Caroline Springs, Victoria

Caroline Springs is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 21 km west of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Melton local government area. Caroline Springs recorded a population of 24,205 at the 2016 Census.

Caroline Springs
Melbourne, Victoria
Aerial view of Caroline Springs from the north
Caroline Springs
Coordinates37°44′42″S 144°44′24″E
Population24,205 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density4,940/km2 (12,790/sq mi)
Established1999
Postcode(s)3023
Area4.9 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Location21 km (13 mi) from Melbourne
LGA(s)City of Melton
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s)Gorton
Suburbs around Caroline Springs:
Plumpton Hillside Taylors Hill
Plumpton Caroline Springs Burnside
Rockbank Ravenhall Burnside

Caroline Springs has been developed on greenfield land since 1999 by Delfin,[2] in partnership with the original landowners. Centrally located, just north of Kororoit Creek, is the town square and main shopping centre, known as CS Square, and a man-made lake known as Lake Caroline.

At the time of development, it was one of Melbourne's fastest growing suburbs and Delfin anticipated the population to be in excess of 25,000 people by 2015.[3]

The Caroline Springs Post Office opened on 8 August 2005.[4]

Developments

A$40 million five-star hotel owned by the Mercure Hotels group opened in August 2009. A new hotel & entertainment complex named WestWaters on the edge of Lake Caroline is now open.

Lendlease's Development Application for a $45 million expansion of CS Square has been approved by the City of Melton.

The proposed 6,500sqm development will see the addition of a Woolworths supermarket, large format discount store, car wash, more than ten specialty stores and expanded amenities with new parents' room.

Flora and fauna
Main article: Kororoit Creek Trail
Kororoit Creek

Kororoit Creek runs through the centre of the suburb. The creek has been home to healthy populations of native animals for thousands of years, including the Tiger snake, the Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard, the Common snakeneck turtle, the Eastern brown snake and Kangaroos. Unfortunately due to development over the past 15 years, these species are now rarely seen in the area.

Due to development of large lakes and wetlands, species of frogs have reclaimed the area. The Common Eastern Froglet, the Eastern Banjo Frog and even the now endangered Growling Grass Frog have been seen and heard in the new lakes, wetlands and in Kororoit Creek. Many species of birds are also returning to the creeks and lakes. There are also a few kangaroos, several located in the endangered grassland bordered by Holland Way and College Street. These can usually be seen from the steel board walk or 4m viewing platform.

It is expected that the Kororoit Creek Trail will eventually be linked up to Caroline Springs providing cyclists with an off-road path all the way to Sunshine and onto the Melbourne CBD.

Transport

The suburb's main form of transport is the car and is a largely car-dependent community. It was planned under the concepts of street hierarchy and has just one main arterial, Caroline Springs Boulevard, which feeds into both the Deer Park Bypass and the Western Highway in the south and connects to Melbourne via either the Western Ring Road or the Princes Highway.

Caroline Springs railway station was one of a number of new train stations proposed under the 2008 Victorian Transport Plan. The station opened in January 2017.[5]

Sport

Caroline Springs is currently represented in a number of local and regional sports.

Caroline Springs Hockey Club is one of the newest members in the local sports community. Founded in 2016, "The Springers" compete in the Hockey Victoria Pennant and Metro competitions.[6]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Caroline Springs (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  2. http://www.delfincarolinesprings.com.au/
  3. Delfin Lend Lease > Our Communities > Victoria > Caroline Springs
  4. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Retrieved 11 April 2008.
  5. "New station for Caroline Springs". May 2014. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  6. http://www.starweekly.com.au/sports/new-hockey-club-in-caroline-springs/
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