Place Snapshot: Thomastown

Thomastown is thought to have been named after the Thomas family who began market gardening in the area in the 1840s. In 2021, it is estimated 20,225 people live in Thomastown with increase forecast by 2036 to 25,800.

This place snapshot provides a summary of future development in the Thomastown 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 Thomastown

Main Street Thomastown includes:

Thomastown Library
Thomastown Neighbourhood House
Thomastown Recreation and Aquatics Centre
Bubup Wilam for Early Learning
Main Street Recreation Reserve
Thomastown West Primary School
Thomastown Secondary College

Thomastown War Memorial
Twenty one plaques are located in the Thomastown War Memorial area to commemorate the former pupils of the Thomastown Primary School who served in World War I.
Thomastown Industrial Area
Meridian Business Park
The park comprises over 70 warehouses, a 2-level office complex and a premium catering retail facility in the estate, previously known as the Goodyear Tyre Manufacturing Plant. The Business Park is conveniently located between High Street and Dalton Road.
Thomastown High Street improvements
Improvements to streets and public areas such as seating, shelters and bike facilities are planned for Thomastown High Street shops.
Westgarthtown
Located within Thomastown and Lalor, Westgarthtown is a heritage site of state significance. It was a former dairy farming settlement established in 1850 by German and Wendish immigrants.
R.G.C Recreation Reserve

Local history

Thomastown is thought to have been named after the Thomas family who began market gardening in the area in the 1840s. The name Thomastown has been in official use since the early 1850s.

The number of residents was small until the late 1800s, spurred by the opening of the railway to Whittlesea in 1889.

Intact buildings of Westgarthtown, including a Lutheran Church and cemetery, are evidence of German/Wendish settlement which commenced in 1850.

Early industrial development included the establishment of a pottery in Settlement Road in 1922.

The electrification of the railway line to Thomastown in 1929 prompted the subdivision of land around the railway station for residential development.

Significant development occurred in the post-war years, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s.

Planning and development

Thomastown is around 15 square kilometres in size, although known as a residential area, it has a significant industrial area.

Thomastown and Lalor Shops Master Plan

Council adopted the master plan for Thomastown and Lalor Shops in December 2011. The Plan includes street improvements to shopping areas (improved landscaping, seats, shelters and bike facilities).

Greenhills Road Development Plan

The Greenhills Road Development Plan shows the proposed development for the following land parcels in Thomastown/Bundoora:

182 Greenhills Road, Thomastown
167 Plenty Road, Bundoora
214W Greenhills Road, Bundoora
172 Greenhills Road, Thomastown (part)

The plan includes:

location of future housing developments
pedestrian friendly streetscapes
road connections
public open spaces

Future development of the land will be delivered generally in accordance with this plan.

Population

In 2021, it is estimated 20,225 people live in Thomastown with an increase forecast by 2036 to 25,800.

The median age in Thomastown is 38 and this is expected to remain the same by 2036. The age group forecast to experience the greatest change between 2015 and 2036 are residents aged between 70 to 84 (33 per cent).

Births

An estimated 245 children were born in 2015 (4 births per week on average). By 2036, it is expected to increase to 294 births per year (5 births per week on average).

Diversity

More than two thirds of residents speak a language other than English at home and over half the population were born overseas.

Most common languages spoken other than English are Macedonian, Arabic, Vietnamese and Italian.

Families and households

In 2015 there are approximately 7,750 dwellings and this is expected to increase to 9,450 dwellings by 2036 with an average household size of 3 people. About 37 per cent of households consist of couples with children and about 14 per cent are single parent households.