City of Moonee Valley

City of Moonee Valley
Victoria
Location within Melbourne metropolitan area, on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country.
Population127,883 (2018)[1]
 • Density2,970/km2 (7,700/sq mi)
EstablishedDecember 1994
Area43 km2 (16.6 sq mi)[1]
MayorCr Ava Adams
Council seatMoonee Ponds
RegionGreater Melbourne
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Maribyrnong
WebsiteCity of Moonee Valley
LGAs around City of Moonee Valley:
Brimbank Merri-bek Merri-bek
Brimbank City of Moonee Valley Merri-bek
Brimbank Maribyrnong Melbourne

The City of Moonee Valley is a local government area located within the metropolitan area of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country. It comprises the inner north-western suburbs between 3 and 13 kilometres from the Melbourne city centre. In 2023, the City of Moonee Valley Estimated Resident Population was 126,486, with a population density of 2,935 persons per square km, based on the 2023 Census.

History

The original logo

Moonee Valley was formed in December 1994 after the merger of the City of Essendon and eastern parts of the City of Keilor.

The original council logo from 1994 was replaced in February 2010.[2]

Exchange prefixes in the city are 937x, 837x, 933x or 833x (the latter left over from the old City of Keilor).

Features

The Moonee Valley is a culturally diverse region with a substantial residential population and various commercial set-ups and industries. It comprises the Moonee Valley Racecourse, Essendon Airport and has several shopping precincts, restaurants, parks and offices. It is well connected and easily accessible through trams and the Craigieburn train line. It is also a thriving business centre, with close to 10,000 businesses operating in the region.[3]

Council

Wards

Prior to the 2024 Council Elections, The City of Moonee Valley had three wards: Buckley, Myrnong and Rose Hill.[4]

Buckley Ward comprises Essendon Fields, Essendon North, Strathmore, Aberfeldie, most of Essendon and Strathmore Heights, and parts of Moonee Ponds and Essendon West.[4]

Myrnong Ward comprises Ascot Vale, Flemington, Travancore, most of Moonee Ponds and part of Essendon.[4]

Rose Hill Ward comprises Avondale Heights, Keilor East, Airport West, Niddrie, most of Essendon West and part of Strathmore Heights.[4]

At the 2024 Council Elections, nine wards were established with each ward electing once councillor each.[5] The following wards were established;

  • Airport Ward
  • Buckley Ward
  • Canning Ward
  • Fairbairn Ward
  • Milleara Ward
  • Myrnong Ward
  • Queens Park Ward
  • Steele Creek Ward
  • Woodlands Ward

Current composition

Councillors are elected from nine single member wards. The current council was elected in October 2024, its composition is:[6]

Ward Councillor
Airport Ward Hamish Jones
Buckley Ward John Barnes
Canning Ward Paula Theocharides
Fairbairn Ward Phil Burn
Milleara Ward John Sipek
Myrnong Ward Rose Iser
Queens Park Ward Ava Adams
Steele Creek Ward Samantha Byrne
Woodlands Ward Fran Cosgriff

Mayors

The current mayor is Ava Adams and the Deputy Mayor is Fran Cosgriff. They were elected by council in October 2024 and will serve the 2024/25 year.

Past councillors

2008−2024 (three wards)

Buckley Ward[a]

Year Councillor Party Councillor Party Councillor Party
2008   Jan Chantry Labor   Paul Giuliano Independent   Narelle Sharpe Independent
2012
2016   Rebecca Gauci Maurici Liberal   Richard Lawrence Independent
2020   Cam Nation Independent   Ava Adams Independent
2024   Jessica O'Neil Independent

Myrnong Ward[b]

Year Councillor Party Councillor Party Councillor Party
2008   Jim Cusack Labor   Rose Iser Greens   James Rankin Independent
2011   Miriam Gillis Independent
2012   Nicole Marshall Labor   Cam Nation Liberal
2014   No East West Link
2015   Independent
2016
2020   Katrina Hodgson Labor   Rose Iser Independent   Jacob Bettio Independent
2024   Labor

Rose Hill Ward[c]

Year Councillor Party Councillor Party Councillor Party
2008   John Sipek Labor   Shirley Cornish Labor   Ange Kenos Independent
2012   Andra Surace Independent
2016   Independent
2016   Samantha Byrne Independent
2020   Pierce Tyson Labor

Libraries

The City of Moonee Valley has five libraries:[8]

  • Ascot Vale Library
  • Avondale Heights Library and Learning Centre
  • Flemington Library
  • Niddrie Library
  • Sam Merrifield Library (Moonee Ponds)[9]

The libraries offer uncommon services such as a seed library, where customers can take home seeds to grow plants or flowers.[10] In 2024, Moonee Valley Libraries removed overdue fines for late return of items. The change was made to remove a potential barrier of people using the library services.[8]

Townships and localities

At the 2021 census, the city had a population of 121,851 up from 116,671 at the 2016 census.[11]

Population
Locality 2016 2021
Aberfeldie 3,897 3,925
Airport West 7,564 8,173
Ascot Vale 14,750 15,197
Avondale Heights 11,633 12,388
Essendon 20,596 21,240
Essendon Fields 0 13
Essendon North 2,987 3,071
Essendon West 1,439 1,559
Flemington^ 7,719 7,025
Keilor East^ 14,514 15,078
Moonee Ponds 14,250 16,224
Niddrie 5,479 5,901
Strathmore 8,419 8,980
Strathmore Heights 1,004 1,047
Travancore 2,480 2,116

^ - Territory divided with another LGA

[12]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Known as Central Ward until 2012.[7]
  2. ^ Known as South Ward until 2012.[7]
  3. ^ Known as West Ward until 2012.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b "3218.0 – Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18: Population Estimates by Local Government Area (ASGS 2018), 2017 to 2018". Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019. Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018.
  2. ^ "Moonee Valley City Council - Moonee Valley Logo". www.mvcc.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 16 June 2010. [dead link‍]
  3. ^ "Economy Profile". Economy Profile.
  4. ^ a b c d "Moonee Valley City Council profile". Victorian Electoral Commission. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Electoral Structure Review". City of Moonee Valley. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Moonee Valley City Council election". Victorian Public Notices. 12 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Results for Moonee Valley City Council Elections 2008". Victorian Electoral Commission.
  8. ^ a b "New fine-free chapter for Moonee Valley libraries". Australian Seniors News. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Locations & Hours". Moonee Valley Libraries. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  10. ^ Webb, Carolyn (10 January 2021). "'It's a beautiful scheme': Seed libraries sprout in suburbs and towns". The Age. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Census | Australian Bureau of Statistics". www.abs.gov.au. 11 January 2023.
  12. ^ "History - Moonee Valley City Council". mvcc.vic.gov.au. Moonee Valley City Council. Retrieved 3 July 2024.

37°46′S 144°55′E / 37.767°S 144.917°E / -37.767; 144.917