Pakenham, Victoria

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Pakenham is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is about 53 kilometres southeast of Melbourne’s city centre and is the largest town in the Shire of Cardinia. More families have moved there in recent years, with new housing estates such as Lakeside, Heritage Springs and Cardinia Lakes. The 2021 census recorded 54,118 people.

Pakenham sits on traditional Boon Wurrung country, part of the Kulin nation. The suburb was named after British Major General Sir Edward Pakenham, who died in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

Transport and roads
- Pakenham is on the Melbourne–Gippsland railway line. East Pakenham marks the end of the suburban electric line, while V/Line trains continue to Gippsland.
- There are three train stations in the area: Pakenham, Cardinia Road (opened in 2012) and East Pakenham (opened in 2024).
- The Princes Highway runs through Pakenham and the Pakenham Bypass helps traffic flow between Melbourne and Gippsland.

Amenities and services
- Cardinia LiFE is the main aquatic and fitness centre, with an indoor pool, gym and studios. There is also an outdoor pool.
- The Pakenham Regional Tennis Centre has 18 floodlit courts.
- The Cardinia Community Garden and a local community centre are popular community spaces.
- Pakenham Central Marketplace is a major shopping centre with many stores and services.

Education
- Public primary schools: Pakenham Springs, Pakenham Consolidated, Pakenham Hills, Pakenham Lakeside, John Henry, and Edenbrook Secondary College.
- Public secondary schools: Pakenham Secondary College.
- Private schools include Beaconhills College (Valley Campus), Chairo Christian School (Pakenham Campus), Lakeside College, and St Patrick’s Catholic Primary.

Media
- Local newspapers: The Pakenham-Berwick Gazette (weekly) and The Pakenham News (free delivery weekly).

Sports and recreation
- Pakenham has many sports clubs, including AFL, rugby league, cricket, basketball, tennis and more.
- The area hosts the Pakenham Racing Club and other racing events.
- A motor sports precinct project, Cardinia Motor Recreation and Education Park, was approved in 2019.

Community issues
- Since 2007, residents have raised concerns about a strong smell linked to a nearby waste facility. The related site has since closed.
- As the town grows, some residents have protested against rapid urban expansion and the loss of green farmland.

Overall, Pakenham is a fast-growing, family-friendly town with good housing, shopping, schools and sports facilities, while balancing community concerns about development and environment.