New Suburb Announced In Melbourne’s West

Plans for a new suburb, Melton East, featuring almost 12,000 homes have been approved by the Victorian Government, eventually adding more than 36,000 residents to the City of Melton.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny announced the approval of the Melton East Precinct Structure Plan, which will guide development over the next 20 to 30 years.

The plan includes seven schools, four community hubs, shopping areas, parks and reserves, and is expected to support around 1,600 jobs.

Three arterial roads, 14 intersections, five bridges and cycling and pedestrian links are also planned.

Melton East will be developed in two stages, with developers now able to progress permit applications.

More People, More Pressure On Region

The approval comes as rapid population growth continues to place pressure on infrastructure and services across Melbourne’s west.

Melton borders Wyndham, with expanding areas including Tarneit and Truganina located near growth areas on the Melton side of the boundary, including Mount Atkinson.

Despite their proximity, there are significant public transport gaps between parts of the two municipalities. Road connections are also under pressure as housing development continues across the Melton-Wyndham growth corridor.

Infrastructure Victoria found the populations of Melton and Wyndham increased by about 300 per cent between 2001 and 2024, compared with about 50 per cent across Melbourne.

Major transport infrastructure has not always kept pace.

Essential Services Playing Catch Up

The Melton railway line remains unnelectrified, although planning and development work for electrification is underway. Major arterial roads and the Western Highway also face increasing traffic as the western suburbs expand.

Population growth is influenced by migration and population settings at the federal level, while the Victorian Government sets planning policy and housing targets that determine where much of that growth is accommodated.

Under state housing targets, Melton is expected to accommodate another 109,000 homes by 2051.

Melton East forms part of the Victorian Government’s 10-year greenfields plan, which provides for 180,000 new homes across growth areas over the next decade.

The addition of another 36,000 residents at Melton East will add further demand to the wider western suburbs transport and services network as development continues on both sides of the Melton-Wyndham boundary.