Werribee residents have rubbished a recent study that ranked their neighbourhoods poorly on a suburban liveability test.
The Liveable Melbourne report released last month ranked Werribee 296 out of 321 suburbs in greater Melbourne in terms of liveability.
The liveability index survey scored suburbs from zero to five, zero being the worst, relating to crime rate, cafes and restaurants, culture, telecommunications coverage, public transport and shopping facilities.
The Deloitte-Tract study reported: “Werribee has only a small cultural sector, with almost no cafes, plus a high crime rate, all of which are factors that detract from its liveability. There are also few schools, public open spaces and hills in the area.
“On the upside, bus access is excellent and there are few congested roads.”
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Other Wyndham suburbs included in the study include Point Cook, ranked at 309, Hoppers Crossing (272) and Laverton at 183.
Star Weekly surveyed residents on the streets of Werribee and most criticised the study’s findings.
Samantha Parker, a Werribee resident of 30 years, labelled the study as “ridiculous”.
“We have plenty of cafes around town, and plenty of schools with more being built in the area,” she said. “In terms of there being few public open spaces – I have four young children and we have plenty of parks to choose from.”
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She said the roads were very congested.
Lifelong Werribee local Suzanne Panhorst said residents were spoilt for choice when it came to cafes and restaurants.
“We have so many, many offering different cultural foods,” she said. “Werribee is just growing in this department and will continue to grow. Over the years I’ve noticed the roads get busier and busier. Suggesting we have few congested roads is not true.”
The head of the Wyndham Business and Tourism Association, Nick Christou, suggested those responsible for the study visit the town and speak to locals.
“I completely disagree with what they’ve said,” he said. “Werribee is a developing space with a great art, cultural and entertainment sector. We have plenty on offer and will continue to grow.”
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Mr Christou said Werribee had high-quality restaurants.
Chatterbox Cafe owner, Sal El-Hassan also disagreed with the study’s findings.
“Werribee cafes would put most on the other side of the city to shame,” he said. “We’re also seeing the expansion of Werribee Plaza [Pacific Werribee] which is bringing more to the region.”
This is what the Liveable Melbourne report said:
Werribee (ranked 296th)
“Werribee has only a small cultural sector, with almost no cafes, plus a high crime rate, all of which are factors that detract from its liveability. There are also few schools, public open spaces and hills in the area. On the upside, bus access is excellent and there are few congested roads.”
Point Cook (309)
“Point Cook’s liveability is dropping as the crime rate of the area increases. It scores well for coastline proximity and public open space such as Point Cook Coastal Park, but is deprived of culture, tree cover, cafes, shops and schools.”
Hoppers Crossing (272)
“Hoppers Crossing offers residents sizeable shopping facilities, great bus access and relatively clear roads. It is dragged down mainly by the lack of tree cover and its high crime rate. More public open spaces would also improve the area.”
Laverton (183)
“Its highest scores are in the categories of coastline proximity, schools, trams and trains. Laverton’s liveability is disadvantaged by the lack of tree cover and topographic variation of the area, and would rank higher with a lower crime rate.
