Wyndham’s population passes Geelong, prompting push for new region

THE City of Wyndham in Melbourne’s west is growing so fast — 86 babies born every week — its population has now passed Geelong, prompting Wyndham’s mayor to call for the creation of a new region.

THE City of Wyndham in Melbourne’s west is growing so fast — 86 babies born every week — its population has now passed Geelong.

The new population figures have prompted Wyndham Mayor Peter Maynard to call for the creation of a new region — the Wyndham, Avalon and Geelong City Rural Region — to drive investment.

“Geelong needs Wyndham, Wyndham needs Geelong and this plan would help attract investment in both areas,” Cr Maynard said.

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Wyndham has boomed in recent years thanks to housing developments in Point Cook, Werribee, Wyndham Vale, Tarneit and Hoppers Crossing.

Figures from .id, using Australian Bureau of Statistics data, show Wyndham is home to 250,186 people, just ahead of Greater Geelong’s 247,068.

Victoria’s largest council by population is still Casey in Melbourne’s southeast growth corridor where the population is expected to pass the 330,000 mark this year.

In Wyndham, the population has spiked by 37 per cent in just five years between 2011 and 2016 — 12,000 extra residents every year.

Amanda Mlalazi and her husband, Martin, moved to Pt Cook four years ago and built their own home.

“We were looking at starting a family and it’s a nice community for families and still affordable,’’ Ms Mlalazi said.

(Clockwise from front) Amanda Mlalazi with Emeli, Nicole and Spencer Tehan, Wadzanai and Rufaro Mutauranwa, Sibonile Mlauzi and Reign Ronewa Ndou in Point Cook. Picture: Tony Gough

Geelong’s population has now been passed by Wyndham. Picture: Bronwyn Gudgeon/iStock

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Cr Maynard said governments needed to shift their focus from inner-city suburbs to the urban fringes and regions.

“We hold some of the keys to being hubs for jobs, transport, education and freight and industrial movements,” he said.

The population is expected to hit 435,000 within two decades.

“Our analysis has shown that we will need 25 new kindergartens, 20 primary schools and six

secondary schools by 2036.’’

The council’s budget submissions include calls for funded for the Western Interstate Freight Terminal.

“This project will include the construction of an interstate freight terminal and warehousing

precinct in Truganina and a rail link to the interstate rail freight network.”

Wyndham in 2009, when its population reached 140,000.

Amanda Mlalazi with Emeli, Nicole and Spencer Tehan, Wadzanai and Rufaro Mutauranwa, Sibonile Mlauzi and Reign Ronewa Ndou and Irvin Jnr, 6. Picture: Tony Gough

Ten outer-ring councils have formed the Interface Councils group to lobby for better services and infrastructure.

Interface spokesman, Melton Mayor Bob Turner, said Melbourne’s west was one of the fastest growing areas of Australia.

“There’s massive demand for health services and education, and there’s gaps in public transport,’’ Cr Turner said.

“We’ve always been playing catch-up and that’s what the Interface group aims to do — support each other and hopefully the state government will hear our cries.’’

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