NSW · Ballina Council
Cumbalum, 2478
Current weather
18.5°COvercast
86% humidity · 6.2 km/h wind · 21.1° / 15.2° today · 0.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Ballina, Cumbalum keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood.
Reasonable public transport access helps with commuting and getting around locally. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access against similar regional towns, even with housing affordability and community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 2,211
- Median age
- 37
- Median household income / week
- $2,170
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 26 of 743
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 68.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 44 / 40 / 5
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)
- $595
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $850
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $755
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 236
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)
- 207
- Against the person
- 39
- Against property
- 111
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 93.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 57 residents
- State safety percentile
- 65.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +12.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions342
- Fraud335
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment155
- Malicious Damage To Property240
- Steal From Retail Store305
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
Public transport
16 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cumbalum Rd At Koellner Rd
- Deadmans Creek Rd After Kirby Pl
- Deadmans Creek Rd After The Ridgeway
- Tamarind Dr Opp Albert Sheather Lane
- Unara Parkway After Ballina Heights Dr
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).
287 planning-related records
2026· 11 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support15 DARCEY AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support35 FARRELLY AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure38 UNARA PARKWAY CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation10 McEvoy Street CumbalumDetermined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)55 KOELLNER ROAD CUMBALUM 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support23 HARTIGAN STREET CUMBALUM 2478Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool38 UNARA PARKWAY CUMBALUM 2478Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)9 DARCEY AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support29 HIGHFIELD TERRACE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Resource recovery facility; Waste or resource management facility167 SOUTHERN CROSS DRIVE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool6 DARCEY AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
2025· 28 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Swimming pool195 CUMBALUM ROAD CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- SubdivisionBALLINA HEIGHTS DRIVE CUMBALUM 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool22 FALLOW DRIVE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
November 2025
- Subdivision24 CHILCOTT CIRCUIT CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Subdivision10 MCEVOY STREET CUMBALUM 2478Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences1 FAGAN PLACE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation31 LINDSAY AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support15 WINDROW AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Carport27 ACREAGE STREET CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation59 PACIFIC HEIGHTS DRIVE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation35 KOELLNER ROAD CUMBALUM 2478Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Fences5 UNARA PARKWAY CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Subdivision40A LIFFEY AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool26 WINDROW AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
July 2025
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)42 PRESENTATION CRESCENT CUMBALUM 2478Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Swimming pool195 CUMBALUM ROAD CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah12 PERKINS CLOSE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Minor building alterations (external)20 HIGHFIELD TERRACE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision; Residential Accommodation24 PASTURES STREET CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure192 BALLINA HEIGHTS DRIVE CUMBALUM 2478Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation35 KOELLNER ROAD CUMBALUM 2478Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Fences; Swimming pool2 THE RIDGEWAY CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support24 UNARA PARKWAY CUMBALUM 2478Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support5 MCEVOY STREET CUMBALUM 2478Determined
March 2025
- Subdivision6 O'BYRNE PLACE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Business identification sign; Exhibition home4 WINDROW AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
- Subdivision6 RYAN STREET CUMBALUM 2478Determined
January 2025
- Subdivision8 HARTIGAN STREET CUMBALUM 2478Determined
2024· 1 proposal
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)9 DARCEY AVENUE CUMBALUM 2478Determined
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
8 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Deadmans Creek Rd after Kirby PlBus stop
- Deadmans Creek Rd after The RidgewayBus stop
- Scotia Ave after Josephine StBus stop
- Tamarind Dr opp Albert Sheather LaneBus stop
- The Ridgeway at Madden PlaceBus stop
- The Ridgeway before Perkins ClBus stop
- Shelter
- Tintenbar-East Ballina Soccer ClubSports centre
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
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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)
- 11
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- 40.9/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 49% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 3313th in Australia
- State rank
- 1036th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #58 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #318 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Deadmans Creek Rd after Kirby Plamenitiesbus_stop
- Deadmans Creek Rd after The Ridgewayamenitiesbus_stop
- Scotia Ave after Josephine Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Shelteramenitiesshelter
- Tamarind Dr opp Albert Sheather Laneamenitiesbus_stop
- The Ridgeway at Madden Placeamenitiesbus_stop
- The Ridgeway before Perkins Clamenitiesbus_stop
- Tintenbar-East Ballina Soccer Clubamenitiessports_centre
- Breach Bail Conditionscrime342
- Fraudcrime335
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Ballina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.