suburb.guide

VIC · Mansfield Council

Merton, 3715

Current weather

10.3°CSlight rain

91% humidity · 23 km/h wind · 13.3° / 9.3° today · 21 mm rain

Desirability score

17.1/100

6705th in Australia

70% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Merton is a small locality in the Mansfield area, home to around 216 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 18 offences in 2026 with rising year-on-year trends (+157%), roughly 83.3 offences per 1,000 residents, limited but present public transport access, fewer mapped amenities than nearby suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.

Population

Population
216
Median age
53
Median household income / week
$1,091
Dwelling vacancy
45.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
75 of 166
Median monthly mortgage
$1,500
Employment rate
53.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
10 / 0 / 0

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
18
Against the person
5
Against property
11
Rate per 1,000 residents
83.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 43 residents
State safety percentile
69th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+157.1%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • A212 Non-Fv Serious Assault2
  • A231 Fv Common Assault1
  • A89 Other Dangerous Or Negligent Acts Endangering People2
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary2
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary2

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

2 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Euroa - Mansfield Rd/Maroondah Hwy
  • Euroa-Mansfield Rd/Maroondah Hwy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

37 planning-related records

2021· 16 proposals

  • August 2021

  • DEVELOPMENT OF TWENTY-SIX (26) WAREHOUSES WITH ANCILLARY OFFICES
    34-44 FREIGHT DR SOMERTON 3062Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • THE DEVELOPMENT OF A WAREHOUSE WITH ASSOCIATED OFFICES AND CARPARKING
    10 TRANSPORT DR SOMERTON 3062Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Construction of an outbuilding
    192 MERTON STRATHBOGIE ROAD MERTON 3715Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works in a Rural Zone - Shed
    530 MAROONDAH HIGHWAYNo permit required

  • June 2021

  • Farm Building Development of Land for an agricultural shed
    490 Frees RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works for the installation of 2 storage vessels associated with a Liquid Fuel Depot (tanks)
    95 HUME HWY SOMERTON 3062Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 4 LOT RE-SUBDIVISION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PS 841573J
    34-44B FREIGHT DR SOMERTON 3062Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • PRODUCER'S LICENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    2/185-193 HUME HWYPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works - outbuilding
    824 MAROONDAH HIGHWAY MERTON 3715Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN OFFICE IN ASSOCIATION WITH AN EXISTING UTILITY INSTALLATION (POWER STATION), AND CONSTRUCTION OF A CARPORT
    POWER STATION SITE SOMERTON 3062Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • DISPLAY OF BUSINESS IDENTIFICATION, ELECTRONIC AND INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGNS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ENDORSED PLANS
    124-130 SOMERTON RD SOMERTON 3062Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a building in association with agriculture within prescribed setbacks to waterways
    327 MACKLINS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • 2 LOT SUBDIVISION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PS 846983L (SPEAR REF # S171565S)
    15 BURNETT STPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • USE OF LAND AS A RESTRICTED RETAIL PREMISES (PET/FISH STORE) AND THE REDUCTION OF CAR PARKING
    1 FLEET ST SOMERTON 3062Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Resubdivision of 102 lots into two lots, and use and development of a dwelling and outbuilding on proposed Lot 1
    20 KUBEILS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOPMENT OF A WAREHOUSE TO THE REAR OF AN EXISTING WAREHOUSE AND ADDITION OF WINDOWS TO THE EXISTING WAREHOUSE
    92-96 HUME HWYPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 21 proposals

  • December 2020

  • DEVELOPMENT OF LAND FOR WAREHOUSES AND ASSOCIATED INDUSTRY USE, CREATION OF ACCESS TO A ROAD ZONE CATEGORY 1, REDUCTION IN CAR PARKING AND REMOVAL OF NATIVE VEGETATION
    75-83 HUME HWYPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Use and development of agricultural shed
    8173 MAROONDAH HIGHWAYPermit issued by the RA
  • USE OF AN EXISTING BUILDING FOR A GYM FITNESS STUDIO WITH ASSOCIATED CAFE AND ANCILLARY CHILD MINDING FACILITY
    5/144 HUME HWY SOMERTON 3062In progress

  • October 2020

  • USE OF THE LAND FOR A FACTORY, SHOWROOM AND OFFICE AND REDUCTION IN THE CAR PARKING REQUIREMENTS
    20 SOMERTON RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • BUILDINGS AND WORKS TO EXISTING AWNINGS
    37-55 FILLO DRPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOPMENT OF TRUCK PARKING FACILITY
    8 TRANSPORT DR SOMERTON 3062Lapsed
  • Development of dwelling and shed
    52 OLD STRATHBOGIE ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS TO THE EXISTING WAREHOUSE FACILITY AND DISPLAY OF MAJOR PROMOTION SIGNS
    80 STANLEY DRPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • CONSTRUCTION OF A SHED TO GARAGE AND MAINTAIN TRUCKS USED FOR ROAD TRANSPORTATION OF NON HAZARDOUS GOODS
    25 NORTHPARK DRPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • USE OF LAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF A PROPOSED TRANSFER STATION - SEPARATING WATER FROM CLEAN SOIL (SOIL TO BE REUSED, WATER PHASE TO BE SENT TO TRADEWASTE TO YARRA VALLEY WATER)
    17 BURNETT STWithdrawn
  • 2 LOT SUBDIVISION OF PS 716038H (SPEAR REF # S162314B)
    65 CLIFFORDS RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • PROPOSED EXHAUST STACKS TO THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY
    28 FREIGHT DRNo permit required

  • June 2020

  • CHANGE OF USE OF AN EXISTING WAREHOUSE TO ALLOW FOR AN UPPER LEVEL OFFICE AREA
    32 SOMERTON RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • BUILDINGS AND WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CANOPY AND AMENDED TURNING CIRCLE TO AN EXISTING WAREHOUSE.
    76-82 FILLO DRPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of a dwelling and shed
    293 MERTON-STRATHBOGIE ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Use and Development of a Dwelling in the Farming Zone (retrospective) bushfire management overlay and environmental significance overlay
    93 PENNY LANEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DISPLAY OF ADVERTISING SIGNAGE INCLUDING INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGNAGE
    24-30 HUME HWYPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • DEVELOPMENT OF BUILDING AND WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH UPPER LEVEL MEZZANINE FLOORS AND REDUCTION IN CAR PARKING REQUIREMENTS
    32 FREIGHT DRPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of land for an outbuilding
    323 MERTON-STRATHBOGIE ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • 14 LOT SUBDIVISION OF PS 812145V [SPEAR REF # S153855B]
    23 NORTHPARK DRPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • USE OF LAND AS INDOOR RECREATION FACILITY
    844-846 COOPER STPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020–2022 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bench
  • MertonBus stop
  • Parking
  • AmpolPetrol station
  • Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
  • Public toilets

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Merton G104 Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
5/10
IRSD decile (2021)
6/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
1
Parks (OSM)
1

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
17.1/100
National rank
6705th in Australia
State rank
1248th in VIC
Peer rank
#401 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#722 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
70%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • A212 Non-Fv Serious Assaultcrime2
  • A231 Fv Common Assaultcrime1
  • A89 Other Dangerous Or Negligent Acts Endangering Peoplecrime2
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglarycrime2
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglarycrime2
  • Merton G104 Bushland Reservegovernmentnature_reserve
  • 14 LOT SUBDIVISION OF PS 812145V [SPEAR REF # S153855B]planning23 NORTHPARK DRLodged 25 Feb 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 LOT SUBDIVISION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PS 846983L (SPEAR REF # S171565S)planning15 BURNETT STLodged 24 Mar 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 LOT SUBDIVISION OF PS 716038H (SPEAR REF # S162314B)planning65 CLIFFORDS RDLodged 07 Aug 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 4 LOT RE-SUBDIVISION IN ACCORDANCE WITH PS 841573Jplanning34-44B FREIGHT DR SOMERTON 3062Lodged 03 Jun 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

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