This place snapshot provides a summary of future development in the South Morang 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 South Morang
- Plenty Valley Town Centre
- Mernda Rail Extension
- Quarry Hills Regional Parkland
- Mill Park Lakes meeting space
- Riverside Community Activity Centre
- Hawkstowe Recreation Reserve
- Proposed Mill Park Lakes East Primary School
- Farm Vigano
- Le Page Homestead at Plenty Gorge Park
- City of Whittlesea Council Offices
- Mill Park Lakes Maternal and Child Health Centre
Local history
South Morang is located 23 kilometres northeast of Melbourne’s city centre and covers an area of approximately 19 square kilometres.
South Morang is named after the area of Morang where the suburb exists today.
European settlement started from 1870s with the post office opening in November 1873 followed by the first primary school in 1877.
Planning and development
The South Morang Local Structure Plan (1997) guides development within the South Morang area, but can be subject to change.
South Morang development plans
These plans show the proposed development for a number of developments within South Morang. Development of these sites will generally follow the plans but is subject to change.
Some of the plans below 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.
Proposed South Morang civic precinct
Council is advocating to the state government to invest in a Civic Precinct on the Civic Centre at Ferres Boulevard that potentially includes:
- Magistrates’ Court
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
- County Court
- Victoria Police
- Community Correctional Services
- Social services, non-government agencies, businesses and residential development
Precinct Structure Plans
Precinct Structure Plans are high-level master plans for whole communities. They lay out roads, retail hubs, schools, parks, housing, employment, connections to transport and generally address biodiversity, cultural heritage, infrastructure provision and funding through the development contributions plan.
The State Government’s, Metropolitan Planning Authority, in partnership with Council, has currently prepared the Quarry Hills Precinct Structure Plan.
Population
In 2015 there is an estimated 21,000 people living in South Morang with a 9 per cent increase forecast by 2036 to 23,100.
In 2015, 25 per cent of residents are aged between 35 to 49 years. The number of people aged 50 plus is expected to almost double by 2036.
Births
It is estimated there will be 386 births in South Morang in 2015 (7 births per week on average) and by 2036 this is expected to decrease to 357 births per year (6 births per week on average).
Diversity
The most common languages spoken other than English are Macedonian, Italian and Greek and the most common countries-of-birth other than Australia include India, Italy and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Families and households
In 2014 there are 6,831 dwellings. This is expected to increase to 8,244 dwellings by 2036 with around half of all households consisting of couples with children (51 per cent).
Employment
The most common types of occupation are clerical and administrative workers (18 per cent), with more residents working in manufacturing and retail than any other industry.
Education
There are proportionally more residents who are attending school (primary, secondary and pre-school) compared with the broader population of Greater Melbourne (21 per cent versus 16 per cent).
Travelling in and out
About 70 per cent of households have access to 2 or more vehicles with residents more likely to drive a car to work, compared with the broader population of Greater Melbourne (74 per cent).
Advocacy priorities for South Morang
- Complete Findon Road
Council is advocating to the state government to fund the completion of Findon Road between Williamsons Road and Gorge Road in order to ease current traffic congestion and dangerous traffic conditions. Findon Road is the only planned main east-west arterial road north of the Metropolitan Ring Road. - Transport Network
The State Labor Government made a pre-election commitment in 2014 of $600 million to extend the South Morang train line to Mernda. Council is seeking state government funding to extend the number 86 tram line from RMIT University Bundoora to the South Morang Transport Hub and then through The Lakes Boulevard to join with Plenty Road. - Duplication of Plenty Road
Council is advocating for the state government to duplicate Plenty Road from Riverdale Boulevard to Bridge Inn Road and install traffic lights at Plenty Road and Bridge Inn Road, Mernda. - Yan Yean Road duplication: Yarrambat to Doreen
- E6 construction from Metropolitan Ring Road to Bridge Inn Road
Find out about other advocacy priorities for the whole City of Whittlesea.
Westfield Entertainment and Leisure Precinct
Westfield have an approved planning permit to develop an entertainment and leisure precinct at their Plenty Valley shopping centre.
The new development is proposed at the western end of the centre, close to South Morang Train Station.
Once completed the precinct will include:
- a cinema complex
- an indoor recreation facility
- an outdoor dining precinct arranged around a piazza area
The timing of these works rests with Westfield, visit the Westfield Plenty Valley website for the latest details on the development.