It covers 528 square kilometres (203.9 sq mi), and as of the 2021 census, Melton had a population of 178,960.[1]
It is governed by the Melton City Council. The seat of local government and administrative offices are located at Council headquarters in Melton, the settlement after which the city takes its name which lies at the western end of the LGA and is currently its largest urban area with a population of over 54,000.[3]
City of Melton has a rapid population growth rate, ranked 3rd fastest among LGAs in Victoria in 2010.[4] It was granted city status in 2012.
History
Civic centre
Melton was first incorporated as a district on 16 September 1862, and became a shire on 24 May 1871. Parts of the north and south ridings of the Shire of Braybrook (later City of Sunshine) were annexed to Melton as the Rockbank Riding on 24 May 1916, and this was added to in 1951. Other minor boundary adjustments with Bulla and Keilor occurred in May 1959. The Shire had a total area of 450.4 square kilometres (173.9 sq mi).[5]
In 1994, following large-scale statewide local government reform, Melton acquired the Exford district from the City of Werribee, growing to its present size.[6]
Since the early 1970s the Shire had undergone tremendous population growth and as of 2006[update], Melton was one of Victoria's fastest-growing local government areas along with neighbouring Wyndham.
After several years of community consultation to defer applying for city status until it had reached 150,000,[7][8] the council nevertheless reversed the decision and city status was granted in September, 2012.[9] The first elected Mayor under the 'City" status was Kathy Majdlik.
In the 2020 Local Government elections, Melton had its first Aboriginal Councillor elected, Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg. A proud Wiradjuri woman making history and becoming the first Aboriginal Councillor in Melbourne's Western Suburbs.[1]
Art and culture
Bush ballad "Click Go the Shears" was first published in 1891 in a local newspaper by "C.C. of Eynesbury".[10] Eynesbury was a homestead and grazing property owned by Samuel Staughton.[11]
CS Gallery is a contemporary exhibition space located at Caroline Springs Library and Learning Hub. It provides opportunities for artists and groups to exhibit and does not charge fees or commission. Melton Library and Learning Hub provides a number of hanging walls for the presentation of visual art and community exhibitions.[12]
Administration
Melton City Council officesAerial view of Melton, the main urban centre
Council
The City's area is divided into three wards, two of which elects three Councillors, the other one electing two Councillors. The Councillors elect a mayor from among the council's members.
