It is the City of Merri-bek's newest suburb, with residential development started in the 1990s and continuing.

According to data from the 2016 census:[2] Gowanbrae has a strong and active residents group and website[3] and Facebook page named 'Gowanbrae'.

The suburb has a $4 million community and children's centre with views of the city of Melbourne.

The sole road access to the suburb is from the west via Coventry Street, which passes under the Tullamarine Freeway.

The nearest tram route to Gowanbrae is located in nearby Airport West: ^ = territory divided with another LGA