Maroondah City Council
For almost 10 years the City of Maroondah’s Maroondah 2040 community vision has provided a roadmap for the community, Council, and other levels of government to create a future that enhances the City as a great place to live, work and visit.
To help inform the development of their 2050 community vision, the City of Maroondah engaged SGS to produce a background report that captures the current and future trends, opportunities and challenges facing the City of Maroondah to the year 2050 across five focus areas:
- People and wellbeing
- Housing and neighbourhoods
- Economy and education
- Transport
- Environment.
The research found Maroondah's population is forecast to grow by 22,000 residents in the next 20 years, with implications for housing affordability and diversity. Household size is declining, and the municipality has varying levels of education and skills. Some residents, both renters and homeowners, are struggling with housing affordability and rising living costs.
The municipality has a strong economy and a well-established public transport network that would benefit from improved connections to retail and employment centres.
The City’s liveability is reflected in its leafy and green character, its strong open space network and sites of biological significance. Building its resilience to the impacts of climate change will become increasingly important.
Over the last ten years, substantial reforms have been made, such as changes in how aged care and kindergarten services are delivered. These changes have challenged local councils as they strive to balance community needs with budgetary limitations. More broadly, councils face financial pressures, with the government rate cap being a major concern.
The directions capture the need to improve social inclusion, provide accessible and affordable health and wellbeing services, deliver and advocate for diversity of housing, build the capacity of businesses and the workforce, promote an active lifestyle, and deliver sustainable infrastructure.
This research is the starting point for the Council to develop a refreshed community vision with their community.
