Knoxfield, Victoria
Suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Knoxfield is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 27 km east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Knox local government area. Knoxfield recorded a population of 7,645 at the 2021 census.[2]
Knoxfield | |||||||||||||
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Ferny Creek Trail, Knoxfield | |||||||||||||
  Knoxfield | |||||||||||||
 Interactive map of Knoxfield | |||||||||||||
| Coordinates: 37.891°S 145.248°E | |||||||||||||
| Country | Australia | ||||||||||||
| State | Victoria | ||||||||||||
| City | Melbourne | ||||||||||||
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| Government | |||||||||||||
| • State electorates | |||||||||||||
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| Area | |||||||||||||
• Total | 5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Population | |||||||||||||
| • Total | 7,645 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||
| • Density | 1,341/km2 (3,474/sq mi) | ||||||||||||
| Postcode | 3180 | ||||||||||||
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History
In 1957, it was announced that a private developer intended to establish a new township between Ferntree Gully and Scoresby. Plans included about 300 homes and a shopping centre (today known as the Knoxfield Shops). Local councillors chose the name Knoxfield for the area in appreciation of Sir George Hodges Knox, former local and state parliamentarian who held the seat of Scoresby between 1945 and 1960.[3] The scheme began in 1954, when local resident and textile industry executive John Barnes purchased a 33-hectare dairy farm.[4]
Rival developer Laird Smith Estates launched a smaller, low-density estate incorporating Kathryn Road, which technically became the first estate in Knoxfield.[5]
The Knoxfield Post Office opened on 31 July 1961 as the area developed. The 1960s saw rapid growth of the area, with development beginning on large-scale developments such as the Carrington Park estate (in O'Conner Road) and an estate by LJ Hooker (in Rosehill Street). Urban sprawl had covered most of the suburb by the early 1980s.[6]
Demographics
In the 2016 Census, there were 7,465 people in Knoxfield. 64.1% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were China 5.3%, England 3.6%, India 2.5%, Malaysia 2.5% and Sri Lanka 2.4%. 69.5% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 7.2%, Cantonese 3.7% and Sinhalese 1.9%. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 33.4%, Catholic 18.5% and Anglican 8.8%.[2]
Education
Schools in Knoxfield include Fairhills High School, Knox Park Primary School and Carrington Primary School (formerly Knoxfield Primary School). Knoxfield Primary School merged with Scoresby Heights Primary School in 1994 to create Carrington Primary School.
Shopping
Knoxfield is home to two shopping strips. A medium shopping strip known as the Knoxfield Shops on Ferntree Gully road, and the Anne Road shops on Anne Road.
Sport
The suburb is well known for the Knox Athletics Track and the Gilbert Reserve. Gilbert Reserve is quite large, and regularly holds softball and baseball matches. Knoxfield also has a large BMX track, which is often used for BMX competitions and the R.D. Egan-Lee Reserve which is regularly used by walkers and hosts a soccer club. The track is also open for use by the public. Next to Gilbert Reserve is a local skatepark which was accessible from early 2008.[citation needed]
Also in Knoxfield, there is the Carrington Park Leisure Centre, which is mainly used for gymnastics and fitness. It has also hosted state and national competitions. A family play centre called Big Slide is located in Knoxfield.[7] The Eastern Sports Centre also calls Knoxfield home[8] and hosts futsal, indoor soccer, netball, and cricket.
Golfers play at the course of the Waterford Valley Golf Course on Bunjil Way.[9]
The Knoxfield Knights Cricket Club is based at Carrington Park.[10]
The Knox Athletics Track hosts a variety of sport and events including Little Athletics[11] and the Knox Athletics Club[12]
Gilbert Reserve is home to the Knox & District Softball Association and its related teams[13] as well as The Knox Falcons Baseball Club[14]
Next to Gilbert Park is the Knox Skate and BMX Park[15] which is regularly used by skateboarders, bikers, and scooter riders.
Knoxfield also boasts a large BMX track, which is often used for BMX competitions. The track is also open for use by the public and is regularly attending by BMX and biking enthusiasts of all ages.[16]
The R.D. Egan-Lee Reserve is also in Knoxfield and is home to the Knox City Soccer Club Ltd[17]
Leisure Centre
The Carrington Park Leisure Centre is mainly used for gymnastics and fitness. It has hosted various state and national competitions. It is also the home of the Omega Trampoline Club, Ferntree Gully Basketball Club, Knox Table Tennis Club and Chinese Elderly Citizens Club. It also has facilities such as meeting rooms, a kitchen, disabled access, toilet and car parking, change rooms, trampoline facilities, squash courts and boxing facilities.[18]
Knoxfield is a home for two Scouts groups: 1st Knoxfield group located in Carrington Reserve, and 2nd Knoxfield group located in R.D. Egan-Lee Reserve
