Melbourne’s outer suburbs struggle to keep pace with growth

Residents of Melbourne’s outer west, including recent migrants from India and Malaysia, are facing challenges as population growth outpaces infrastructure development.

Kiritika Deo moved to Tarneit in 2020 and found that while the area is developing rapidly with new shopping centres, access to public transport remains difficult. A report from the Victoria Auditor-General’s Office confirmed that many outer suburbs, including Casey, Hume, Melton, Whittlesea, and Wyndham, lack reliable public transport.

The City of Wyndham’s population increased from approximately 162,000 in 2011 to 292,000 in 2021, and experts at the University of Melbourne attribute this rapid growth to decades of poor planning that prioritised outward expansion and cheaply built homes. This has led to increased traffic congestion and dispersed neighbourhoods, forcing many residents to commute long distances for work, with most spending over five hours a week travelling.

However, the Victorian government has begun to address these issues, including the opening of the West Tarneit train station on the Geelong-Melbourne rail line. While this expansion is a positive step, experts say denser housing near stations is needed to create more walkable communities. Residents like Narindeep Kaur also highlight the need for more schools and reliable public transport, as well as a focus on preserving cultural connections for migrant families who choose to settle in areas with established communities.