JANE Waldron can remember a time when she knew most of the locals in Werribee.
But with housing estates stretching from Laverton to Point Cook, Hoppers Crossing and Werribee, Mrs Waldron and her husband Paul have decided to leave the once-rural suburb and move to Bacchus Marsh.
“Wyndham has been named capital of the west. They have plans for high-rise buildings to line Main Street soon and I just don’t want that,” Mrs Waldron said.
“I was born and raised in Werribee. If it was still like it was 10 years ago, I’d stay.
“Although lots and lots of new people are coming into Werribee, simultaneously it’s driving a lot of old-timers out.”
But with Bacchus Marsh last month heralded as the fastest-growing inland town in regional Victoria, the Waldrons don’t know how long it might be until Moorabool’s biggest town follows in Werribee’s footsteps.
The Waldrons plan to rent in Bacchus Marsh and get a feel for the area before buying their dream home.
“I’m drawn to Bacchus Marsh because it still has the heritage, country aesthetic; it really feels like it’s your home town,” Mrs Waldron said.
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released in April, Bacchus Marsh’s estimated resident population grew by 4.2per cent in the 12months to June 30 last year. The town grew by 760 people, equal to 14.6 new residents every week.
Moorabool has an estimated population of more than 30,000, making it the sixth-fastest growing municipality in Victoria.
Mayor Pat Griffin said the numbers reflected that Bacchus Marsh was “the place to be”.
As the town was in a valley, sprawling housing estates could be avoided, he said. “We have fantastic infrastructure; the National Broadband Network rollout has started, we have a great new library and plans for a new indoor swimming pool.
“Our high school does need an upgrade, but we are lobbying state and federal governments for more education funding. We have four great primary schools.”
Cr Griffin said the council would endeavour to limit the size of Bacchus Marsh to its current urban boundary.
He spoke to more than 130 exhibitors at last week’s Regional Victoria Living Expo at Melbourne Exhibition Centre, talking up what Moorabool had to offer.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy last week released a population forecast report revealing that the state’s population is expected to surge from 5.6million people to 7.3million between 2011 and 2031.
He earmarked Moorabool as a “peri-urban shire”, which would attract significant growth.
