Laverton is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 km south-west of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the Cities of Hobsons Bay and Wyndhamlocal government areas. Laverton recorded a population of 4,915 at the 2016 Census. Laverton is known for being a culturally diverse suburb that is becoming increasingly attractive to young working families that appreciate the generous land sizes, low property prices and access to many forms of public transport and freeways. Recent travel time surveys have shown that time savings of up to 50 minutes can be achieved for commuters to the city when compared to travelling from Point Cook. Laverton is home to the Melbourne Ballpark state baseball stadium, which hosts several national events each year, including home games of the Melbourne aces who compete in the Australian Baseball League. Laverton is connected to the Werribee railway line at Laverton station and Aircraft station. Laverton is serviced by a network of primary and secondary state arterial roads, including major arterials such as the Princes Freeway, where there is an entry ramp via Point Cook Road. Replacement of the railway crossing with a bridge was finished in 2019.
History
Laverton's history starts in 1886, when sale of land in the suburb was promoted by Staples Wise and Company. The first station to be opened beyond Newport on the way to Geelong was Laverton Station, in the same year. Laverton Post Office opened on 9 April 1888. Today Aircraft station is nearby, named from the Williams RAAF base, opened in 1921, seven years after a base was established at Point Cook. In the 1950s a second primary school was built in Laverton, having over 900 students in 1966. Two more primary schools and a high school were established around this time. There is a police station near Laverton railway station.
Demographics
In the 2011 census the population of Laverton was 4,065, approximately 47.4% female and 52.6% male. The median/average age of the people in Laverton is 31 years of age. 47.1% of people living in the suburb of Laverton were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were 14.0% India, 4.7% Burma, 2.6% Philippines, 2.4% New Zealand, 2.4% England, 2.3% Thailand, 1.6% China, 1.5% Vietnam, 0.8% Scotland, 0.5% Nepal, 0.5% Cambodia, 0.5% Sudan, 0.5% Italy, 0.5% Ethiopia. 51.7% of people living in Laverton speak English only. The other top languages spoken are 12.7% Other, 7.9% Punjabi, 5.5% Language spoken at home not stated, 2.8% Hindi, 1.9% Arabic, 1.8% Other, 1.8% Vietnamese, 1.4% Mandarin, 1.3% Spanish. The religious makeup of Laverton is 22.8% Catholic, 17.9% No religion, 8.5% Anglican, 8.3% Religious affiliation not stated, 7.7% Other Religious Groups, 7.6% Baptist, 6.8% Hinduism, 3.7% Islam, 3.2% Buddhism, 2.8% Eastern Orthodox.
Transport
Train
Laverton is home to 2 train stations, Aircraft Station and Laverton Station, both of which are serviced by trains on the Werribee railway line.
Bus
Route 400: Sunshine Station to Laverton Station Route 411: Laverton Station to Footscray Route 412: Laverton Station to Footscray Route 414: Laverton Station to Footscray Route 415: Laverton Station to Williamstown Route 417: Laverton Station to Laverton Station Route 496: Laverton Station to Sanctuary Lakes Route 498: Laverton Station to Hoppers Crossing Station Route 903: Altona to Mordialloc
Laverton was the home to RAAF Base Laverton. The base is no longer used for operational flying. In 2008 the base became part of the new suburb of Williams Landing. For administrative purposes it is now merged with the former RAAF Base Point Cook as RAAF Base Williams. Point Cook is home to the RAAF Museum, where visitors can see many different types of historical RAAF aircraft. RAAF Williams is also home to the Laverton depot of the Australian Army Reserves 8/7 Battalion of the Royal Victorian Regiment.
Scouts
Laverton is home to the 1st Laverton Air Scout group which began in approximately 1952. In the past, it was an active 'Air Scout' Group given the local RAAF base. The group currently has Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts. It meets in a hall on railway land near the Laverton Railway Station. This hall is also used by local sports clubs and gets hired out for parties. Laverton also has the 2nd Laverton Scout group, this group includes gardening for children as part of it activities.
Sport
The suburb has an Australian rules football team competing in the Western Region Football League. The Laverton Cricket Club is also based at Laverton Park. It currently has five senior teams and a large number of junior sides. Golfers play at the course of the RAAF Williams Golf Club. A skate park, based at McCormick Park, caters to skaters and bmx riders.
