Nursery concerns

KNOX Environment Society (KES) remains concerned about the future of its community nursery despite a pledge of support from Knox City Council and the local MP.
KES president Darren Wallace said the society, which has had its nursery at Ferntree Gully Secondary College for over 20 years, was keen to get reassurance from the Department of Education and Training about its continued existence on the site after the anticipated closure of the school at the end of this academic year.
“We’re particularly concerned about the closure because what invariably happens when a school closes is they put a chain around it to protect it. There’s always a risk we’ll be effectively closed out,” he said.
“We’re looking for some positive responses that will give us some reassurance in the short term. We’re desperate to get some positive dialogue with the department about our future,” he said.
Mr Wallace’s comments came during a week when the council voted to write to Education Minister Lynne Kosky seeking permanent tenure for KES on the school premises prior to any future decision regarding a change of use for the school site.
Knox Environment Advisory Committee chairperson and Tirhatuan Ward councillor Mick Van de Vreede said the society contributed enormously to protecting and improving Knox’s natural environment through community education and involvement in environmental projects.
“Council is committed to ensuring (its) presence and role in the Knox community continues, and sees the nursery as a significant aspect of the society,” he said.
Since establishing its nursery at its current home, Cr Van de Vreede said KES had grown approximately 150,000 plants for Knox and propagated and replanted 25 threatened or endangered species in the municipality.
It has also been actively involved with local schools, communities and environmental projects, giving away over 30,000 free plants.
Mr Wallace said KES was delighted by the support it was getting from Knox City Council.
“The sort of support pledged by the council is just the sort of thing we need,” he said.
Mr Wallace said Ferntree Gully MP Anne Eckstein had also given a commitment to work with KES to try to secure its permanent presence at the location.
Ms Eckstein described concern about the issue as premature since the school was still open and any decision on the future of the school site was a long way off.
“I don’t thing we’re looking at anything happening on that site until the end of next year at the earliest.
“But I’m committed to working with (KES) and working through the process to get the best outcome for the society,” she said.