Plenty is a town in Victoria, Australia, 21 km north-east of Melbourne'sCentral Business District. Its local government area is the Shire of Nillumbik. At the 2016 Census, Plenty had a population of 2,364. Plenty is located within Greater Melbourne, beyond the Melbourne metropolitan areaUrban Growth Boundary. It is a semi-rural area consisting mostly of large lots, with many being several acres in size. However, increasing urbanisation is evident near the border with the suburb of Greensborough. New housing estates are being established with the population in the area set to increase, however large areas of Plenty are still relatively untouched with development limited due to being in the green wedge.
History
Plenty Post Office opened on 3 August 1923 and closed in 1979. An earlier office opened in 1853 and was replaced by Whittlesea in 1864. Plenty Primary School on Howell Road was closed in the 1990s under the Kennett Government. Plenty Cricket Club was formed in 1946 and continues to play today. The Plenty Historical Society was formed in 2001.
Main features and attractions
The main features of Plenty include the Greensborough Hockey Club and the Plenty War Memorial Parksports facilities, which is at 21 Memorial Drive. DCWFC is purely a female only Australia Rules club, with players ranging from 7 to 70 years old. The Plenty River makes up the border between Mill Park and Plenty. Known to the locals as "Blue Lake" because of the beautiful colours of the water owing to the mineral contents. Yellow Gum Park is nearby and is a popular swimming spot on hot days. The park is closed off to visitors on total fire ban days because it is considered one of the most high risk fire danger areas in Australia. Plenty Gorge Parklands conservation area within Plenty is accessible by permission only. The Plenty Views Golf Park is also located on Yan Yean Rd. Plenty Fire Station, a general store, and Plenty Hall are also within Plenty's boundaries.
Transport
The main arterial running through Plenty is Yan Yean Road. Increased pressure is being placed on this road as it is used primarily by commuters travelling between the City and new estates in Doreen and surrounds, including Laurimar. Severe congestion is experienced during peak hours and it is often difficult to enter Plenty from Memorial Drive and River Avenue heading towards the City. Three metropolitan bus routes run along Yan Yean Rd. Since October 2010 SmartBus route 901 links Plenty with Melbourne Airport, Broadmeadows, Epping, South Morang, Greensborough, Ringwood and Frankston. It runs via Yan Yean Road, stopping at the Plenty Store/Plenty Fire Station every 15 minutes, much increasing the public transport connections in this area. The nearest train stations are Diamond Creek or Greensborough, on the Hurstbridge line, and South Morang, on the Mernda line.
Sport
Plenty War Memorial Park is the main sports ground in Plenty. It is home to the Plenty Cricket Club, who play in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association. Plenty Park is also used for Australian Rules Football during winter by the Diamond Creek Women's Football Club as their training and playing venue. Plenty Tennis Club play their home games at the Tennis courts at Plenty Park. Greensborough Hockey Club play their home games, senior and junior, at the Hockey Field at Plenty Park. Plenty Knights Basketball Club, who play in the Diamond Valley Basketball Association domestic competition, are based in Plenty.
