NSW · Shellharbour Council
Barrack Heights, 2528
Current weather
13.5°CClear sky
66% humidity · 5.2 km/h wind · 20.2° / 9° today · 2.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Set among the hills of Shellharbour, Barrack Heights is a mid-sized suburb with bushland views and a cooler, leafier feel. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. Fresh country air and elevated outlooks are part of the appeal up here among the hills.
Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in parks and green space and housing affordability. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 6,003
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,340
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 119 of 2,399
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,863
- Employment rate
- 49.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 204 / 24 / 238
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Housing
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $515
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $720
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $665
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 138
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 466
- Against the person
- 132
- Against property
- 181
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 77.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 45 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +15.1%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order188
- Domestic Violence Related Assault130
- Fraud123
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment178
- Malicious Damage To Property161
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 920.5
- Barrack Heights Public SchoolPrimary
- Warilla High SchoolSecondary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
92 public transport stops in this suburb
- Barrack Heights Public School, Captain Cook Dr
- Entrance Rd Opp Shellharbour Hospital Lake
- Lake Entrance Rd Opp Landy Dr
- Shellharbour Rd After Woodlands Dr
- Shellharbour Rd Opp Barrack Av
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
157 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Registered club; Minor building alterations (external)54 MCGREGOR AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Under Assessment
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure14 CARRINGTON STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure11 EDWARD STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation64 CASSIA STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
April 2026
- Demolition64 CASSIA STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies29 DOONE STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting Development1 3-5 SUMMERFIELD PLACE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure11 EDWARD STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club63 JASON AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
2025· 25 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition22 BLACKBUTT WAY BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation22 BLACKBUTT WAY BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
October 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Artisan food and drink industry4 7 SUNSET AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah121 CAPTAIN COOK DRIVE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
September 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Kiosk; Take away food and drink250 SHELLHARBOUR ROAD BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Withdrawn
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool11 BRISBANE PLACE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation26 GROSE AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Shipping containers250 SHELLHARBOUR ROAD BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation18 BLUEBELL ROAD BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development10 DAPHNE STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Supporting Development106 THE KINGSWAY BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)45 THE KINGSWAY BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
June 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space3 DENISON AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)14 MCGREGOR AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
May 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)11 SUNSET AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah55 CASSIA STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters; Animal care premises; Animal boarding or training establishment4 Sunset ave Barrack HeightsDetermined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 BARRACK AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 ROBERTS AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure132 CAPTAIN COOK DRIVE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space76 LOFTUS DRIVE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
February 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)9 FLINDERS CLOSE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 BLUEBELL ROAD BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Building identification sign246-248 SHELLHARBOUR ROAD BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)14 MCGREGOR AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
2024· 6 proposals
December 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation2 BELLBIRD CLOSE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure25A BARRACK AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
November 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure29 SAMMAT AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house13 BARRACK AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure49 CASSIA STREET BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)3 23A SUNSET AVENUE BARRACK HEIGHTS 2528Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
45 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Barrack Av after Shellharbour RdBus stop
- Barrack Av at Mcgregor AvBus stop
- Barrack Av opp Mcgregor AvBus stop
- Carrington St after Clematis CresBus stop
- Carrington St opp Clematis CresBus stop
- Entrance Rd opp Shellharbour HospitalBus stop
- Lake Entrance Rd opp Landy DrBus stop
- Leawarra Av before Narvo StBus stop
- Leawarra Av before Roberts AvBus stop
- Lindesay St at Lachlan AvBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
10 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Brisbane ParkPark
- Caldwell ParkPark
- Doonside ParkPark
- Jock Brown ReservePark
- Loftus ParkPark
- Messenger ParkPark
- Remembrance ParkPark
- Stewart ParkPark
- Wattle ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 2
- Emergency department
- On site
- Centre Health ComplexCaptain Cook Drivedoctor
- Shellharbour Private HospitalCaptain Cook Drivehospital
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 10
- Parks (OSM)
- 10
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)
Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 44.9/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 39% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2634th in Australia
- State rank
- 835th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #261 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #529 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Barrack Av after Shellharbour Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Barrack Av at Mcgregor Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Barrack Av opp Mcgregor Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Barrack Heights Post Officeamenitiespost_office
- Carrington St after Clematis Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Carrington St opp Clematis Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Centre Health ComplexamenitiesUnit 9 25 Captain Cook Drive, Barrack Heightsdoctors
- Entrance Rd opp Shellharbour Hospitalamenitiesbus_stop
- Jock Brown Sportsfieldamenitiespitch
- Lake Entrance Rd opp Landy Dramenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Shellharbour Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.