Our Region
The Southern Metropolitan Region (SMR) is a diverse and expansive area that covers 10 local government areas (see image below), including suburbs from South Melbourne to the Mornington Peninsula and east to Casey and Cardinia. The SMR covers an area of 2,888 square kilometres, with approximately 1.4 million people, representing about one-quarter of the state’s total population. Of this, 689,859 are female and 671,289 are male.
This wide-ranging population and geographical area consists of a diverse range of socio-economic statuses (SES) and ethnicities with a presence of several minority groups. To the south of the region, affluent and wealthy areas can be found while the south east reveals some of the most economically marginalised areas within Victoria. Further inland, the growth corridors of Casey1 and Cardinia2 reveal a rapid population growth.
The SMR is home to a wide range of minority groups. These include individuals from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; people with a disability and their carers; and a large proportion of LGBTIQA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual, and plus which includes other diverse sexual and gender identities) people. As groups and individuals that have experienced marginalisation and at times exclusion, it is important to acknowledge the impact of these experiences on health and wellbeing.
Contrasting demographics highlight diverse needs amongst various municipalities. These differences can be seen in the types of priorities and issues found through service mapping and consultation with regional bodies from within the SMR.
Notes:
- The City of Casey is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions. Casey is the third fastest growing municipality in Victoria, behind Wyndham and Whittlesea and the eighth fastest growing municipality in Australia. https://www.casey.vic.gov.au/building-planning/strategic-planning/growth-areas[↩]
- In 2014/15, the booming growth corridor expanded by close to 4000 new residents, according to ABS statistics.[↩]