Knox residents are speaking up about what matters most ahead of the Aston by-election, highlighting fixing the roads, public transport and affordable housing among the most critical local issues.
On 1 April there will be a by-election in the federal seat of Aston, which covers Knox.
Council has been inviting people to Have Your Say to share what's important to them and the critical issues facing our community.
Knox Mayor, Councillor Marcia Timmers-Leitch said Council was meeting with candidates during the election campaign to raise residents' issues and fight for what matters most to our community.
"It takes different levels of government working together to achieve the best results for the community that we all represent," she said.
"I hope the Aston by-election puts a spotlight on the critical issues for Knox residents and communities in Melbourne's outer east."
Comments submitted to Council so far include:
- 'Disappointed that Napoleon and Dorset Road extensions have been axed. Disappointed that support for heavy rail to Rowville has been axed.'
- 'With the recent and ongoing upgrades to Knox City Shopping Centre, now is the time to extend that long overdue tram line down to here from its current termination point of Vermont South.'
- 'It would be terrific if federal government bought the Boronia Mall and turned it into a cultural hub with a public gallery and artist studios.'
- 'Addressing affordable housing and healthcare in Knox is particularly important with the increasing need for affordable housing in the current economic conditions (there are a lot of struggling families and elderly lone people in Knox) and supporting the provision of the new public hospital in Knox to ease the health system as well as providing public services closer to home for a lot of the community.'
- 'The condition of Wellington and Napoleon Roads are shocking. I'd like to see a high level of priority on these two roads as a matter of urgency.'
- 'Transportation policy underpins so many of the other key issues: climate (emissions) cost of living (fuel, capital costs), access to health and education, older Australians (who can't drive any more) and urban planning.
- 'It's unfortunate that a few of our candidates don't even live in our area; I don't believe that'll allow us to have a good representation as they don't know the problems in the area. However, it'd be amazing if we could improve our transport services, see new affordable or public housing and adding small things like gardens into our towns and areas for the locals to sit.'
The seat of Aston includes the suburbs of Bayswater, Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Rowville, Scoresby, The Basin, Wantirna, Wantirna South, and parts of Lysterfield, Sassafras and Upper Ferntree Gully.
People are being invited to share their thoughts until 31 March. Read more comments and contribute at Have Your Say.
