The population in the fastest growing outer Melbourne suburbs will grow by more than 840,000 people in the next 15 years if current trends continue.

New Department of Transport and Planning projections suggest 54 per cent of Melbourne’s population growth will be in the Wyndham, Melton, Hume, Whittlesea, Casey, Mitchell and Cardinia areas.

Urban policy expert at SGS Economics and Planning, Patrick Fensham, says “we won’t be able to accommodate these sorts of numbers without a plan” and if the growth unfolds as predicted there will be “significant” problems.

Press PLAY below to hear an urban planner’s view on how Melbourne is predicted to grow

Mitchell Shire is expected to have the greatest growth, with the population expected to balloon to 141.2 per cent of the current level, followed by Melton, which is expected to grow by 92.8 per cent.

Mr Fensham says there’s a need for more focus on growing populations in established metropolitan areas and regional hubs which are closer to jobs, transport and services.