Community infrastructure lagging in Melbourne’s growth suburbs

Population growth is rapidly outstripping the supply of vital social infrastructure in Melbourne’s 7 fastest growing local government areas, a new report by the state’s independent infrastructure advisory body shows.

Infrastructure Victoria’s latest research, Social infrastructure in Melbourne’s growth areas, finds that Wyndham, for example, has one aquatic recreation centre for every 149,000 residents, compared to the state average of one centre for every 65,000 residents.

The situation is nearly as stark for the provision of libraries, which deliver an increasingly broad range of services and are now often designed as the core of multi-purpose community hubs. Melton currently has around one library per 90,000 residents, compared to the state average of one per 41,000 persons.

Urban expansion outpacing social infrastructure

Infrastructure Victoria Chief Executive Michel Masson said: “Rapid urban expansion means social infrastructure has failed to keep pace with population increases in the new growth areas of Melton, Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Mitchell, Whittlesea and Wyndham.

“It’s not enough to just plan and build housing in greenfield suburbs, all levels of government need to better integrate social infrastructure so that everyone has access to similar services, regardless of postcode,” he said.

The advisory body’s research shows that more people, in particular young families, will continue to move to Melbourne’s growth areas. Already, over one-third of Melbourne’s children aged 4 years and under live in these local government areas.

Victoria’s population is projected to surge by 20% in the next 15 years, with Melbourne’s 7 growth areas anticipated to make up a large share of this increase.

Trailing investment in vital social infrastructure risks further widening the disadvantage gap between many newer and established suburbs.

By 2036, the City of Melton is expected to support one library per 47,000 people aged 19 years and under, compared to the cities of Yarra and Port Phillip with rates as low as one library for 4000 young people.

Call to increase funding for 7 growth areas

Infrastructure Victoria released the state’s 30-year infrastructure strategy in August 2021 which recommended the Victorian Government increase funding to support local governments to plan and deliver libraries and aquatic centres in the state’s 7 growth areas over the next 5 years.

According to the authority’s new report, Melton, Casey, Whittlesea and Wyndham will need both a new aquatic and recreation centre and a new library in the next 5 years. Of the remaining growth areas, Cardinia and Hume will also each need a new library.

Additionally, the authority is urging state and local governments to start planning for potential new aquatic centres in Cardinia and Hume. In Mitchell, where existing infrastructure is disconnected from new growth area suburbs, the report finds planning should begin immediately to assess the need for both a library and aquatic recreation centre.

Investment benefits community and businesses

While social infrastructure can be expensive to build in new suburbs, Mr Masson said the benefits provided to communities and businesses far outweigh the costs.

Both libraries and aquatic centres provide essential services to the community and in many cases act as a community hub, improving physical and mental health and supporting productive and engaged communities.

Michel Masson

Mr Masson added that visitors also spend money at nearby local businesses, supporting local economies and jobs. “Co-locating facilities with other services such as primary health care, allied health or aged care services can provide additional community benefits.

“An opportunity exists for governments to work in partnership to ensure the timely delivery of co-located or integrated facilities that meet rapidly growing community needs and support Victoria’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

For more detail, read our research report