The Great Regional Victorian Migration
Why are Melburnians moving further and further out of the city?
The 2021 census results show more and more Melburnians have been resettling in regional Victoria than ever before.
The ‘melburnification’ of regional Victoria is fast spreading and locals are loving it.
“Growth is always good”, Manager of Woodend’s Holgate Brewhouse said.
From Brunswick esque coffee shops to hipster breweries, new businesses are popping up all over and with them a new culture to what were once historic mining towns.
Areas like Castlemaine are being dubbed “north Northcote”, with businesses like The Mill opening in 2018, which has become a place for vibrant food and artisan clothing.
New resident to Castlemaine Suzanne, 54 said, “choosing Castlemaine was easy, it’s on the train line, and it’s like a little slice of the Melbourne we know and love.”
With new faces, change has come too, Woodend residents Barry and Judy moved into the town 2 years ago and have already seen a change. “There’s lots of trendy people”, Barry said.
Woodend has seen the development plans for a new IGA, which opened last month, employing 100 residents. The store manager said the produce however will aim to primarily be locally provided unlike the supermarkets in big cities.
Alongside new businesses opening, many historical businesses have seen a new splash of paint in the past few years to keep up with the Melbourne influence.
Holgate Brewhouse, completed renovations and expansions in 2019, following a crowdfunding campaign which raised upwards of $700,000 in crowdfunding, along with the largest state government tourism grant for a private business.
Similarly, the historical Theatre Royal in Castlemaine has had a facelift in the past 5 years, following a change in ownership in 2016. The 1858 building has been through many phases, and in 2020 saw the opening of Love Shack Brewing co., run by relocated Melbourne duo Conna Mallet and Harrison Cox. Situated in out the back of the theatre it seats 300 in the new beer garden.
Hipster bottle shop Lola has also recently opened fitting perfectly in with the new image.
The influx of new life to areas like Castlemaine and Woodend just over an hour outside Melbourne has been enjoyed by locals.
Louise moved 6 years ago, choosing Castlemaine for its proximity for work at the newly renovated Bendigo hospital.
“I don’t want to live in a city that’s why I moved to the country”.
Rural Councils Victoria’s’ chair, Mary-Ann Brown said, “As a result of COVID, many rural areas are finally experiencing some population growth.”
However, with growth there has been numerous calls for infrastructure investments from the state and federal governments to accommodate the huge influx of new residents.
“The Rural Councils Victoria Housing Blueprint shows that we need 87,400 new homes in the next 15 years right across rural Victoria.’”
Which doesn’t even take into consideration the recent surge in population, following 2021’s largest on record movement of 19,700.
The state budget released in May of this year is said to invest 5.7million in regional Victoria, however rural council Victoria has called them out for failing to consider areas outside of Geelong, Bendigo and Ballart, where most of the focus is said to be going.
“Once again, a state budget has failed to address this issue or provide meaningful financial support to Rural Councils and the communities they serve.” Brown said.
However, these financial issues wont stop the influx of Melburnians moving to these little slices of home for half the price.
“The affordability to give my kids the space I never could have in Melbourne was half my reason for moving.” Kyneton resident Ed Irons said.
