Advocacy

About the issue

We know that many Knox residents are concerned about community safety. They are feeling more uneasy about crime in the municipality, especially in Boronia, Rowville and Ferntree Gully.

What we are asking for

More police funding

We are asking for more ongoing funding so that Victoria Police can:

• be more visible, especially in hotspot areas and shopping centres
• extend police station operating hours. Rowville and Boronia stations have recently had their hours reduced during the day and are closed overnight.

Strengthen community policing

Community policing helps police and the community work together. It builds trust and focuses on preventing crime, not just responding to it.

We are asking for more support to strengthen the Proactive Policing Unit in Knox to keep working on reducing common crimes like shop theft and theft from cars.

Find out more

To learn more about these advocacy projects, you can contact our Director Connected Communities, Judy Chalkley.

Phone: 9298 8298

Download Crime and safety fact sheet

Public library funding

About the issue

We know that public libraries play an important role in our community. They help children get ready for school, support learning, reduce loneliness and help people stay connected in a digital world.

However, funding has not kept up with demand or population growth since 2020. This has been putting pressure on services and means local councils are having to cover more of the cost. This is not sustainable long term. 

What we are asking for

We are asking for increased and ongoing funding from the Victorian Government to meet growing demand on public libraries. This should include reviewing and updating the current funding plan so it keeps up with population growth and inflation.

Knox Historical Society funding

About the issue

We know the Knox Historical Society (KHS) plays an important role in documenting and preserving our local history.

The KHS has used Ambleside Park Homestead in Ferntree Gully since 1977. However, the current temporary facilities are not suitable. There are concerns about accessibility, compliance and not enough climate-controlled storage for the collection.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian Government for $3 million for a new resource centre. This would allow the KHS to move storage, administration, cataloguing and research activities out of the homestead. It would also mean the historic building could be used for exhibitions and museum programs.

Without this, the homestead will continue to be used for operational work, which limits public access and makes it harder to properly care for and research the collection.

Find out more

To learn more about these advocacy projects, you can contact our Director Connected Communities, Judy Chalkley.

Phone: 9298 8298

Download Community services fact sheet

Bus network improvements

About the issue

Many people in Knox rely on buses to get to work, education, healthcare and essential services. However, current bus services do not always provide the reliable and frequent connections the community needs.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian Government to fund 8 practical improvements to Knox’s bus network. This includes new services, route upgrades and safety improvements to create a more connected and reliable public transport system.

Trackless Rapid Transit (Caulfield to Rowville)

About the issue

The Caulfield to Rowville Trackless Rapid Transit Project would give people in Melbourne’s south-east a faster and more reliable public transport option. The Australian Government funded a business case in 2022, but there has been no update on its progress.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning to finish the business case and release it to the public as soon as possible.

Wellington Road upgrade

About the issue

Wellington Road is a major east-west route that connects Knox with surrounding areas. A business case to duplicate the road was completed in 2022. Upgrading the road would improve safety, reduce congestion and better support Melbourne’s growing south-east.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian and Australian governments to fund the full duplication of Wellington Road so the project can move ahead.

Dorset Road extension / Napoleon Road upgrade

About the issue

Dorset Road is a major north-south route, but it ends at Burwood Highway. This leaves growing communities to rely on disconnected local roads. A business case found that extending Dorset Road would improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and better connect Melbourne’s outer east.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian and Australian governments to fund and deliver the Dorset Road extension without further delay.

Tram Route 75 extension

About the issue

The Route 75 tram currently ends at Vermont South, leaving people travelling to Knox to rely on buses. Extending the tram to Knox would provide a more direct, reliable public transport connection to major shopping, education, employment and community destinations, while supporting future population growth.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian Government to fund and deliver the extension of the Route 75 tram to Knox.

Find out more

You can contact our Director Infrastructure to learn more about these advocacy projects.

Grant Thorne

Phone: 9298 8100

Download Roads and transport fact sheet

Access to housing

About the issue

Too many people are struggling to find safe, secure and affordable housing. More investment is needed in housing support, public housing and assistance for people on low incomes to help prevent housing stress and homelessness.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian and Australian governments to increase investment in the 'Housing First' program, expand public housing and improve support for low-income renters.

Food security

About the issue

Food relief organisations in Knox provide essential support to people experiencing financial hardship. This includes food parcels, fresh produce and prepared meals. Growing demand is putting pressure on these services, which need ongoing funding to continue supporting the community.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian Government to provide increased and sustained funding for local food relief organisations so they can continue meeting the needs of people facing cost-of-living pressures.

Planning reforms

About the issue

Victoria’s planning reforms are changing how development decisions are made, with local councils having a reduced role in many major planning decisions. While Knox supports housing growth, more homes alone will not solve the housing crisis, which is also affected by construction costs, supply issues and economic pressures.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian Government to make sure councils have a meaningful role in planning decisions and provide the support and resources needed to manage growth while protecting neighbourhood character.

Find out more

To learn more about these advocacy projects, you can contact our Director Connected Communities, Judy Chalkley.

Phone: 9298 8298

You can also contact our Director City Liveability, Jonathan McNally.

Phone: 9298 8102

Download Housing affordability and food security fact sheet

Lewis Park

About the issue

Lewis Park is at the centre of Knox Central and has the potential to become a vibrant community space for a growing population. Plans include a new playground, skate park, improved facilities, landscaping and a much-needed pavilion upgrade, but the project has been delayed due to rising costs.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian and Australian governments to partner with us to fund the renewal of Lewis Park and deliver a community space that meets the needs of current and future residents.

Clubrooms, lighting and ground upgrades

About the issue

Knox’s sporting facilities are struggling to meet the needs of a growing and active community. Many grounds and facilities need upgrades to improve safety, accessibility and usability. This includes better lighting, drainage, irrigation and clubroom facilities.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian and Australian governments to partner with us to fund priority upgrades across Knox. This will make sure local sporting facilities are safe, inclusive and ready for the future.

• Clubrooms (green dots): Lewis Park Pavilion, Wantirna Reserve, Milpera Reserve
• Sports field lighting (blue dots): Eildon Park, Miller Park, Dobson Park
• Ground upgrades (orange dots): Carrington Park, Kings Park (Oval 1), Knox Gardens Reserve (Oval 1), Fairpark Reserve (Oval 1)

Image

Find out more

To learn more about these advocacy projects, you can contact our Director Connected Communities, Judy Chalkley.

Phone: 9298 8298

You can also contact our Director Infrastructure, Grant Thorne.

Phone: 9298 8100

Download Sports infrastructure fact sheet

About the issue

Windfall Gains Tax is a Victorian Government tax introduced on 1 July 2023. It applies when land is rezoned and increases in value. The aim is to share some of this extra land value with the community. However, the money goes into general Victorian Government revenue, not directly into local infrastructure.

What we are asking for

We are asking the Victorian Government to stop charging councils Windfall Gains Tax when they rezone council-owned land in a Public Use Zone or Public Park and Recreation Zone back to its original zoning as part of responsible land management.

This is because councils rezone land to improve community outcomes, not to make private profit. Council land is a public asset and any value created through rezoning is returned to the community through services and infrastructure.

Find out more

You can contact the Advocacy Lead at Banyule City Council to learn more about this advocacy project.

Email: [email protected]

Download Windfall Gains Tax fact sheet

About the issue

Knox is one of 36 councils advocating for the Victorian Government to delay the mandatory rollout of a fourth bin for glass recycling.

Introducing a separate glass recycling bin in Knox would cost about $1.43 million each year to operate, or around $27 per household. 

We know that most Knox households recycle less than 10 glass items each week. We also know that Knox residents are already recycling glass through the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS), with more than 2.3 million containers returned each month using over the counter and reverse vending machine locations.

What we are asking for

We are calling on the Victorian Government to expand the CDS to include wine and spirit bottles. Expanding the scheme would increase glass recycling without adding another household bin or the ongoing cost of a separate collection service.

Find out more

Find out more in our news article, Let’s be clear on glass recycling. 

You can also read a letter from the Mayor to the Minister for Local Government (PDF). 

Knox City Council is a member of the Alliance for Gambling Reform. This is a national advocacy group that works alongside 60 councils to prevent and minimise harm from gambling.

Together with the Alliance, we advocate to the Victorian and Australian Government for gambling reforms.

About the issue

We know that reducing gambling harm will provide many benefits to our local community. This includes improved health and wellbeing outcomes for gamblers and their families. We also know that sporting organisations’ reliance on gambling revenue has normalised gambling as a part of sport.

What we are asking for

We are asking for:

• a permanent reduction to gambling room operating hours, which would close all gambling rooms between midnight and 10 am
• a reduced maximum bet on Electronic Gaming Machines to $1 per spin
• reforms to the Community Benefit Scheme, including a more transparent reporting process and the removal of sponsorships and operating costs as eligible community benefit claims
• greater transparency of the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund at a local government level
• ongoing support with advocacy campaigns through our membership with the Alliance for Gambling Reform.

Other advocacy work

We also advocate for gambling harm prevention across Knox through our partnerships with community groups, clubs, services and other organisations.

We will work with peak bodies to advocate for a reduced connection between gambling and sporting organisations, such as the AFL and NFL.

We want to decrease reliance on gambling revenue streams and minimise the normalisation of gambling within sport.

We are advocating to ban:

• sports betting advertising, particularly during live viewing of sport
• incentives to gamble
• targeted online gambling to young people.

Find out more

You can learn more on our Gambling Harm Prevention Policy web page.