NSW · Bega Valley Council
Bega, 2550
Current weather
12.5°CClear sky
59% humidity · 9.7 km/h wind · 18.8° / 8.2° today · 2.9 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- National parks
Suburb profile
Bega anchors everyday life in Bega Valley, a regional mid-sized suburb with its own identity and rhythm. Distance from the capital is noticeable, but the trade-off is space, calm and a community that knows its neighbours. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
The area suits established families and long-term locals, with plenty of young families in the mix. The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by parks and green space and schools and education, while local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 5,013
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,196
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 177 of 2,162
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,408
- Employment rate
- 50.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 153 / 176 / 47
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)
- $410
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $580
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 83
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)
- 232
- Against the person
- 68
- Against property
- 83
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 46.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 74 residents
- State safety percentile
- 23.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -9.8%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order61
- Breach Bail Conditions45
- Domestic Violence Related Assault54
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment78
- Malicious Damage To Property93
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
- 6
- Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
- 1,005
- Bega High SchoolSecondary
- Bega Valley Public SchoolPrimary
- Mumbulla School for Rudolf Steiner EducationPrimary
- Sapphire Coast Anglican CollegeCombined
- St Patrick's Primary SchoolPrimary
- Thomas More Christian Montessori SchoolPrimary
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
175 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bega Court House, Gipps St
- Bega Court House, Gipps St
- Bega Valley Public School, Bega St
- Gipps St Opp Bega Court House
- Mumbulla School For Rudolf Steiner Education, Bega St
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)
Roadworks & transport
3 active roadworks / incidents
- Allow extra travel time. Check signage. Expect delays. Local contractors are working to replace a small section of the footpath near Kisses Lagoon.Changed traffic conditions are in place, including intermittent road closures during work hours. Outside work hours, the road will remain open to a single lane under a give way arrangement.Pedestrian access will be maintained as much as possible, however temporary closures may occur, with signage in place for detours.Traffic control will be in place to assist road users and pedestrians.Poplar Ave12 Jun 2026 – 03 Jul 2026
- Allow extra travel time. Check signage. Expect delays. Local contractors will carry out tree removal and pruning works on Bega Street, near George Griffin Oval. For the duration of the tree removal works, changed traffic conditions will be in place.There will also be diversions in place for pedestrian access.Traffic control and signs will be in place.Bega Street25 Jun 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
- Allow extra travel time. Reduce your speed. Expect delays. Council’s contractors and Civil Construction Team will carry out road drainage works on Tathra Road at the Boundary Road intersection from 7am to 6pm each weekday.Works will involve installing new stormwater drainage and kerb and gutter infrastructure, helping to create a more reliable and resilient roadway, extending the life of the road and improving safety for all road users.Changed traffic conditions will be in place for the duration of the works including a reduced speed limit and intermittent lane closures.Road users should expect delays.Traffic control will be on-site.Tathra Road, Boundary Road16 Apr 2026 – 03 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
189 planning-related records
2026· 13 proposals
June 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Retail Premise; Shop227-239 CARP STREET BEGA 2550Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure168 MAX SLATER DRIVE BEGA 2550Rejected
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure3 SALWAY CLOSE BEGA 2550Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Agricultural produce industry23 RIDGE STREET BEGA 2550Under Assessment
May 2026
- Subdivision3-33 BARRACK STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Subdivision264 NEWTOWN ROAD BEGA 2550Determined
- Advertising and signage; Office Premise; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure185 CARP STREET BEGA 2550Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure59B GLEN MIA DRIVE BEGA 2550Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Minor building alterations (external)257 NEWTOWN ROAD BEGA 2550Under Assessment
- Subdivision73 HIGH STREET BEGA 2550Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support28 BELMORE STREET BEGA 2550Determined
February 2026
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure; Dairy (pasture-based); Agriculture171 ANGLEDALE ROAD BEGA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 SEA LACE PLACE BEGA 2550Determined
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Industrial development; Erection of a new structure; General industry23 RIDGE STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care133 GIPPS STREET BEGA 2550Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure25-31 BEGA STREET BEGA 2550Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 WARBLER CIRCUIT BEGA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 MILLOWINE LANE BEGA 2550Determined
November 2025
- Subdivision15 SEA LACE PLACE BEGA 2550Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah184 AUCKLAND STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise24 UPPER STREET BEGA 2550Determined
October 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure172 RAVENSWOOD STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Subdivision19 CHARLOTTE STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Flagpoles23 RIDGE STREET BEGA 2550Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Light industryBOUNDARY ROAD BEGA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure34 TATHRA ROAD BEGA 2550Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 ROSE STREET BEGA 2550Determined
August 2025
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)7 WARBLER CIRCUIT BEGA 2550Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)174 AUCKLAND STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Neighbourhood shop32-34 CHURCH STREET BEGA 2550Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision38-40 AUCKLAND STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 MILLOWINE LANE BEGA 2550Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 UPPER STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 SEA LACE PLACE BEGA 2550Determined
April 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure28 EDEN STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space22 BEGA STREET BEGA 2550Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure88 UPPER STREET BEGA 2550Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external)135 KERRISONS LANE BEGA 2550Determined
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)38 WARBLER CIRCUIT BEGA 2550Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 MILLOWINE LANE BEGA 2550Determined
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
73 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bbq
- Bench (4)
- Auckland St at Girraween CctBus stop
- Bega High School, Auckland StBus stop
- Sapphire Marketplace, Auckland StBus stop
- South Town Motor Inn, Newtown RdBus stop
- TAFE NSW Bega Connected Learning Centre, Auckland StBus stop
- Tarra MotorsCar
- South Coast 4x4 Outdoor CentreCar Parts
75 Upper Street, Bega
- Big WDepartment Store
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
11 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex ParkPark
- Bega Cheese Apex ParkPark
- Bega ParkPark
- Bega River ReservePark
- Columbine ParkPark
- Girraween ParkPark
- Glebe ParkPark
- Lions ParkPark
- Littleton GardensPark
- Old Bega RacecoursePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 31
- Emergency department
- On site
- Access NephrologyCanning Streetclinic
- AlternativeParker Streetalternative
- Bega Dental PracticeCarp Streetdentist
- Bega Dental SurgeryCarp Streetdentist
- Bega Valley Centre for Bone and Joint SurgeryCanning Streetclinic
- Bega Valley ConsultantsCanning Streetclinic
- Bega Valley Denture ClinicCarp Streetclinic
- Bega Valley Medical PracticeCarp Streetclinic
- Bega Valley RadiologyCanning Streetclinic
- Bega VisionCarp Streetoptometrist
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
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- CBC Bank (former)21 Auckland Street BegaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
4 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Bandara Children's ServicesRawlinson Streetchildcare
- Bega PreschoolKoolgarra Drivekindergarten
- Bega Valley Family Day Carechildcare
- Bega Valley Family Day Care IncPeden Streetchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 14
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
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
- 63.2/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 10% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 570th in Australia
- State rank
- 211th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #13 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #28 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Auckland St at Girraween Cctamenitiesbus_stop
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bega High School, Auckland Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Bega Libraryamenitieslibrary
- Bega Swimming Poolamenitiesswimming_pool
- Bega Valley Shire Councilamenitiestownhall
- Bega War Memorial Poolamenitiessports_centre
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Bega Valley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.