An article published in the Sunbury Leader entitled “Buyers awake to Diggers Rest potential”, (April 18, 2017 – Page 16) raises some concerns about perceptions of Diggers Rest for the future.
It does seem that many new residents are comparing future growth possibilities with those previously seen in areas like Sydenham and Taylors Lakes for example.
Whilst Diggers Rest is within the expanded Sunbury Growth Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) and has excellent connections to the Calder freeway, prospective buyers need to understand that any additional growth is limited by the UGB, Green Wedge Zones and Melbourne Airport Environs Overlays.
These constraints have been the main contributor to the township being dormant for so long prior to now.
Talk of developing infrastructure and shopping centres are all population driven and given the limited growth capacity of Diggers Rest, may not deliver the level of services anticipated or consistent with the current increase in real estate prices.
Diggers Rest is well serviced by Sunbury and Watergardens shopping centres, each only one train stop away in either direction.
It may be sometime before the population of Diggers Rest will sustain a full-line supermarket and shopping centre.
In accordance with State Government policy, any additional expansions of the UGB will need to remain sympathetic toward the curfew free operations at Melbourne Airport.