Moorabbin's housing in numbers
At the 2021 Census, Moorabbin had 6,287 residents. Separate houses made up 76.7% of occupied dwellings, second only to Beaumaris among the suburbs we cover. Semi-detached homes were 8.7% and flats 14.3%. Around 29.6% of households owned outright, 38.4% had a mortgage and 28.7% rented.
The housing stock is distinctive. Most homes are three-bedroom red or cream brick detached houses built between the 1940s and the 1970s, with villa units and townhouses added more recently. Those post-war homes typically came with a single driveway beside the house, a concrete path to the front door and a rear patio or clothesline area, much of it poured at the same time as the house.
A long history under several names
Moorabbin's name is believed to come from an Aboriginal word, moorooboon, meaning mother's milk. European settlers arrived in 1846. The local post office opened in 1857 as South Brighton, became Brighton South around 1886 and was renamed Moorabbin in 1909, a reminder of how closely the area was tied to Brighton in its early days. When the former City of Moorabbin was merged into the larger City of Kingston in 1994, the seat of local government moved to Cheltenham. Moorabbin Oval on Linton Street was the St Kilda Football Club's home ground for decades, and the club has returned there for training.
Kingston council and crossovers
Moorabbin is in the City of Kingston, so crossover work follows Kingston's rules rather than Bayside's. A Vehicle Crossing Permit is needed to construct a new crossing, alter an existing one, repair or replace it, or relocate or remove a redundant one. A Road Opening Permit covers digging in the road reserve, including the nature strip, footpath and kerb, but if both are needed, only the Vehicle Crossing Permit is applied for. Once approved, the permit is active for 12 months or until the work is completed.
Two Kingston rules shape many Moorabbin jobs:
- One crossing per property. Only one vehicle crossing is generally permitted per property, with a second considered only in exceptional circumstances.
- Pre-pour inspection. All formwork for concrete reinstatement works must be inspected by a council field officer before the pour, booked for a morning slot with at least two business days' notice. Moorabbin falls in Kingston's northern inspection area.
Kingston also notes that the property owner is responsible for constructing and maintaining their vehicle crossing. Crossovers on major arterial roads may need planning permit approval from the state's Department of Transport and Planning. See our vehicle crossovers page.
Replacing original post-war driveways
The most common Moorabbin concrete job is replacing a driveway that has served since the house was built. Typical problems include:
- thin, unreinforced concrete cracked into loose panels
- sunken sections near the garage or carport where water has pooled for decades
- lifting from tree roots, often from mature garden trees planted when the house was new
- a narrow single width that no longer suits two cars
- a crossover that is cracked or too narrow for modern vehicles
Replacement is the chance to rebuild the base, add drainage and choose a modern finish. Under Kingston rules, replacing the crossover needs a permit and pre-pour inspection, so it is planned together with the driveway. See driveway removal and replacement.
Ground conditions
Moorabbin is further inland than the coastal Bayside suburbs, and clay soils become more common in this part of Melbourne, though conditions vary from block to block. Reactive clay moves with seasonal moisture changes, which is a common reason old, unreinforced driveways crack. A new driveway with a well-compacted base, appropriate reinforcement and properly spaced control joints handles that movement far better. For structural slabs, the soil report and engineer's design decide the footings. See concrete slabs.
Villa units and redevelopment
Since the 1970s, many Moorabbin blocks have been redeveloped into villa units and, more recently, townhouses. These properties often share a long common driveway running down the side of the block to several garages. Shared driveways need consistent falls over their length, drainage at low points and joints that suit the layout. Repairs or replacement of a common driveway usually need owners corporation approval. Because Kingston generally allows only one crossing per property, a single shared driveway is often the only option on redeveloped sites.
Paths, patios and backyards
Post-war Moorabbin homes tend to have useful backyards. Common projects include replacing cracked rear patios with new concrete patios for entertaining, new side and front paths, shed slabs, and clothesline and bin pads. Exposed aggregate is popular for front paths and driveways when owners renovate, while plain or charcoal-tinted concrete often suits the original brick homes. See exposed aggregate.
Near the industrial area
Moorabbin's eastern side has been an industrial area since development began in the mid-1960s. Homes near the boundary with the business precinct may see heavier traffic on nearby roads. Our work is residential, but if you own a home near busier roads, a driveway with a turning bay and a durable, easy-clean finish makes daily life easier.
Carports, garages and long driveways
Many Moorabbin homes have a carport or garage set well back beside or behind the house, reached by a long single driveway. Long driveways need even falls over their full length so water does not collect halfway down, and a drain where the driveway meets the garage if the garage floor sits low. Carport slabs are often replaced at the same time as the driveway so levels, colour and finish match. If you plan to enclose a carport later, mention it at the site look so the slab edge and set-downs suit future walls and a roller door.
Jobs commonly requested in Moorabbin
- Driveway replacement and new
- driveways
- Crossovers under Kingston rules
- Patios and
- paths
- Shared driveways for villa units
- Concrete repairs and
- sealing
What affects a Moorabbin quote
We do not publish prices. The main factors are the size of the job, removal and disposal of old concrete, the base needed on clay or variable ground, reinforcement, the finish, drainage, Kingston permit and inspection requirements, and access. See our driveway cost factors guide.
Moorabbin concreting FAQs
Moorabbin is in the City of Kingston. Kingston requires a Vehicle Crossing Permit and a pre-pour inspection of formwork by a council field officer.
Kingston generally permits only one crossing per property. A second may be considered only in exceptional circumstances, by application to the council.
If it is cracked into loose panels, sunken or lifting, replacement with a proper base, reinforcement and drainage is usually the best long-term option.
At least two business days, for a morning slot on a regular business day, subject to availability.
Yes. Common driveway work is planned with the owners corporation, with falls, drainage and staging to keep access where possible.
Plain or charcoal-tinted concrete, or a warm-toned exposed aggregate, usually complements red and cream brick homes.
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We also cover Bentleigh, Highett, Brighton East and Hampton. See all service areas.