Place snapshot: Yan Yean

Yan Yean place snapshot

This place snapshot provides a summary of future development in the Yan Yean area for current and future residents, business owners, investors and community groups.

For snapshots of development in other areas, see Place snapshots: a guide to development in your area.

Suburbs in the rural north

Yan Yean sits within an area of our municipality known as the rural north. Other suburbs of the City of Whittlesea's rural north include:

  • Donnybrook
  • Eden Park
  • Humevale
  • Woodstock
  • the northern part of Wollert
  • the non-urban part of Whittlesea township
  • the City of Whittlesea parts of Beveridge and Kinglake West.

Local history

Yan Yean is located south of the Whittlesea township. The area's name comes from a local Aboriginal word for ‘young man’ (derived from yan yan) in Woiwurrung the local language of the Wurundjeri people.

European pastoral settlement began in the area in 1839. Yan Yean is also home to Victoria’s oldest reservoir.

In 1850, Melbourne City Council engineer James Blackburn identified the Plenty River as a source of clean water for Melbourne. He devised a plan to pipe water to the burgeoning city. In 1853, the colonial government took over Blackburn's proposal, and decided to use Ryder's Swamp, a natural basin just east of the river, to build a reservoir. It was completed in 1857.

The reservoir was a favourite destination for excursionists, particularly after the opening of the Whittlesea railway (1889–1959). During construction more than 1,000 people lived at Yan Yean. The town included a primary school (1858–2002), shop (1859), post office (1876–1974), church and two hotels.

Dairying was an important contributor to the local economy from the 1920s until the 1970s, alongside sheep and beef cattle.

As metropolitan Melbourne has edged closer poultry, horse and dog breeding have developed, but cattle grazing remains the dominant rural industry.

Land use

The rural north comprises the rural balance of the City of Whittlesea, including some rural-residential areas.

The non-urban areas are characterised by:

  • forest
  • cattle grazing
  • farming
  • poultry
  • horse and dog breeding. 

Population

Density and growth

The 2011 population for the rural north was 3,317 with a population density of 0.10 persons per hectare.

The 2016 population forecast for the rural north was 3,248 and is forecast to grow to 3,808 by 2036.

The number of dwellings in the rural north was forecast to grow from 1,123 in 2011 to 1,276 by 2026. The average household size was forecast to fall from 2.96 to 2.92 people by 2026.

Demographics

The rural north had a lower proportion of pre-school aged residents and a higher proportion of people at post retirement age than the City of Whittlesea in 2011.

There were 26 people over the age of 85 living in the rural north in 2011, with the largest age group being 50–54 year olds.

Diversity

In the rural north, 15% of people spoke a language other than English at home in 2011.

In the same year, 11% of people in the area came from countries where English was not their first language.

The three largest ancestries of residents in 2011 were Australian, English and Italian.

Employment

Of the residents living in the rural north in 2011, 1,718 of them were employed, with 60% working full time and 36% working part time.

More residents worked in construction than any other industry in 2011. There were more technicians and trades workers than any other occupation.

Voluntary work was being carried out by 17% of the population in 2011, which is higher than the City of Whittlesea average of 9.7%.

Families and households

Couples with children made up 45% of households in 2011.

Those purchasing or fully owning their home made up 83% of households, with 11.2% being privately rented and no residents in social housing. 

Car use

Analysis of car ownership in 2011 indicated 81% of households in the area had access to two or more motor vehicles, compared to 61% across the City of Whittlesea. 

By 2021 this had declined to 68% of households in the rural north having access to two or more motor vehicles.

 

Green Wedge Management Plan

The Green Wedge Management Plan identifies a vision and recommends actions for the sustainable use of Whittlesea’s rural land.

Places of interest

Yan Yean reservoir park

Managed by Melbourne Water, the reservoir supplies the northern and central suburbs of Melbourne.

Location
40 Recreation Road
Yan Yean

Park facilities include:

  • walking tracks
  • picnic facilities
  • public toilets
  • car parking
  • lookout views
  • interpretive facilities. 

Toorourrong reservoir park (Whittlesea)

Managed by Parks Victoria, Toorourrong reservoir park was completely destroyed by the 2009 bushfires. The Victorian Government spent $5.1 million rebuilding the park, which reopened to the public in late 2015. It is also home to the Whittlesea Bushfire Memorial.

Location
120 Jacks Creek Road
Humevale

Facilities at this park include:

  • walking tracks
  • picnic facilities
  • public toilets
  • car parking 
  • lookout views. 

Kinglake National Park

This park has:

  • 23,210ha of tall forests, fern gullies and rolling hills
  • an extensive network of walking tracks
  • multiple vantage points offering scenic views.

Protected within this area are:

  • almost 600 native plant species
  • over 40 native mammal species
  • 90 native bird species.

Find more information at Parks Victoria

Growling Frog Golf Course (Yan Yean)

The golf course has first class facilities, including:

  • a restaurant and cafe
  • dedicated driving range
  • putting green
  • chipping green
  • practice bunker.

The creation of a dedicated water supply has ensured the course has plenty of water to keep it maintained at the highest standard throughout the year.

Visit the Growling Frog website

Whittlesea Golf Club

Situated in the Humevale Valley, this club houses a challenging 18-hole layout for players of all standards.

Location
160 Humevale Road
Whittlesea

Visit the Whittlesea Golf Club website

T H Hurrey recreation reserve (Yan Yean)

Location

1925A Plenty Road
Yan Yean

Facilities at this 4ha park include:

  • four asphalt tennis courts
  • a pavilion
  • change rooms
  • barbecues and picnic facilities
  • public toilet.

For further details, contact the Parks Administration department on 03 9217 2170 or at info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au 

Tuttle recreation reserve (Wollert)

Location

523–525 Epping Road
Wollert

Facilities at this 2.16ha reserve include:

  • two synthetic grass public access tennis courts
  • a pavilion
  • club rooms
  • barbecues and picnic facilities
  • public toilets.

For further details please contact the Parks Administration department on 03 9217 2170 or at info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au. 

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