Moving to Wollert or Mernda: A Guide for New Estate Homeowners

Wollert and Mernda are two of the fastest-growing suburbs in Melbourne’s north. Both sit about 26 kilometres from the CBD in the City of Whittlesea, and both have changed from farmland to busy family suburbs in around two decades. For many people moving there, it’s their first brand-new home: a house just handed over by the builder, in a street that may still be under construction.

Moving into a new estate isn’t quite like moving into an established street. Access, timing and even finding the address can work differently. This guide covers what new-estate homeowners in Wollert and Mernda should plan for, from handover day to the first week in the new home.

Quick answer: Book your removalist only after your handover or settlement date is confirmed, and leave a buffer in case it moves. Give the removalist your lot number as well as your street address, because new streets may not show on GPS yet. Check truck access in the estate, protect your new floors and walls, arrange electricity, gas, water and internet before moving day, and walk through the empty home to note any defects before furniture goes in.

Wollert and Mernda at a glance

Wollert (postcode 3750)

Wollert grew from a farming district into a residential growth area from the early 2000s, and new estates are still being built on its edges. Epping Road is the main north–south route, and road upgrade works in the area mean conditions can change during your move. Many residents travel south through Epping for shopping and train services on the Mernda line.

Mernda (postcode 3754)

Mernda’s population grew from 6,508 at the 2011 Census to 23,369 at the 2021 Census, across estates such as Mernda Villages, Settlers Hill, Woodland Waters and Renaissance Rise. Plenty Road is the main arterial road, and Mernda station has been the terminus of the Mernda line since passenger trains returned in August 2018.

Before you book: align your move with handover or settlement

With a new build, the date you can move in depends on the builder’s handover or your settlement, and those dates can move. To avoid paying for a removalist who has nowhere to unload:

• wait until handover or settlement is confirmed in writing before locking in a date
• leave a buffer of a day or two between key collection and moving day if you can
• check when you’ll actually have the keys, as some handovers happen late in the day
• ask your removalist about short-term storage in case the handover is delayed after you’ve moved out

If you’re selling or leaving a rental at the same time, the two dates rarely line up perfectly, so plan where your belongings will go if there’s a gap.

Make sure the removalist can find your new home

Brand-new streets often take a while to appear on navigation apps and maps. To avoid a crew circling the estate on moving day:

• give the street address and the lot number from your contract
• name the estate and the nearest main road or roundabout
• send a dropped map pin to the removalist the day before
• mention any temporary road closures or one-way construction routes you know about

Check access in the estate

Estates that are still growing bring access issues you won’t see in established streets:

• Construction traffic. Builders’ trucks, skips and tradies’ utes can take up the street, especially on weekdays.
• Narrow streets. Many estate streets are narrow, and once cars are parked on both sides a removal truck may struggle to get close.
• Unfinished driveways and footpaths. If your driveway hasn’t been poured or the nature strip is soft, the crew may need a longer carry, which takes more time.
• Weather. After rain, unsealed areas can turn to mud. Have mats or old towels ready at the front door.

Visit the street a few days before your move at the same time of day. Take photos of where a truck could park and share them with your removalist. It’s one of the easiest ways to make your moving costs in Wollert or Mernda more predictable.

Inspect the empty home before anything is moved in

Once your furniture is in, it’s much harder to tell whether a scuff or chip came from the builder or the move. Before the crew starts unloading:

• walk through every room and photograph walls, floors, benchtops and doors
• note any defects for your builder’s maintenance or defects list
• check that doors open fully and that hallways are clear of building materials

Ask your removalist to protect new floors and door frames. Fresh paint and new timber or hybrid floors mark easily. Floor runners and furniture blankets are worth asking about when you book.

Plan your rooms using the floor plan

A new home usually comes with an accurate floor plan, which is a real advantage. Use it to:

• decide where large furniture goes before moving day, so the crew can place it once
• check that large items will fit through doors, up stairs and around tight corners
• label every box with its destination room, matching the names on the plan

Our guide to preparing furniture before moving house in Mernda covers dismantling, wrapping and measuring in more detail, and the Wollert packing checklist walks through packing room by room.

Connect utilities and services early

In a new home, services sometimes need to be connected rather than simply transferred. A few weeks before you move:

• Electricity and gas: confirm a retailer account is set up from your move-in date.
• Water: check that the account is in your name from settlement.
• Internet: new developments may need a new service connected rather than an existing one transferred, so contact your provider early.
• Bins: if your council bins haven’t been delivered, contact the City of Whittlesea.
• Mail: redirect your mail and update your address with your bank, employer, insurer and VicRoads.

Things new homes often don’t have yet

New houses are often handed over without window coverings, a letterbox, a clothesline or landscaping. Pack accordingly:

• temporary blinds or sheets for bedroom windows on the first night
• a basic tool kit, power board and extension lead
• cleaning supplies, as there will be building dust
• a first-night box with bedding, toiletries, phone chargers, kettle and snacks

On moving day

1. Arrive at the new home before the truck so you can open up, check access and put down floor protection.
2. Show the crew lead around the new home and point out where large furniture goes.
3. Keep children and pets away from the driveway and entrance while the truck is being unloaded.
4. Check off large items as they come in, and note anything that needs attention before the crew leaves.

Moving from an established suburb into a new estate

Many people moving to Wollert and Mernda come from nearby established suburbs such as Epping, Thomastown, Lalor and South Morang. These are usually short local moves, so the time is mostly spent loading and unloading, not driving. Good preparation at the old home, such as boxes packed and furniture dismantled, keeps the total time down. If you’re comparing quotes, our removalist cost guide for Epping explains what affects the price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Settling into your new suburb

A new home in a growing suburb is exciting, and a well-planned move lets you enjoy it from the first night. Confirm your dates, make sure the removalist can find and reach your home, protect your new floors and walls, and connect your services early. For local help, see our removalists in Wollert and removalists in Mernda pages.