Mt Atkinson residents are not giving up their fight to split the estate from the suburb of Truganina, despite a majority of Melton councillors voting not to back the move.
In August 2024, Melton council resolved to investigate the process for creating a new suburb named Mount Atkinson and changing the estate’s postcode as part of a move to separate it from Truganina.
But at the 23 February meeting, councillors decided not to make an application to Geographic Names Victoria to create a new locality encompassing the Mt Atkinson, Olivia, Grandview and Atkinson Place estates.
Over several years, residents of the fast-growing estate have raised concerns about access to essential services and have argued a new suburb name would improve postage and transport access, emergency health responses, insurance premiums, property values and local identity.
However, a report to the council meeting said that consultation with key service providers did not support residents’ claims.
Engagement with Australia Post and Ambulance Victoria confirmed that creating a new suburb would not result in a postcode change, nor would it alter hospital allocation processes, which are based on patient need, capacity and availability rather than suburb boundaries, the report stated.
Mt Atkinson Advocacy Forum member Osama Usaf said he felt disappointed by the result.
“I’m disappointed in the way things played out. I feel that the report council produced was not of the best quality and did not address all the points raised by residents,” he said.
Mr Usuf said the forum will continue to work with council in pursuit of a result which addresses residents’ lasting concerns.
“We see this is a wasted opportunity. We are disappointed with the loss of time spent on this but we don’t see it as a setback,” he said.
In a Facebook post, the forum stated that splitting from Truganina was about more than postcodes and ambulance routes.
“Suburb identity isn’t just administrative, it affects buyer perception, investment confidence and long-term branding, the post stated.
Forum member Giri Khara told Star Weekly that having Mt Atkinson attached to the suburb of Truganina was creating daily inconveniences for residents.
He said his mail if often redirected to the Hoppers Crossing post office in Wyndham.
“It cost me just $6 for that parcel, but I ended up spending more on fuel than I did for the parcel itself. And I’ll never get my time back,” he said.
During last week’s council meeting, Cr Philip Zada argued the officer’s report does not reflect the real struggles of those living within Mt Atkinson.
“This decision is not about lines on a map. It is about identity, it’s about clarity, it’s about fairness,” Cr Zada said.
“The lived experience of residents tells a different story. These are not abstract concerns, they are real.”
Despite a negative result, Cr Zada expressed optimism for Mt Atkinson’s future in a post to Facebook before the end of council’s meeting.
“The discussion wasn’t without value. Officers indicated they will continue working with service providers to address the issues raised. That matters,” Cr Zada said.
“Progress can still happen through other avenues.”
