Liam McNally
Moorabool’s population has increased more than 12 per cent faster than the state average in the past decade, and new detailed population data is helping Moorabool council plan for changing communities.
The data compiled by population forecast company .id using the latest census information shows Moorabool has had a population increase of 33.8 per cent over the past 10 years, compared to the Victorian average of 21.5 per cent.
The biggest population increases are Maddingley at 140 per cent, Merrimu-Hopetoun Park with 74.9 per cent, Bacchus Marsh 33.2 per cent, and Ballan at 26.2 per cent.
Smaller towns including Blackwood, Greendale, Myrniong, Wallace, Bungaree and Dunnstown all recorded double figure population increases over the past 10 years.
Moorabool mayor Ron Ward said the significant growth rate is predicted to increase, and council needs to “plan carefully”.
“All departments within council are aware of this growth… the work they do plans for and reflects how different our communities will look over the next 10-20 years,” he said.
Moorabool’s average resident is aged 39, with the population age spread concentrated on the elderly, parents in their 30s and teenagers.
Melton and Wyndham are the main areas people move to Moorabool from, and after English, the main language spoken is Punjabi.
Close to two thirds of Moorabool residents leave the shire for work, and the health of residents shows higher than state average occurrences of arthritis and mental health conditions.
“All of this data is used to advocate to other levels of government for appropriate and better infrastructure and services for our communities,” Cr Ward said.
“We are seeing a big infrastructure blitz at the moment, with projects such as the expansion of Bacchus Marsh Racecourse Recreation Reserve, West Maddingley Early Years Hub, Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Ballan Library and Community Hub.
“As the community grows and changes, we need to adapt accordingly,”
