This is Melbourne’s ‘new growth front’. So where are the facilities?
Melbourne's Mitchell Shire, particularly suburbs like Kilmore East, is facing rapid population growth projected to more than triple by 2045, raising concerns about inadequate infrastructure development. Residents and local leaders highlight insufficient health services, overcrowded schools, and poor public transport, especially for people with disabilities. Despite the scale of expected growth, there is a lack of guaranteed state and federal funding to support essential service expansion.
- ▪Kilmore East, part of Mitchell Shire, is expected to grow from a small regional area to home more than 221,000 people by 2045.
- ▪Mitchell Shire is projected to see a 245% population increase, the largest percentage growth in Victoria.
- ▪Over 157,000 new residents are expected in Mitchell Shire by 2045, second only to Melton and Casey in total numbers.
- ▪Residents report long wait times for allied health services, limited accessible transport, and overcrowded schools.
- ▪Mitchell Shire Mayor John Dougall says the council lacks sufficient financial support from state and federal governments for infrastructure needs.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Sydney Morning Herald.