By Ewen McRae
The Rockbank-Mt Cottrell area is the fastest growing region in Australia, according to new figures.
Rockbank-Mt Cottrell topped the Housing Industry Association’s national growth list with a growth rate of 59.4 per cent in the 2017-18 financial year. That growth came on the back of more than 8000 homes being added to the area in that time.
Rockbank-Mt Cottrell took the top spot from the Mickleham region, which slipped to second place. Victoria claimed 12 of the top 20 housing growth hot spots in Australia.
Other western suburbs areas to make the top 20 were Point Cook (12), Truganina (15), Tarneit (17) and Werribee West (20).
HIA chief economist Tim Reardon said growth pockets on the fringes of capital cities continued to perform strongly and predicted Rockbank could be on top for a while.
“The majority of the growth is in the fringe of Melbourne as the city expands,”
Mr Reardon said. “This is not surprising, given the significant investment in infrastructure and the region’s growing professional services sector. Major infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the train station and train lines as well as a new six-lane arterial road … are expected to maintain the momentum.”
Melton council chief executive Kelvin Tori said the growth of Rockbank re-enforced the need for more investment from state and federal governments.
“This report clearly highlights the need we have been advocating for on behalf of our growing communities,” Mr Tori said. “Rockbank residents need safe, efficient commutes, education choices and healthcare access – and this need is felt across the City of Melton.
“Our growing communities, like those in Rockbank and Mt Cottrell, 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.
“We are calling on the state government to maintain its Growing Suburbs Fund so we can continue to provide parks, leisure centres and more in a timely manner.”
