Historical information

Patterson Lakes is a suburb in the City of Kingston that is built one kilometre upstream of the mouth of the Patterson River. The area is bordered by the Patterson River and Eel Race Drain which enters the Kananook Creek. The suburb consists predominantly of newer housing developments and the tidal canal system of the development joins Port Phillip Bay.

Significance

Patterson Lakes and the Kananook Creek were previously part of the extensive Carrum Carrum Swamp. The area was once a source of fish and eels for the Mayone-Bulluk clan of the Bunurong people. Over time the area was drained and in 1973 investigations commenced into the development of a unique residential area that would be built adjacent to canals and waterways. It was originally proposed to be known as "Gladesville". The development would give the suburb's homeowners access to Port Phillip Bay "from their back door". Circa 1974, the area was rezoned from rural to residential and named Patterson Lakes. Development has been continuous since the 1970s with construction of residential housing, schools, shopping centres, marinas, a hotel and library.

Physical description

Laminated colour aerial photograph of the Carrum and Patterson Lakes region within City of Kingston. This 1993 image includes Patterson River Secondary College, Roy Dore Reserve, Kananook Creek and Nepean Highway. The railway line can be seen as it veers inland from Eel Race Road, Seaford. The section of Palm Beach Drive, Curlew Point Drive, Snapper Point Drive, Clipper Island and Myola Street in Patterson Lakes appears to be a recent development with many spare blocks and new houses under construction.