Why a Melbourne housing estate wants to break away from neighbourhood
Residents in an exclusive Melbourne housing estate are rallying for their community to become a stand-alone suburb.
Sanctuary Lakes, in Melbourne's west, wants to secede from Point Cook, a move which real estate agents say will drive up the price of houses.
The estate is picturesque, with an 18-hole golf course designed by Greg Norman, a huge saltwater lake twice the size of Albert Park, and an eight-kilometre loop road connecting the community.
On residents' power bills, phone bills and driver's licenses, Sanctuary Lakes is named as their place of residence.
But right now, they are officially classified as living in Point Cook - which locals say is causing too much confusion.
The Wyndham Council sent out 7000 letters to Point Cook residents as part of a community consultation, offering three options of potential boundaries for the new suburb.
The consultation period closed on Wednesday but a report will not be prepared before the issue goes to a council meeting for a vote.
If successful, it won't only be more convenient for locals - it will also boost property prices.
"I think in the long term it will definitely have a positive impact," a local real estate agent said.
"It just makes sense for it to be a stand-alone suburb."
