This place snapshot provides a summary of future development in the Doreen area for current and future residents, business owners, investors and community groups.
You can download the full Doreen place snapshot or explore areas of interest on this webpage by clicking the above links.
Download Place snapshot: Doreen(PDF, 906KB)
For snapshots of development in other areas, see Place snapshots: a guide to development in your area.
Doreen is a suburb located about 11 km south of Whittlesea township. It is divided by Yan Yean Road into two local government areas.
- The western part is mainly comprised of residential housing and is located within the City of Whittlesea.
- The eastern part is more rural and located within the Shire of Nillumbik.
Approximately 97% of people living in Doreen reside inside the City of Whittlesea with 3% living in the Shire of Nillumbik.
Local history
European settlement started in 1844. The area was originally named ‘Hazel Glen’ and changed to Doreen in 1895.
The local post office opened 8 December 1870.
You can read the full Doreen place snapshot or select a specific area of interest below.
Overview
Doreen is a rapidly growing suburb. By 2036 it is estimated that the population of Doreen within the City of Whittlesea will increase by about 6,900 from 19,900 in 2015 to 26,800.
In this same period, residents' median age range is expected to rise from 29 to 35 years.
Births
In 2015 there was an estimated 471 births. This equates to an average of nine births each week. By 2036 these figures are expected to decrease to 441 births per year, or eight births per week on average.
Diversity
In 2015 around 1 in 10 residents spoke a language other than English at home. The most common languages spoken within Doreen are:
- Italian
- Greek
- Macedonian
- Arabic.
Overview
By 2036 the number of dwellings is forecast to increase from about 6,900 to 9,850.
For Doreen, the most recent figures show:
- 51% of households are couples with children
- 9% of households have one parent
- 11% of households have one person.
Employment and education
In 2015, 3% of Doreen's residents were attending pre-school with 12% attending primary school.
In that same year, the suburbs most common occupations were:
- technician and trades workers at 18%
- professionals at 20%.
More Doreen residents work in the construction industry than in any other industry. Construction workers make up 25% of local works, compared with an average 8% across greater Melbourne.
Car use
Almost eight in every 10 dwellings have access to two or more motor vehicles and about 73% of residents drive a car to their place of work.
Our Mernda Strategy Plan 2004 (amended in 2008) provides the planning and design framework for development of the Mernda and Doreen growth area over the next 15–20 years.
There are proposed development plans for several new housing estates within the area. Development of these estates will follow the plans, but are subject to change.
Local area developments
- Ashley Park Development Plan(PDF, 24MB)
- Bassetts Road Development Plan(PDF, 10MB)
- Cookes Road Development Plan(PDF, 767KB)
- Garden Road Development Plan(PDF, 6MB)
- Laurimar Development Plan(PDF, 8MB)
- Laurimar Town Centre Development Plan(PDF, 10MB)
- Precinct 2A Doreen Development Plan(PDF, 22MB)
- Orchard Park Development Plan(PDF, 4MB)
- Vantage Point Development Plan(PDF, 19MB)
- 150 Cookes Rd Doreen Development Plan(PDF, 7MB)
- The Ridge Doreen Development Plan(PDF, 14MB)
- Yan Yean Road Doreen Development Plan(PDF, 3MB)
- 1025 Yan Yeah Road Doreen Development Plan
See the location of these new developments on our interactive map
The Development Plan applies to 1025 Yan Yean Road, Doreen and will guide the development of the site for residential purposes.
What the plan includes
The purpose of the Development Plan is to:
- Guide orderly planning for the site and the locality consistent with Council strategic policy expectations
- Identify preferred land use outcomes for the land
- Incorporate the priorities of specialist consultant works into future development of the site
- Reinforce and enhance the local character of the broader surrounding area
- Communicate the local road networks and access expectations for the land
- Provide a clear framework detailing the future planning outcomes and objectives for the land to inform any future application for planning permit.
View the plan
1025 Yan Yean Road Doreen Development Plan(PDF, 8MB)
Contact us
For more information on the development plan endorsed on 5 August 2024, contact our Strategic Futures department on 03 9217 2170 or strategic.planning@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
The proposed Development Plan for Precinct 2A applies to a number of properties in Doreen, and will guide the future use and development of the land.
About the Development Plan
The proposed Development Plan applies to a number of properties in Doreen bound by Cookes, Yan Yean and Bridge Inn roads and existing residential development. The area is referred to as Precinct 2A.
The proposed plan will guide the future use and development of land for residential purposes.
Area covered by the plan
The proposed development plan applies to the land shown below, referred to as Precinct 2A.
The plan does not propose development on any surrounding properties outside this area.
What the plan does
The preparation of a Development Plan is a statutory requirement in accordance with the Development Plan Overlay (Schedule 5) in the Whittlesea Planning Scheme, which affects the properties highlighted above.
The proposed Development Plan consists of both text and plan components and provides for a road layout, future residential development parcels and open space network.
Exhibition of the plan
As part of a non-statutory exhibition process, we notified potentially affected property owners/occupiers and relevant Government agencies about the proposed Precinct 2A Development Plan, and gave them the opportunity to make a submission.
The Development Plan was exhibited from 20 April 2023 to 22 May 2023.
We'll publish updates on the development plan to this page as they become available.
Download the plan
At the Council Meeting on 16 July 2024, Council resolved to approve the final development plan. The plan can be accessed here.
Precinct 2A Doreen Development Plan(PDF, 22MB)
Contact us
For more information on the development plan endorsed on 23 July 2024, contact our Strategic Futures team on 03 9217 2170 or strategic.planning@whittlesea.vic.gov.au
Doreen South Community and Education Precinct
This precinct includes:
- Hazel Glen Primary School
- Hazel Glen Secondary College
- St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School
- St Paul the Apostle Secondary College
- Hazel Glen Child and Family Centre.
Ashley Park Community Centre
Funded by the state government, the centre opened in 2018 with a new kindergarten. Future community facilities will include:
- maternal and child health
- community meeting spaces
- child care centre
- neighbouring state government primary school.
Doreen residents enjoy an array of outdoor spaces and community facilities including:
- Ashley Park active recreation reserve
- Brookwood Community Centre
- Doreen recreation reserve
- Laurimar Community Activity Centre
- Laurimar recreation reserve
- Painted Hills recreation reserve
Doreen is also home to the Southern Hemisphere's largest mushroom farm: Costa's Mushroom Exchange.