Tarneit is a western suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, located 25 kilometres from Melbourne CBD within the City of Wyndham local government area. It is adjacent to the emerging suburb of Truganina to the east, and established suburbs of Hoppers Crossing and Werribee to the south. Settlement of the area dates to the 1830s when Tarneit was used as agricultural grazing land. Tarneit was named when it was surveyed in 1839–1840 and comes from the Wathaurong word for the colour ‘white’.
Tarneit is one of the fastest growing suburbs in outer Melbourne with a current population of 49,780 (2020) expected to increase by 164%, to 131,166 by 2041. The Tarneit activity centre is classified as a ‘Major Activity Centre’ in Plan Melbourne, with its purpose to fulfil and service anchor retail, services and businesses needs of the Tarneit community.
Our vision is for a revitalised Tarneit that's emerging, cherished by locals for its active public spaces, vibrant civic heart and expanding business ecosystem.
You can read more about our vision for Tarneit, and our key objectives to deliver it, below.
Tarneit Revitalisation Board
Established in 2021, the Board provides a local voice to the Victorian Government's Suburban Revitalisation program, working with communities to identify opportunities for locally-led projects to help Tarneit thrive.
Questions, ideas and feedback for the Board are encouraged and welcome. You can get in touch with the Board by emailing suburban.revitalisation@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
Dylan Wight is the current local Member of Parliament for the electorate of Tarneit. He is an experienced political and community activist with a passion for delivering the very best for his local community. As a proud father of two, Dylan is committed to working for local families like his own.
A growing suburb like Tarneit presents its own challenges and Dylan is looking forward to working with the Council and local community to ensure we have access to the very best facilities and infrastructure. Dylan takes great pride in our multicultural society, heritages and histories and looks forward to building on our fantastic sense of community.
Harrison Ward Councillor Susan McIntyre was elected to Council in 2020. Cr McIntyre was elected Mayor for the current 2022/23 term.
Cr McIntyre is a Point Cook resident and has been an active member of the community since coming to Australia with her family in 2011. In the UK, she qualified as a solicitor and worked in the retail sector for over 18 years focussing primarily on Human Resources.
As a Wyndham resident, she has been actively involved with many community projects and groups, including Christmas at the Lakes, Point Cook Pop-Up Park, Palmers Road Sound Wall, Neighbourhood Watch Wyndham (Secretary), Neighbourhood Watch Point Cook Central (Chair), Point Cook Action Group, Point Cook Anti-Graffiti Group, and Point Cook Open Spaces.
Cr McIntyre is Council’s Community Safety portfolio holder, which is leading efforts to improve the safety of people in their homes and neighbourhoods by exploring, implementing and advocating for programs to intervene or prevent crime, raise community safety awareness and improve perceptions of safety.
Stephen Wall is an experienced Local Government CEO, with over twenty years in leadership roles at Council in Victoria and NSW. Stephen was appointed Wyndham CEO in 2021 after serving as CEO at neighbouring Maribyrnong and prior to that Surf Coast Council. Stephen is looking forward to working with Councillors on the challenges of a growth city like Wyndham over the years ahead.
Michael Lim is a Western Metropolitan Partnership member and is a local westie. Michael's work focuses on partnering with local young people with diverse lived experiences to design and develop solutions to complex social challenges.
Creative Customer Centric Event Stylist for all Occasions known by Glitz Events and Owner Operator of Little Growling Cafes in Wyndham.
Maree is Managing Director at Greater Western Water, appointed 1 July 2022.
Maree was previously appointed Managing Director of City West Water in April 2020 and was appointed Acting Managing Director in November 2019. Prior to this Maree was an executive with City West Water, leading the delivery of water services to over one million Melbournians across the Melbourne CBD, inner suburbs and the growing western region, as well as the delivery of major new assets vital for growth, urban renewal and government infrastructure.
She brings a passion to lead culture, safety and business transformation in order to deliver exceptional outcomes for customers and the communities we service. Maree combines her water sector experience with a diverse and commercial driven background, and her leadership was also recognized by her inclusion as IPAA Top 50 Women in Public Sector (Victoria) 2018.
Maree holds MBA (Prof), B. Eng (Hons) (Chem), B.Comm
Tonya is the President of Pasifika Community of Australia Inc, an organisation she co-founded. Her passion for community services sees her work in partnership with organisations such as Vic Pol Westgate Proactive Unit, Vic SES, Fire Rescue Victoria Parks Victoria, Department of Fisheries, Maritime Safety Victoria and Tallship Enterprise.
Tonya is an Interpreter, with experience working as a translator in the Supreme Court and across various government departments. She migrated to Australia in 1988 and currently lives and works in Wyndham.
Nadia Bettio has been working as an educator for 32 years and is the Principal at Tarneit Rise Primary School. Previously Nadia was the Principal at Cambridge Primary School in Hoppers Crossing and at Delacombe Primary School, in Ballarat.
Nadia is passionate about learning and improving outcomes for all children, particularly those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her Principal Research project in 2013 explored what Principals can do to improve outcomes in socially disadvantaged schools.
As Chair of the Wyndham Network, Nadia is passionate about leading systemic change. Nadia engages in regular professional learning, individually and alongside her staff.
Our vision for Tarneit
A revitalised Tarneit is emerging, cherished by locals for its active public spaces, vibrant civic heart and expanding business ecosystem.
You can download a copy of our vision statement in PDF or accessible Word formats.
Our aspirations and objectives in revitalising Tarneit
Objectives
- Entice community life into the streets & public spaces through enhanced public space amenity, street art and cultural events
- Establish Tarneit as a family & food destination to attract visitation from across Melbourne
- Integrate Aboriginal and multicultural expression within public spaces to reinforce identity
- Enhance active transport options and wayfinding that connect public spaces to where people live
Objectives
- Facilitate pop-up parks, activated through regular events, for social connections & entertainment
- Grow active citizenship and volunteerism through placemaking capacity building and funding support
Objectives
- Inspire and attract participation in a new Tarneit business network to enhance local collaboration and procurement
- Enhance Tarneit’s profile through place branding, social media and curated place management to attract visitation
- Grow ‘jobs ready’ skills for youth and retain employment talent within Tarneit
Projects funded in Tarneit
This project involves a minor upgrade to a local park that will transform it into a more valuable community amenity. The project will be co-designed with the local community to ensure it meets the community’s needs.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $150,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Wyndham City Council.
Rise Up (Pasifika Youth Events) is a large-scale showcase of the Pacific arts and culture through dance, fashion, music and food. Three events will be delivered 2023 including a Pasifika showcase at the Firefly Market event.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $200,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in late 2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with City of Wyndham and Pasifika Community of Australia.
This project seeks to continue the successful Meet Me in Tarneit series by delivering a program of music, movies, cultural events, and a placemaker-in-residence role contribution.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $100,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Wyndham City Council.
This is the continuation of the Active Tarneit program funded in 2021-22 and includes a suite of regular community fitness, sport and recreation activities across Tarneit, targeting the least active members of Tarneit.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $110,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Wyndham City Council and Reclink.
The Tarneit Business Expo will showcase the businesses of Tarneit and foster business connections through a series of networking events.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $70,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Tarneit Business Association and Wyndham City Council.
This project builds on the very successful inaugural Firefly Market conducted in 2022 that attracted in excess of 16,000 people.
It includes the Firefly Major Market and five monthly Night Markets events to celebrate multi-cultural Tarneit.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $250,000 in funding for the project, which is anticipated to be completed in mid-2023. The project is being delivered in partnership with Wyndham City Council.
Projects funded in Tarneit
Sunset Views Boulevard is a key pedestrian link that connects Tarneit train station and local community facilities, residential areas and the local shopping centre.
This project will see the installation of new pedestrian lighting, tree plantings and artistically designed linear shelter structures. These works will create shade, increase pedestrian safety and beautify this central point in the community.
The Suburban Revitalisation program is providing $330,000 in funding for the project and it is anticipated to be complete in March 2023.
This project delivered upgrades to four parks in Tarneit, with improved play spaces, new nature play areas, fitness equipment stations and seating.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $465,000 in funding for the project and it's now completed.
The project used under-utilised parkland to create a community garden with raised planter beds, open space, a barbeque, sheds and water tanks.
The community garden is a significant gathering and sharing place for the community, helps improve food security and provide healthy food options. The funding supported a range of cultural events to raise awareness of the garden and build relationships with the local Pasifika community, whose members play a vital role in distributing food at the local market.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $170,000 in funding for the project and it's now completed.
A vibrant new mural by award-winning artist George Rose now welcomes the community to the entrance of Tarneit Gardens Shopping Centre.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $35,000 in funding for the project which was completed in November 2021.
Tarneit’s four-legged residents will be able to enjoy the outdoors with their owners in a new off-leash area, complementing the revitalisation of four parks in Tarneit that’s currently underway.
The new facilities includes a 3000 sqm fenced area, agility equipment, shade and shelter, a drinking fountain with dog bowl, rocks, logs and planting to provide natural play environments and lawn irrigation and rectification works.
The off-leash area promotes exercise and social interaction for both humans and dogs and will be significant in enhancing community connections.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $62,000 in funding for the project.
Tarneit’s iconic Cowies Hill Water Tower is celebrated with the installation decorative night lighting.
In a collaboration between Wyndham City Council, Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, and contribution from community members.
Community members will have their say with consultations during the design and installation of this exciting project.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $150,000 in funding for the project.
Through engagement with local traders, the project established the Tarneit Business Association. This included establishing a governance structure, model rules, priorities, action plan, meeting schedule, digital media platform and business association activities.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $40,000 in funding for the project.
There were 11 workshops held across three community centres in Tarneit. Fifty-two families and households, reflecting 208 participants actively contributed to the project and an additional 163 people directly engaged in making artworks for the project. The residency projects and commissions further provided six additional workshops engaging 66 people, with the project resulting in a further four paid employment opportunities for local artists.
The project encouraged social connection and transformed Tarneit’s neighbourhoods into an evolving gallery space with the publishing of the Artist's Book.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $100,000 in funding for the project.
The project delivered engagement and provided coaching qualifications for 10 young leaders, facilitated social football training sessions, implemented a Youth Cup tournament with nine teams and 200 participants, provided leadership sessions, referee accreditation for eight participants and other activities.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $38,500 in funding for the project.
The project delivered a successful Firefly Pilot Event of 60+ stalls of local micro businesses, roving performers, cultural and vibrant entertainment, neon lights and art installations that provided a memorable event. The event was attended by 13,000 people.
A Hawkers Market Feasibility Study was completed and found that through placemaking initiatives and semi-permanent market space could strengthen the centre of Tarneit while it continues in this transition period of growth.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $160,000 in funding for the project.
Tarneit residents enjoyed eight local outdoor music and movie sessions.
The events created vibrant activities around Tarneit and helped build social connections. Wayfinding and engagement was also completed.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $485,000 in funding for the project and it is now complete.
The project delivered a suite of community fitness, sport and recreation activities tailored to meet the needs of the Tarneit community.
A total of 4,698 participant attendances were recorded across 253 individual sessions. Two new before and after school programs were launched and an Active Tarneit promotional video was completed.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $70,000 in funding for the project and it is now complete.
The project delivered a community herb garden in a welcoming outdoor space at the Julia Gillard Library that encourages social interaction and health eating.
The Suburban Revitalisation program provided $24,000 in funding for the project that is now completed.
Page last updated: 06/03/23