Melbourne is getting an entirely new suburb. Here’s what it will look like
Melbourne will soon grow to include a new suburb in the city’s north-western outskirts.
The Victorian government on Friday announced it is forging ahead with plans to build a community named Melton East, located about 35 kilometres from the CBD.
A map of the soon-to-be built Melton East. Victorian Planning Authority
Plans for the of 1005-hectare suburb have been given the green light to support Melbourne’s fast-growing population, which is on track to surpass nine million people by 2051.
Melton East is expected to be home to 36,000 people, will deliver 12,000 newly built homes, seven schools and “five MCGs worth of parks and reserves”.
The state government estimates the suburb will bring 1600 jobs to the capital.
There are also plans to build “vital” community infrastructure, including kindergartens, community meeting rooms, cycling and pedestrian paths, three arterial roads and five bridges.
A historical rock wall found within the Melton East area. Victorian Planning Authority
The suburb is set to be built in two stages.
A second plan is underway to build a suburb named Merrifield North in Melbourne’s outer-north.
Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said Melton East will unlock thousands of homes for Victorians as the city grapples with an ongoing housing crisis.
“The plans for Melton East and Merrifield North are about building connected places for more Victorians to live, work and thrive,” Kilkenny said.
The plans for Melton East has been underway since 2022.
Melton East is expected to deliver 12,000 newly built homes. Victorian Planning Authority
Victorian Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny said the new suburb would unlock thousands of homes. Photograph by Chris Hopkins
The full precinct is expected to be fully developed over 20 to 30 years.
Early documents described the vision for the suburb as a “harmonious blend of the natural environment and modern urban living”.
“The future Melton East community will be diverse, inclusive, engaged and contribute to the creation of a vibrant neighbourhood,” a 2022 Victorian Planning Authority (VPA) document reads.
Melbourne’s outer west is among the city’s fastest-growing areas, with the population expected to double to 1.8 million by 2050.
The Victorian government said it’s 10-year plan to develop Melbourne’s greenfields – the name for undeveloped land on the outer fringe of the city – will build 180,000 homes by 2036.
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