Liam McNally
Rockbank-Mt Cotrell had more new dwellings built than anywhere else in the country last year, according to ABS data.
An ABS release on October 31 said that the Rockbank – Mt Cottrell SA2 (Statistical Area Level 2) had a net growth of 2,138 dwellings in the 2021-22 financial year, more than anywhere else in Australia.
ABS Construction Statistics director Daniel Rossi said that on a national level, estimated dwelling stock grew 1.4 per cent.
“At the state level, New South Wales had the largest total estimated stock of dwellings in June 2022, with 3.4 million dwellings,” he said.
“Victoria recorded the largest increase in dwelling stock in 2021-22, with net growth of 50,310 dwellings.
The Rockbank-Mt Cottrell area has seen significant development in recent years, with suburbs such as Aintree and Mt Atkinson being gazetted in 2017, between the two most recent censuses.
Aintree and Bonnie Brook had a combined population of 8,315 at the 2021 census, but Woodlea estate, the primary developer of the suburbs, estimates the figure is now more than 12,500.
Woodlea acting project director Charbel Youssef said Woodlea played a large role in the increase in the area’s dwelling stock.
“We are proud of the sustainable growth within Woodlea and the associated benefits it has provided to our residents, the City of Melton municipality and the connection of existing communities,” he said.
“Woodlea has set out from day one to be Australia’s benchmark master planned community and the dwelling growth is a direct correlation with Woodlea’s establishment as a destination for Melbourne’s west for a breadth of residents.”
Mr Youssef said the dwelling growth essentially provides a critical mass of population to unlock a myriad of infrastructure and services.
“This has underpinned the early delivery of Woodlea Town, Bacchus Marsh Grammar and key local and state government infrastructure, including schools, early learning, sporting precincts, community centres, bus services and upgrades to Rockbank Train Station, which would otherwise not be feasible for early delivery without such growth,” he said.
Mr Youssef said Woodlea has sold in excess of 4000 land lots and townhouses since 2016.
