Enhancing environmental outcomes at Knoxfield

Development Victoria is in the planning stages of building a new community in Knoxfield, which will deliver more sustainable housing, open spaces and recreational facilities in Melbourne’s outer-east.

Central to the development will be an improved wetland area with enhanced habitat for the Blue-billed Duck. The new wetland will result in a better overall environmental outcome and improve the health of local waterways, including Blind Creek. It will also improve the breeding habitat for local species.

“After receiving reports of Blue-billed Duck breeding, our ecologist has visited the site to confirm the sighting of a Blue-billed Duckling on the site,” Group Head, Property Development, Penny Forrest said.

“We will continue to attend the site to monitor the behaviour of the duckling and ensure there are no works being undertaken onsite which could impact any potential duck breeding.”

Development Victoria’s ecologist, Ecocentric Environmental Consulting, has been undertaking regular assessments on the site since 2014 and formal monitoring of flora and fauna since 2017 - including assessing any breeding activity of the Blue-billed Duck.

In recent months, the ecologist has sighted a small number of Blue-billed Ducks displaying potential pairing behaviour, however this is the first time successful breeding activity has been observed since Development Victoria took ownership the site.

More information about the Knoxfield site can be found at development.vic.gov.au/knoxfield 

The project team can be contacted via 1800 659 116 or knoxfield@development.vic.gov.au