In 1951 the Victorian Housing Commission announced its proposal to take over 2,270 ha. of land in Broadmeadows for a housing estate. The Commission's housing construction proceeded apace, but the provision of shops and other facilities lagged. Glenroy became the main lcoal shopping area, four kilometres to the south. The Commission built in the area between Broadmeadows and Glenroy in 1958, and the Jacana and Campmeadows primary schools were opened the following year. During the 1960s three secondary schools were opened - two technical and one high.
Catholic schools comprise a primary, a co-educational secondary and a boys' secondary.
Some way through Broadmeadows' urbanisation it was decided to sever the rural parts north of Somerton Road and attach them to the adjoining shire. The Ford factory opened in 1959 and four other substantial factories opened the following year along the Hume Highway. Schools were overcrowded, swimming pools unbuilt until 1962 and speech nights were held at Coburg or Essendon. A new civic hall and council offices were built in 1964. The adjoining local shopping centre, Meadow Fair, existed only on Housing Commission paper until the 1970s, and finally in 1974 it was completed.