Scope Knox
| Scope Knox | |
|---|---|
 | |
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| Former names | Knox Spastic Centre (1980–2001) |
| General information | |
| Status | Decommissioned |
| Address | 750-750A Boronia Road |
| Town or city | Wantirna VIC |
| Country | Australia |
| Opened | 24 April 1980 |
| Owner | Scope (1979–2016) |
| Grounds | 20,938 m² |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Unknown |
Scope Knox is a decommissioned recreational/residential site in the Victorian suburb of Wantirna, which originally opened in 1980 under the Spastic Society of Victoria. The old buildings have been in a severe state of decay since vandalism which began in the late 2010s. Recent fires have caused further destruction, making renovation unfeasible.
History
Operational years (1980–2016)
On 24 April 1980, Sir Billy Snedden officially opened a new, purpose-built campus in Wantirna for the Spastic Society of Victoria (now known as Scope). Spanning over 20,000 square metres, the facility was among the largest and most expensive of its kind locally.[1]
Originally as the Knox Spastic Centre (also Knox Day Centre), it featured a modern health and recreation complex with adjoining accommodation units designed to support both adults and children with disabilities. The site included advanced services for the time: an indoor pool, in-house specialists, learning programs, and community services.[2]
Abandonment (2016–present)
Despite the centre’s initial praise, it soon became clear that the development had significant shortcomings. Built rapidly and with limited input from people with disabilities, the layout and planning quickly became outdated.[3] “Knox will be the Spastic Society’s great monument to shambles,” one former manager said. “It was very expensive, very big – and it was built well after we already knew that accommodation for children and adults shouldn’t be on the same site.”[3]
Others involved in the project echoed this sentiment, pointing to compromises in the design, including conjoined housing units that were originally intended to be separate. After more than three decades of operation, Scope had vacated the site in 2016. Since then, the grounds have remained abandoned, awaiting redevelopment that has yet to materialise.[4] Scrappers stripped, melted down, and sold scrap metal from the adjoining former accommodation units, leaving gaping holes in the roof that accelerated the building’s decay. In 2023 a small fire was lit near Boronia Road. Subsequent destruction by vandals and scrappers, coupled with the pathetic lack of any proper site security, has ultimately lead to its current destroyed state.[4]
Gallery
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North entrance (2025) -
Lounge area (2025) -
Courtyard area (2025) -
Indoor pool (2025) -
Aerial view (2020)
References
- ↑ Johnson, Judy. "The official opening of the Knox Day Centre and Accommodation Units by Sir Billy Snedden". Newstime. 1 (14): 11 – via State Library Victoria.
- ↑ 30th Annual Report. Spastic Society of Victoria. 1978. Search this book on
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Suggett, Jill (1992). The participators : a history of the Spastic Society of Victoria. Search this book on
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Record 424 objections against matchsticks housing". Knox Leader. 1 August 2018.
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