Residents of Melbourne suburbs say infrastructure is lagging behind population growth
Residents of Melbourne’s western suburbs in Australia complain that transport, schools and other infrastructure are not keeping pace with rapid population growth. In Tarneit, which is part of the Wyndham municipality about 22 kilometres from Melbourne’s central business district, residents report problems accessing public transport and lengthy trips around the city, ABC News Australia reports.
Kiritika Deo, who moved from India in 2020, said that in Tarneit’s new housing estate she found it difficult to reach public transport. According to her, during peak hours, a car journey to central Melbourne can take up to an hour and a half. At the same time, the area is gradually developing: while six years ago it took about 15 minutes to drive to the nearest shopping centre, it is now a five-minute walk away.
Wyndham’s rapid growth
The Wyndham municipality is one of Australia’s fastest-growing urban areas. Census data show that its population grew from about 162,000 in 2011 to 292,000 in 2021, while the number of dwellings increased by nearly 70% over that period. The city council forecasts that the municipality’s population will reach 480,000 people within 20 years.
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University of Melbourne urban development expert Max Holleran called the situation the result of at least one, and possibly two, generations of poor planning. In his assessment, outward urban expansion has led to dispersed and insufficiently interconnected neighbourhoods, making it difficult for residents to find jobs in other parts of the city. According to Wyndham Council data, most residents travel outside the municipality for work, and most spend more than five hours a week commuting.
A new station and the need for schools
The new West Tarneit station was opened on the regional rail line connecting Geelong and Melbourne. For Kiritika Deo, this will reduce the drive to the nearest rail connection from 13 to about six minutes. Holleran considers the expansion of the V/Line network one of the best solutions for connecting outer suburbs, but stresses the need for denser development near stations.
Narindeep Kaur, a resident of neighbouring Truganina, said transport problems persist: trains can be cancelled at the last minute, and carriages can be overcrowded. She also pointed to the need for more schools and a variety of educational and creative centres for young people. Wyndham Mayor Mia Shaw called synchronising infrastructure development with population growth one of the municipality’s biggest challenges.
