielle Verstraete
DEVELOPMENT across Knox is proving to be a key issue in next week's council elections.
Over recent months building issues — particularly in Ferntree Gully and Boronia — have led to fiery debates between councillors, and angry outbursts from residents.
Key areas include overdevelopment in Boronia after the implementation of the Boronia Structure Plan, potential height controls in Ferntree Gully Village and development in a green wedge zone in Upper Ferntree Gully.
A face of each of those campaigns is hopeful of gaining a seat on Knox Council.
Anthony Searle, a member of the Appropriate Development for Boronia Group, has been an outspoken critic of the rise of apartments in the suburb and will contest Baird Ward; former mayor Karin Orpen will contest Dobson Ward after recently joining the fight for height limits in Ferntree Gully Village following a proposal for a four-storey development in Station Street that would block views of the Dandenongs.
Also running for Dobson is David Mutch who has been a vocal opponent of the subdivision of the Glenfern Road green wedge land and was part of a group that founded the Save the Glenfern Green Wedge/Cattle Run Facebook page.
Many candidates have acknowledged that while more housing is required in Knox, the council needed to think of more creative and unique ways to make it happen.
"The reality is that people need homes. However, more creativity needs to be used in regard to where and what we build," Dobson Ward candidate Gabrielle Verstraete said.
Scott Ward candidate Peter Cole said public information and feedback needed to be taken on board from the beginning.
Fellow Baird candidate Garrie James agreed, saying working with the developers would ensure the best outcome for not just current residents, but future residents.