From the editor: We raised the topic of rejuvenating Ferntree Gully village in the February 2024 issue of this paper. This generated some debate on the Friends of Ferntree Gully News Facebook page, and prompted readers to send ideas to our production team. What follows is the point of view of local high school student Matthew Payne, one of our most avid readers.
There has been lots of discussion around the future of Ferntree Gully Village recently. From the wonderful new monthly village market, which I hope can run beyond October, to the fact that we now have the first level crossing coming from the city. I would like to give you my take on the future of the village, as a member of the next generation.
My biggest hope in the future for our village is that a number of transportation issues (that are relatively small to fix) are fixed. With a new station, hopefully more trains will be able to run. A turnback platform would add extra capacity to the network, allowing for more trains, more often, particularly during peak hour. I would like to see the station become a bustling centre of the community. However the level crossing is removed – if it ever is, as it hasn’t been announced – I hope that connectivity within the village will improve.
Hopefully we will no longer have to rely on just three pedestrian crossings between Station Street and Forest Road. I also hope that we can get a direct bus route home from Knox City. Whether this is the 732 making the extra mile into the village, or a completely new bus route. Whatever the outcome, I hope the frequency of buses – all buses – can improve.
In Ferntree Gully, we are blessed with our trees. They are in our name. As a community we value them, perhaps more than any other suburb in Melbourne. I hope they are something that can remain. I also hope that more native wildlife can return to our suburbia. We might be lucky enough to get another koala.
Therefore, it may come as a surprise then that I call for higher density in and around the village. However, I think it should be done in an appropriate way. Buildings should be no higher than the treeline, meaning they won’t be noticed – at least not from a distance. This way we can accommodate more people (and encourage builders to not cut trees down during construction), without dramatically changing the character of the village. As a village, we are currently very good at keeping buildings below the treeline. Maybe a bit too good.
I also really like the idea that was floated a few months ago by Martin Whiteley to create a village Piazza. Whether this is at 101 Station Street, or a revamped train station, we need a central point where we can connect. A safe place full of seating and tables, where people can study and/or socialise. Perhaps a space like the new Knox Library, without the books. Although I am all for as many libraries as we can get!
We have lots of vacant land and shops, which possess many opportunities for our village to grow and morph. Hopefully we can get a children’s playground in the Village like The Basin has. This could be done on the strip of land between Underwood Road and Dorothy Grove, or perhaps in Wyuna Reserve. We might again be able to have a Halcyon style service in our village.
The future of our village is in our hands, so it is our job to meld our ideas together and create a place where everyone wants to be. The more creatively and ambitiously we dream, the better our village can become.
Matthew Payne
