Former Box Hill brickworks -- update

Co-convenors Vincent Mennilli JP and Greg Buchanan

It is a huge disappointment to the community that the government has rezoned the Box Hill Brickworks site for high-rise housing, the last green expanse in central Box Hill - with 95% of the site slated for development and 5% public open space.

The health, environmental and social benefits of green open space are well known. In densified Box Hill the need for such space will be acute especially as the majority of residents are likely to live in apartment style housing with minimal private open space. The government’s own forecast is that Box Hill’s population will double over the next 15 years.

The Brickworks site has a long history of brick making and as a local landfill from 1988-

1999. Since then the site has sat dormant surrounded by high security fencing.

Intensive development of the site confronts serious ground contamination issues and

site instability with high costs to remediate. Ongoing uncertainty for the structural

integrity of buildings and services is also likely to plague future residents.

The environmental risks are great – with mass excavation of the site and the drilling of

multiple piles to reach solid ground at the base of the 40-metre deep former quarry.

In contrast the opportunity for a wonderful park in Box Hill is tantalising while avoiding

huge site disturbance and penetration of the clay cap that keeps the site safe for

everyone.

Melbourne has a wonderful and perhaps unheralded record in turning former quarry/tip

sites into amazing parkland. Examples include All Nations Park in Northcote, Darebin

Parklands in Alphington, Fritsch Holzer Reserve in Hawthorn and Newport Lakes,

Newport among many others. It is these examples that offer a model and an exciting opportunity for Box Hill.

Our Association is undaunted by the government’s decision and will continue to strongly

advocate for passive open space at the site. We firmly believe it is key to Box Hill’s

future.

Whitehorse Council sees this too having unanimously decided to seek public

ownership of the site for use as public open space. This is the liveability needed for future generations and we are the generation that must lock it in.

We are gratified by the widespread support and invite everyone to attend a public rally

we are holding on Sunday 23rd August at 1.30pm - next to the brickworks site (near the

model boat club and Surrey Dive lake).