Local history
The suburb of Epping is split between precincts areas: Epping (80 per cent) and Epping North (20 per cent along with a portion of the suburb of Wollert).
Epping North a precinct in Epping includes parts of the suburbs of Epping and Wollert within its boundaries.
European settlement of Epping dates from 1839, with land used mainly for farming (especially dairy farming) until the late 1900s.
Originally named Darebin Creek, the area changed to Epping in 1853, reportedly after the Epping Forest in Essex, England.
Epping remained a township until the late 20th century, with the majority of settlement and development contained to the historic township area north of Cooper Street flanking High Street.
Epping Central
Epping Central is a designated Metropolitan Activity Centre and is recognised as an area of significant growth, employment, new housing, services and entertainment options.
Epping Central:
- Supports a range of current and future land uses and activities with land ready for redevelopment.
- Services an established community and a large catchment area in Melbourne’s outer north including the Epping North/Wollert and Mernda/Doreen growth areas, in addition to the growing Donnybrook and industrial hub of Campbellfield.
- Has an established road network, a redeveloped Epping train station and there are plans for future road and rail expansion.
- Is less than 20 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD and is strategically located close to major arterial roads that link to Melbourne Airport, the Port of Melbourne, the agricultural producing regions of Victoria and the northern states.
Planning and development
Epping Central Project
The Epping Central Project will transform Epping into a thriving regional centre with a mixed range of new services, facilities and infrastructure from the City of Whittlesea, state government and the private sector.
This project is guided by our Epping Central Structure Plan that sets out the long-term vision for the Epping Central area, including where and how land will be used and developed over the next 20 years.
The plan sets out a vision for the area including:
- Diverse and sustainable housing
- Attracting new businesses that will provide jobs and entertainment
- Infrastructure and services needed to support the area such as community centres and social infrastructure
- Heritage and culture
- A sustainable transport network
- New and improved public open-spaces
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Environmental conservation
Pedestrian and cyclist investment
- Council and state government have invested over $1 million in improving walking and cycling paths.
- The Cooper Street shared bike/walking path that runs between Epping Station and Edgars Road will be extended to connect with the Hume Freeway shared path network.
Epping development plans
The plans below show the proposed development for a number of new housing estates in Epping. Development of these estates will generally follow the plans but is subject to change.
If you are unable to access the information in the above plans, please call 9217 2346.
Population
Epping
In 2015 it is estimated 18,900 people live in Epping. By 2035, the population is forecast to be nearly 24,000; an increase of 26.2 per cent.
The median age of residents is expected to remain at 36 in 2035.
Births
In 2015, it is estimated 295 children will be born (nearly 6 births per week). By 2035, this is expected to increase to 369 births per year (around 7 births per week).
Diversity
Around 40 per cent of people speak a language other than English at home.
Currently the most common languages spoken are Macedonian, Italian and Arabic. Most common countries-of-birth other than Australia are India, Republic of North Macedonia and Italy.
Epping has the second largest proportion of residents who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander compared with other areas in the municipality (behind Whittlesea Township).
Epping North
By 2036 the number of people estimated to be living in Epping North will be about 51,500 – an increase of about 34,500 over the 2015 figure of about 20,000 with the median age increasing over the same period from 29 years to 36 years.
There will be considerably more residents aged 60 plus with an increase of 5,938 residents between 2015 and 2036.
Births
In 2015, there will be an estimated 484 births (nine births per week on average) – a figure estimated to almost double by 2036 to 16 births per week on average (868 births for the year).
Diversity
About 57 per cent of the population speak a language other than English.
In 2015 the most common country-of-birth other than Australia includes India, Republic of North Macedonia and Sri Lanka while the most common languages spoken other than English are Macedonian, Italian, Punjabi, and Arabic.
Families and households
Epping
The average household size of 2.7 people in 2015 is expected to remain the same in 2035.
There are approximately 6,770 dwellings in 2015. This is expected to increase to 8,800 dwellings by 2035.
About 15 per cent are single parent households and the number of 1-person households is expected to increase by about 600 by 2035 (or 51.3 per cent).
Employment
There are more residents working in the manufacturing and the retail trade industries compared with any other industry.
There are more clerical and administrative workers in Epping than any other occupation (16.8 per cent).
Education
There are a similar number of residents (15.7 per cent) attending school (primary, secondary and kindergarten) compared with the broader population of Greater Melbourne.
Epping North
In 2015, there are approximately 6,600 dwellings, which is expected to increase to 17,700 dwellings by 2036.
Just over half of the households consist of couples with children.
Employment
There are more professionals (17 per cent) and clerical/administrative (16 per cent) workers than any other occupations.
The most common industries of employment are manufacturing (15 per cent) and health care and social assistance (12 per cent).
Education
There are slightly more children attending kindergarten (2.2 per cent) and primary school (9 per cent) compared with the population of Greater Melbourne (1.7 per cent and 7.6 per cent). 48 per cent of residents have a tertiary or vocational qualification.
Travelling in and out
Epping
Over half of households have access to 2 or more motor vehicles and more than two thirds of residents drive a car to their place of work.
Epping North
In 2015 about 66 per cent of households have access to 2 or more motor vehicles and 68 per cent of residents drive a car to their place of work.
Advocacy priorities for Epping & Epping North
- Hume Freeway Interchange at O’Herns Road and Edgars Road extension
- Rail extension to Epping North and Wollert
- Duplicate Epping Road
- Epping Central
- Information, learning and cultural hub
Council is seeking state government funding for an information, learning and cultural hub. The hub aims to deliver education and community services, including lifelong learning and community development, and community infrastructure for the existing and growing community in Melbourne’s north, to help build community resilience, and support community networking, employment, educational opportunities and economic development.
- Childs Road duplication
Childs Road is the major east-west arterial road linking Mill Park and Epping. It is a duplicated 4-lane divided road from Plenty Road to Dalton Road, except for the section across the E6 reservation and the Darebin Creek. This part of the road becomes a 2-lane road. As a result of the current intersection design and narrow bridge, traffic flow is unpredictable during peak periods. Duplicating the 850m section of Childs Road and providing a new bridge across the Darebin Creek will provide a continuous 4-lane divided road between Plenty Road in Mill Park and Dalton Road in Epping and remove the unsafe footpath and the traffic bottleneck.
- Northern Hospital expansion
There is a critical need to expand the Northern Hospital to adequately service the growing population in the City of Whittlesea and Melbourne’s north. The Northern is the only public hospital in the northern growth corridor. Council is advocating for additional beds and Royal Children’s Hospital paediatric services.
Find out about other advocacy priorities for the whole City of Whittlesea.