Kew

A decision by a Victorian Local Government Commissioner in 1994 to amalgamate the individual municipalities of Camberwell, Hawthorn and Kew under the City of Booroondara banner formed a formidable residential economic bloc.

Indeed, the most recent statistical survey has revealed that the weekly personal income of Booroondara residents is the highest in Melbourne and $90 higher than the metropolitan average.

The revelation is not in the least surprising. For many years Kew and neighbouring Hawthorn and Camberwell have been recognised as three of Melbourne's most affluent suburbs where gracious Victorian and art deco homes are graced by stunning gardens set back from tree-lined streets.

House prices, too, reflect the general affluence of an area where the price of a home is more than twice the metropolitan Melbourne average. Kew is generously endowed with parkland in which spacious Yarra Bend and Studley parks are the standouts.