The City of Whitehorse is located just 15 kilometres east of Melbourne and covers an area of 64 square kilometres. In 2016, the City of Whitehorse had an estimated residential population of 167,933 and according to Census data, there were 60,431 households. Whitehorse is characterised by quiet tree-lined residential streets; an abundance of parks, gardens and natural bushland reserves; bustling shopping centres, a diverse range of arts and cultural opportunities; and sports and leisure facilities. Council provides more than 100 high quality services and facilities across a range of areas including home and community care; sustainability; waste and recycling; health and family; leisure facilities; maintenance of sports fields, parks and gardens; infrastructure (operations centre and Whitehorse Recycling and Waste Centre); engineering (planning of roads, drains and streetlights); maintenance of footpaths, drains and roads; arts and culture; planning and building; traffic and community laws; libraries; community development; business and economic development. Whitehorse has access to an extensive public transport system with trains, trams and buses serving the area. Whitehorse boasts some of the region's leading educational, medical and leisure facilities and is home to the largest high technology precinct in eastern Melbourne, placing it at the cutting edge of the telecommunications, multimedia and information technology industry.