It’s official: Wyndham’s population has outstripped that of Geelong for the first time, and is on target to maintain its new status as the second-largest city in the state.
Wyndham is currently home to 250,186 people – up from the greater Geelong population of 247,068, according to population data experts .id Consulting.
Between 2011 and 2016, Wyndham’s population jumped 37 per cent, growing an average 12,000 new residents every year. On top of that, about 86 babies are born in the area every week. Geelong’s population has grown by 11 per cent over the same period.
Wyndham’s population is now second only to the City of Casey, which has 332,981. And the growth shows no signs of slowing. By 2028, Wyndham’s population is tipped to reach 332,857 people and by 2036, more than 435,000 people are expected to call Wyndham home.
Source: Wyndham council
Wyndham mayor Peter Maynard called on the state government to establish a new region, called the Wyndham, Avalon and Geelong City-Rural Region, to make a priority of investment in the fast-growing region and help attract investment in both areas.
“It’s time that governments shifted focus away from the CBD and inner-city suburbs, towards the regions in Victoria that have the most to offer,” Cr Maynard said.
“Wyndham and other growth areas around the country on the urban boundaries must be considered as regions within their own right. We hold some of the keys to be hubs for jobs, transport, education and freight and industrial movements.
“Being one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities is a major challenge, not a badge of honour.
“It’s crazy to think that a municipality on Melbourne’s urban fringe is now bigger than the second largest city in Victoria.”
Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood could not be contacted for comment.
A spokesman for state planning minister Richard Wynne said the government was taking Wyndham’s population growth seriously.
“We’re building the roads, schools and hospitals that Victorians in growth suburbs need, and we’re ensuring developers who build new communities are giving back to the neighbourhoods they’re helping create,” he said. “We know that population growth offers great opportunities for communities provided we get the planning right – and we’re doing just that.”
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said he would continue to welcome Wyndham council’s ideas.
“The municipality of Wyndham is one of the fastest growing regions, which is why the Andrews Labor government continues to deliver vital infrastructure,” he said.
