Village car parking, use of vacant land, issues around graffiti and general clean up, as well as revitalising the shopping centre, were all subjects under discussion at a public meeting held in June at FTG Uniting Church.

About 60 people attended, including the Mayor of Knox, Cr Susan Laukens, Dobson Ward Cr Meagan Baker and former mayor Cr Nicole Seymour. Also present was the State MP for Ferntree Gully Nick Wakeling, and prospective Liberal candidate for Monbulk Gareth Ward. (FTG Village will become part of the Monbulk electorate at the next State election.)

This lively meeting was competently chaired by former Knox Councillor and Mayor Karin Orpen OAM JP. It has provided an agenda for further action by the Village Traders and other local groups.

The official reply to a recent request for information about railway car parking can be summarised as follows:

The previous Federal Government announced $16 million in funding for a railway car park project in Ferntree Gully. Some funds (not $16 mil) were passed from the Federal Government to the State to undertake some investigative works on their behalf. The project still sits with the Federal Government.

On the change of Federal Government, a commitment has been made to review all projects. There has been no purchase of land by the State Government, just some investigation of potential sites in the area.

If the project is to go ahead, a consultation process with interested stakeholders including the Traders Association, would be undertaken. If a property or site that is subject to an investigation is privately owned, permission would be obtained from the property owner.

Anyone who has questions can make further enquiries through the ‘Car Parks for Commuters’ call centre or via email.