Place Snapshot: Doreen

European settlement started in 1844, the area originally named ‘Hazel Glen’ was changed to Doreen in 1895. 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 an estimated 26,800.

This place snapshot provides a summary of future development in the Doreen area for current and future residents, business owners, investors and community groups.

For snapshots of development in other areas, see Place Snapshots: A Guide to Development in Your Area.

Snapshot of Doreen

Doreen South Community and Education Precinct:

Hazel Glen Primary School
Hazel Glen Secondary College, state government funded, expected to be completed in 2018
St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary School (operational)
Proposed St Paul the Apostle Secondary College, expected to be completed in 2021/2022
Hazel Glen Child and Family Centre

Proposed Painted Hills Recreation Reserve
Doreen Recreation Reserve
Costas Mushroom Exchange
Largest mushroom farm in the Southern Hemisphere.
Proposed Ashley Park Community Centre
Funded by the state government, the kindergarten is expected to open by 2018 with the opportunity for additional community facilities in the future for maternal and child health, community meeting spaces and a child care centre. A state government primary school is also expected to be developed next door.
Proposed Ashley Park Active Recreational Reserve
Laurimar Community Activity Centre
Laurimar Recreation Reserve
Brookwood Community Centre

Local history

Yan Yean is a local Aboriginal name for ‘young man’ (derived from yan yan) in Woiwurrung the local language of the Wurundjeri people.

Yan Yean Road divides Doreen into 2 local government areas:

The western part is mainly comprised of residential housing and is located within the City of Whittlesea
The eastern part, including Yarrambat and Nutfield, is more rural and located within the Shire of Nillumbik.

Approximately 97 per cent of people living in the suburb of Doreen reside in the City of Whittlesea and 3 per cent reside in the Shire of Nillumbik.

European settlement started in 1844, the area originally named ‘Hazel Glen’ was changed to Doreen in 1895.

The Post Office opened on 8 December 1870.

Planning and development

Doreen, a rapidly developing residential area located 26 kilometres north-east of Melbourne’s city centre, as of 2015 is one of the fastest growing areas in Australia.

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 to 20 years.

Doreen development plans

These plans show the proposed development for a number of new housing estates within Doreen. Development of these estates will generally follow the plans but is subject to change.

Some of these plans are only extracts from the full development plans. To request a complete plan with related policy content, or if you are unable to access the information in these documents, please call 9217 2346.

To view the location of these housing estates, access our interactive map

Population

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 an estimated 26,800 with an increase in the median age over the same period from 29 years to 35 years.

While in 2015 about 25 per cent of the population is aged between 35 to 49, by 2036 there will be a significant increase in the proportion of residents aged over 50.

Births

In 2015, there will be an estimated 471 births (9 per week on average) and by 2036 this is expected to decrease to 441 births per year (8 births per week on average).

Diversity

In 2015 around 1 in 10 residents speak a language other than English at home with the most common languages spoken being Italian, Greek, Macedonian and Arabic.

Families and households

By 2036 the number of dwellings will increase from about 6,900 to 9,850. For Doreen, the most recent figures show 51 per cent of households are couples with children, 9 per cent are 1-parent households and 11 per cent are 1-person households.

Employment

In 2015 the most common occupations are technician and trades workers (18 per cent) and professionals (20 per cent). More residents work in the construction industry compared with any other industry and a higher proportion compared with Greater Melbourne (25 per cent versus 8 per cent).