Diamond Valley Shire
Diamond Valley Shire (1964-94) was created on 30 September 1964, by severance of the north riding from Heidelberg city. It lay between the Diamond Creek and the Plenty River, extending from Whittlesea Shire to Heidelberg on its southern boundary. Its area was 74 sq km of which 6.9% was public open space.
Population density was greatest at the southern end of the shire, in Bundoora, Watsonia and Greensborough. Diamond Creek township, further north, had rural surrounds. The Council's administrative centre was in Greensborough. Median house prices in the shire in 1991 were 9.8% above the metropolitan average, and median flat prices 13.5%.
On 15 December 1994, the shire's northern part was amalgamated with most of Eltham Shire and part of Whittlesea city to form Nillumbik Shire. Nillumbik was the name of the Parish and at one time the name of Diamond Creek. The southern part of the shire was amalgamated with Heidelberg city and part of Eltham Shire to form Banyule city.
Diamond Valley's census populations were:
| Census date | Population |
|---|---|
| 1966 | 22,999 |
| 1971 | 36,245 |
| 1976 | 44,499 |
| 1981 | 51,900 |
| 1986 | 57,000 |
| 1991 | 63,900 |
Further Reading
Dianne Edwards, The Diamond Valley story, Shire of Diamond Valley, 1994
Bundoora, Diamond Creek, Greensborough, Plenty, St Helena, Watsonia and Yarrambat entries
