Time poor, health poor? Travel-related time poverty and resident health in a greenfield master-planned estate

Master-planned estates (MPEs) on edges of cities are a major source of new housing in Australia. Concerns about limited local services and amenities and negative impacts on resident health have contributed to changes in design of some MPEs. A master-planned estate in the southeast growth corridor of Melbourne was designed with aims for a 'healthy and engaged community'. Longitudinal research methods to evaluate outcomes included 76 interviews and a survey (568 responses) conducted at three time points over the first four years of the estate's development. Both methods included future residents and those already living at Selandra Rise to enhance insights into the impacts of residential environment. Many residents moved to the MPE from more central parts of Melbourne, attracted by the combination of a more affordable new detached home in an estate with parks, exercise opportunities and community facilities. Most residents were young working couples and few worked locally. Many spent more than two hours per day commuting and had unpredictable travel times. Residents reported prioritising home and family time over using the estate's health and wellbeing features. We conclude that provisions for health and wellbeing within the MPE are insufficient when broader locational and connectivity disadvantages are not addressed. To equitably achieve health aims, greenfield housing development needs better integrated regional planning, including efficient road and public transport, and more immediate opportunities for local employment.