Australia Moves to Melbourne's West

Australia’s fastest growing region is no longer the Gold Coast but rather Melbourne's West, a new study has found.

According to KPMG research, over the 12 months to June 2009 the municipalities of Wyndham and Melton faced a population boom with 18,000 new residents, exceeding the Gold Coast with 17,000.

KPMG demographer Bernard Salt said housing affordability had played a large part in the region's recent population boom.

“There are new house and land packages on the market in Werribee for less than $280,000, compared to Melton South where packages start at around $260,000," Mr Salt said.

In addition to the increased population, the West is projected to add 175,000 people and 82,000 dwellings throughout major growth areas of Werribee and Deer Park over the next decade.

“Population growth at this pace and scale means more demand for social infrastructure such as houses, shops, schools, roads, medical centres and sporting grounds," Mr Salt said.

article by Matthew Sullivan