By Ewen McRae
Rockbank continues to be one of the highest growth areas in the country, with Woodlea estate expecting to double its population by the end of next year.
The estate is already home to 3600 residents after opening in 2015, and with a new town centre set to open soon that number is expected to climb quickly.
Woodlea project director Matthew Dean said it was important the estate maintained high levels of infrastructure to keep up.
“As well as providing wonderful homes, we want to provide opportunities including employment, education, retail, commercial and community services as a means of taking suburban living to a new and inspiring standard,” he said.
Once completed, Woodlea is expected to be home to more than 20,000 residents and will feature three sporting precincts, three primary schools (one private and two public), a community hub and a town centre.
The estate is a key factor in Rockbank recently being named as the highest growth area in Australia, with the Housing Industry Association reporting a growth rate of 59.4 per cent in the 2017-18 financial year.
There were more than $224 million in building approvals in the same time.
Melton council chief executive Kelvin Tori said growth in the Rockbank region needed to be supported by state and federal governments.
“Rockbank residents need safe, efficient commutes, education choices, and healthcare access, and this need is felt across the city of Melton,” Mr Tori said.
“Our growing communities like those in Rockbank … are the reason we have been advocating the state and federal governments to fund vital infrastructure like the Western Highway upgrade, additional schools, a new hospital and an electrified railway line.
“We have prepared for the city of Melton’s population projections through our precinct plans.
“Community centres, recreation facilities, footpaths and roads are all defined in our precinct plans and will be delivered by council through its budget process as the population grows.”
