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Knox Green Areas and Rural Strategy (GARS)

Knox City Council has developed the Green Areas and Rural Strategy (GARS) to cover areas that are of environmental, recreational, agricultural, rural living and landscape significance to the community.

About GARS

Council adopted the Green Areas and Rural Strategy (GARS) on 18 December 2023.

The strategy:

  • gathered evidence and developed a better understanding of the values and priorities within these areas
  • provides future objectives and strategic directions
  • identifies opportunities to enhance environmental and social values
  • identifies compatible land use potential including:
    • public open space and recreation
    • rural living
    • agriculture
    • tourism
    • other compatible rural uses
  • serves as a management plan for green wedge land in the Knox municipality.

Download the Knox Green Areas and Rural Strategy [PDF, 12.5mb]

Study areas

The area has been divided into 5 precincts based on:

  • location
  • landscape characteristics
  • existing planning controls.

They include:

  • Precinct 1: The Basin Rural Landscape Precinct
  • Precinct 2a: Lysterfield Valley and Hills
  • Precinct 2b: Lysterfield Quarries and Surrounds
  • Precinct 3 and 3a*: Dandenong Creek Valley Precinct
  • Precinct 4: Healesville Freeway Reservation and Surrounds.

* Precinct 3a is an extension of Precinct 3 where objectives and strategies for Precinct 3 extend to this area.

Project stages

The project was completed 5 stages:

  1. Setting the scene
  2. Issues and opportunities analysis
  3. Visioning (March to April 2020)
  4. Strategy development (consultation in 2021 and adoption in 2023)
  5. Implementation and monitoring.

More information about GARS

See the following documents:

  • Stage 1: Setting the Scene Report – a background report and analysis of the existing conditions in each of the five precincts.
  • Stage 2: Draft Issues and Opportunities Report – a technical background report, analysis and recommendations for the overall direction of the Project. The report was informed by expert advice from the fields of:
    • biodiversity
    • agriculture
    • landscape
    • economy
    • heritage
  • Stage 3: Community Consultation Report – a summary of preliminary consultation findings reported to Council in August 2020.
  • Stage 4: Public consultation on the draft strategy - occurred between 8 November and 23 December 2023.

Need help?

Lodge a request with Strategic Planning and we will get back to you.

Or call our City Futures team on 9298 8000.

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