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There’s a lot of development in the works for Melbourne’s west – it is Australia's fastest-growing region, after all – and now we have another major update. The Victorian Government has just given the green light to a major new community in Melton East set to take shape over the next 20 to 30 years. Here’s what we know so far.
This month, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny approved the Melton East Precinct Structure Plan, paving the way for almost 12,000 new homes, seven schools and more than five MCGs’ worth of parks and reserves. Once it’s fully built, the new suburb is expected to be home to more than 36,000 people and support around 1,600 jobs. And, importantly for anyone who has ever endured the daily commute through this area, the plan also includes a serious amount of infrastructure.
Among the proposal are three new arterial roads, 14 intersections and five bridges, alongside new cycling and pedestrian links. According to the Victorian Government, we can also expect to see new shopping facilities and four community hubs, designed to put everyday essentials closer to where people live.
The precinct will be developed in two stages, with homes to be delivered alongside the infrastructure needed to support them. The approval forms part of the Victorian Labor Government’s ten-year greenfields plan, which aims to make space for 180,000 new homes across the state over the next decade, with this particular development expected to take around 20 to 30 years.
Melton East isn’t the only growth area getting a planning shake-up. Over in Melbourne’s north, consultation has opened on the draft Merrifield North Precinct Structure Plan, which could unlock capacity for more than 4,700 jobs across a 970-hectare employment precinct. Located in the Northern Growth Corridor, Merrifield North is earmarked for industries including warehousing, transport and logistics.
The government says the two plans are part of a broader push to ensure Melbourne’s rapidly expanding outer suburbs have the homes, jobs and infrastructure to support their growing populations.
“We’re unlocking space to deliver thousands of more homes – as we deliver the infrastructure these communities need,” Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny said.
The Melton area is already undergoing a major transformation, with work underway to electrify the Melton rail line, construction on the new Melton Hospital ongoing, and upgrades to local roads and schools. You can learn more about the plans and keep tabs on the expected timeline over here.
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