This place snapshot provides a summary of future development in the Doreen area for current and future residents, business owners, investors and community groups.
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.
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).
Education
In 2015, 3 per cent of residents are attending preschool and 12 per cent are attending primary school.
Travelling in and out
Almost eight in every 10 dwellings have access to 2 or more motor vehicles and about 73 per cent of residents drive a car to their place of work.