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This is the engagement page for the Heart of Knox Project.

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Latest news

About the project

We are planning for the future transformation of Council land between Burwood Highway and Lewis Park, next to Westfield Knox. A place for the community to live, work and play.

The area will feature green spaces for recreation and relaxation and a mix of housing and employment opportunities, integrating with the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Council owns approximately 9 hectares of land between Burwood Highway and Blind Creek, next to Westfield Knox. It is an important precinct because of its location and size. Council intends to see this land developed, primarily for higher density housing, to help create a ‘new heart of Knox’.

The future residential population is expected to be between 3000 and 5000 people. Council will plan for services to support the future population and is focused on ensuring development is sustainable, high quality and resilient to the effects of climate change. The Council will also consider how social and affordable housing might be delivered as part of the development.

Planning a new heart of Knox

This project is part of the Knox Central Structure Plan (Amendment C149). This structure plan was introduced into the Planning Scheme in 2018 following community engagement in 2016. Its purpose is to manage, influence and facilitate change in the Activity Centre.

To support future development of Council’s land at this site, the Council has made key decisions and investment over the past decade. This includes:

  • Purchase of key parcels of land from Westfield.
  • The relocation of the Knox City Council Operations Centre to Henderson Road, Knoxfield.
  • Relocation of the State Emergency Services (SES) to State Government land.
  • Investing $4.45M in the new Knox Library and Youth Hive in Westfield Knox.
  • Working in partnership with Melbourne Water to develop the wetland in Lewis Park and reinstate/daylight Blind Creek. Council is investing $3.5M, Melbourne Water is contributing $11.1M and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA, formerly DELWP) is contributing $2.5M. The project is improving water quality and delivering a natural creek corridor with high amenity and environmental outcomes.
  • Council adoption of the Lewis Park Masterplan sets the framework for future investment into sporting, recreation and open space assets to help service the future residential population.

Council has developed a Draft Land Use Plan to guide the development. This Plan proposes four sub-precincts across the site and sets out the preferred character of the different sub-precincts. The preferred building heights for this site are already in the Knox Planning Scheme

The draft Land Use Plan has design guidelines and open space design guidelines. It shows the areas where we think public open space can occur and where existing environmental features such as trees will be protected.

A civic sub-precinct is proposed in the middle of the site. The development of the civic area will not occur for at least 10 years, but Council will start to plan for it as part of its planning for the overall precinct.

There will be several stages to the project and we expect development of the entire site to occur over 20 years. We are currently at the early planning stage and have yet to confirm exactly how the development will proceed. We are engaging early in the project when the development is at concept stage and there will be opportunities for the community to have input along the journey.

Proposed Open Space Network

Proposed Uses and Built Form

Share your 'Bright Ideas' to help shape the transformation of the precinct

We are interested to hear your 'Bright Ideas' on what you would like Council to consider as part of the development of the site.

7 June, 2024

Rae says:

Creating a traffic nightmare with over population of a small area. Turning Knox into another high rise nightmare

7 June, 2024

Jocelyn says:

I am not in support of such high density living in small areas in the suburban landscapes such as ours.

7 June, 2024

BJ says:

High density (3000-5000 residents) will bring complex social issues to already high crime in Wantirna/Knox. Think before planning!

7 June, 2024

Andrea says:

More affordable homes for single women and single parents. More lights in dark areas. New Scout halls or upgrade to existing ones

7 June, 2024

Knox Original says:

Along creek have a set up like the arboretum but add a boardwalk and cafe. Also another single level retirement village like Selford Park.

6 June, 2024

Sgerk says:

Go big! Go tall and go bold, high density living next to a major shopping strip would be amazing, reinvigorate the area. Dog park a must!

6 June, 2024

AQ says:

A full sized theatre. Knox has no full scale theatre for local community groups and dance school to use.

5 June, 2024

Marilyn H says:

2 parking spaces per home. Good size balconies for BBQs. Community gardens. Sound proof homes. Extra street parking. No OS investors.

5 June, 2024

Sam says:

A theatre and community space similar to Whitehorse's 'The Round'. The only theatre in the area is tiny - much too small for our Knox school

5 June, 2024

GoKnox says:

This is a great place for high density living. Must be paired with advocacy for better public transport to reduce car dependence.

4 June, 2024

Raymond says:

Don't cut down any trees!! Consider the environment, especially the proximity to the creek. Greater green boundary for creek.

4 June, 2024

No developments says:

No development at all. Plant trees & create a proper green space not the token “backyards” in your plan.

4 June, 2024

DA says:

Consider traffic volume at peak times. Outdoor paths well lit for safety of runners. Too high density.

4 June, 2024

Sara says:

So much new housing, lots of cars, consider traffic flow in and out to ensure local roads are not clogged, public transport improved

3 June, 2024

WH says:

High level of eco friendliness. Good public transport links to Knox- might be close but mobility, aging population, reduce reliability cars

3 June, 2024

WH says:

Public housing to some degree. Not just a token.

3 June, 2024

Wendy says:

As much green space as possible. Especially surrounding any housing - so many concrete front yards now!

3 June, 2024

Cam says:

Entertainment precinct. Performance theatre - Art gallery - Live music venue.

3 June, 2024

Concerned says:

No increase in council charges to accommodate extra pressure on council facilities eg waste.

3 June, 2024

Concerned says:

Proper access for emergency vehicles and rubbish trucks.

2 June, 2024

Rob says:

Car-free precinct like Paris urban design. Neo-trad buildings & tree-lined boulevards. Bike tracks. High frequency shuttle bus to Westfield

2 June, 2024

Joanne Bartlett says:

Nice to have parks for all to use. But what about the road side grass stripes of overgrown bushes and long grass. Focus on this first!!!!!

31 May, 2024

PGupta says:

Build educational experience hub for young people. Eg: Like scienceworks or art/ culture space for students of so many schools in the area.

31 May, 2024

Pranee says:

An affordable housing for people who must live here, must not for an investor. Solar and water tank for all. Extend tram line to Knox city

31 May, 2024

Dianne says:

Knox has plans for 4 more "not-so-mini suburbs". Do we need more? Have open space and bushland instead. Better for all on the planet.

31 May, 2024

Vishal says:

Connectivity is a big issue in Knox. The tram line 75 currently finishes till Vermont South. It would be very helpful if it comes till Knox

31 May, 2024

MCostello says:

Don’t waste space on open carpark (excl. handicapped or elderly). Incorporate any public parking into all buildings. Preference walk/cycle

30 May, 2024

PS says:

A underground extension from Glen Waverley rail line that connects Knox City to rest of the Melbourne's rail network.

30 May, 2024

Emmy says:

A wetlands and planting of native trees. We are losing too much greenery in Knox and, consequently, our wildlife will sadly disappear.

30 May, 2024

Emily says:

A wetlands and planting of native trees. We are losing too much greenery in Knox and, consequently, our wildlife will sadly disappear.

29 May, 2024

Steve says:

We need a aquatic centre that rivals Aquanation. Green space with water play facilities like those in the Yarra Valley would be great also.

29 May, 2024

AK says:

Expand planning works to include redevelopment of Lewis Park reserve. This will add connectivity and open space access to the development

29 May, 2024

TEO says:

who will pay for this Lewis redevelopment? RATE PAYERS ONCE AGAIN AS THE OFFENSIVE VICTORIAN BASKETBALL COMPEX AT GEORGE ST? NO WAY

29 May, 2024

Shirl says:

Limit number of people well below 5k or did we not learn anything from covid lockdowns. Outside gym for adults and accessibility. Water.

28 May, 2024

JB says:

A caravan park to replace the one in Wantirna that the Council let be sold, Social Housing.

28 May, 2024

Cam says:

copy CERES in East Brunswick - community garden and farm - just add a live music entertainment area

Engagement Level

For this project we will be engaging our community at the level of Consult on the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum.
This means we will keep you informed, listen to and acknowledge concerns and aspirations, and provide feedback on how public input influenced the decision.

Contact us

Find out more about this engagement

Name City Projects - Knox Central
Phone 03 9298 8000
Email knox.central@knox.vic.gov.au