This place snapshot provides a summary of future development in the South Morang area for current and future residents, business owners, investors and community groups.
You can download the full South Morang place snapshot or explore areas of interest on this webpage by clicking the above links.
Download the full South Morang snapshot(PDF, 2MB)
For snapshots of development in other areas, see Place snapshots: a guide to development in your area.
South Morang is located 23 km north-east of Melbourne’s city centre. It covers about 19 km2 and is named after the area of Morang where the suburb exists today.
Local history
European settlement started from 1870s with the post office opening in November 1873 followed by the first primary school in 1877.
South Morang is also home to our Council offices. Visit us at:
25 Ferres Boulevard
South Morang
There were an estimated 21,000 people living in South Morang in 2015, with a 9% increase to 23,100 forecast by 2036.
In 2015, 25% of residents were aged 35–49 years. The number of people aged 50 or more is expected to almost double by 2036.
It was estimated there would be 386 births in South Morang in 2015, equating to an average seven births per week. By 2036 this is expected to decrease by an average of one birth a week to 357 births per year.
Other than English, the most common languages spoken are Macedonian, Italian and Greek. The most common countries of birth other than Australia include India, Italy and Republic of North Macedonia.
In 2021 there were 8,304 dwellings, with 58% of households consisting of couples with children.
Professionals make up 19% of workers in South Morang, with clerical and administrative workers making up 15.5%. More residents work in hospitals and retail than any other industry.
In South Morang, 21% of residents attend primary, secondary or pre-school. This compares with an average 16% across the greater Melbourne area.
About 70% of households have access to two or more vehicles with residents more likely to drive a car to work, compared with an average 74% across Melbourne's broader population.
Planning and development
The South Morang Local Structure Plan (1997) guides development within the area, but can be subject to change.
Following are extracts from the full development plans. To request the complete plans, or for more information, contact us on 03 9217 2346.
Council is advocating to the Victorian Government to invest in a civic precinct at Ferres Boulevard. The precinct would include:
- Magistrates’ Court
- Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
- Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal
- County Court
- Victoria Police
- Community Correctional Services
- Social services, non-government agencies, businesses and residential development.
Precinct Structure Plans (PSP) are high-level master plans for whole communities.
They lay out roads, retail hubs, schools, parks, housing, employment, connections to transport and address biodiversity, cultural heritage, infrastructure provision and funding through the development contributions plan.
The Victorian Government’s Metropolitan Planning Authority, in partnership with Council, has prepared the Quarry Hills Precinct Structure Plan.
See the location of these new developments on our interactive map
The former Epping line was extended from South Morang to Mernda, with trains running on the 8 km rail line from August 2018. It is now known as the Mernda line.
The extension includes three new stations.
- Middle Gorge station on Williamsons Road, South Morang
- Hawkstowe station on Hawkstowe Parade, South Morang
- Mernda station on Bridge Inn Road, Mernda.
There are new walking and cycling paths linking the three stations.
For more information about the project visit bigbuild.vic.gov.au
Council is advocating to the state government for funding to complete Findon Road between Williamsons Road and Gorge Road. This is aimed at easing current traffic congestion and dangerous traffic conditions.
Findon Road is the only planned main east-west arterial road north of the Metropolitan Ring Road.
Council is seeking state government funding to extend the number 86 tram line from RMIT University, Bundoora, to the South Morang transport hub and then through The Lakes Boulevard to join with Plenty Road.
Council is advocating for the state government to duplicate Plenty Road from Riverdale Boulevard to Bridge Inn Road and install traffic lights at Plenty Road and Bridge Inn Road, Mernda.
Read more about our current advocacy priorities
- Plenty Valley Town Centre
- South Morang Station
- Quarry Hills Regional Parkland
- Mill Park Lakes meeting space
- Riverside Community Activity Centre
- Mill Park Lakes Recreation Reserve
- Hawkstowe Recreation Reserve
- Marymede Catholic College
- Proposed Mill Park Lakes East Primary School
- Farm Vigano
- Plenty Gorge Parklands
- City of Whittlesea Council Offices
- Mill Park Lakes Maternal and Child Health Centre