NSW · Northern Beaches Council
Duffys Forest, 2084
Current weather
17°CClear sky
48% humidity · 17.5 km/h wind · 21.2° / 12.6° today · 2.8 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Duffys Forest is a practical smaller community in Northern Beaches, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Long-term locals and family households define 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. Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker parks and green space and local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment and housing affordability holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 509
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $4,250
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 9 of 161
- Median monthly mortgage
- $6,134
- Employment rate
- 62%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 7 / 0 / 0
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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 17
- Against the person
- 5
- Against property
- 6
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 33.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 102 residents
- State safety percentile
- 9.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -14.8%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault8
- Fraud9
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment10
- Malicious Damage To Property13
- Other Offences25
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 962
- A.G.B.U. Alexander Primary 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
41 public transport stops in this suburb
- Booralie Rd Before Thuddungra Rd
- Booralie Rd Opp Eurabba Rd
- NSW Gun Club, Booralie Rd
- Thuddungra Rd Opp Alexander Primary School
- Thuddungra Rd Opp Joalah Rd
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).
46 planning-related records
2026· 2 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses6 KILLAWARRA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Under Assessment
March 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development376 JOALAH ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
2025· 5 proposals
September 2025
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Shed; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool; Supporting Development139 BOORALIE ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Carport; Tennis courts; Swimming pool6 KILLAWARRA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 KILLAWARRA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation374 JOALAH ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Animal boarding or training establishment394 WYONG ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
2024· 7 proposals
December 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting DevelopmentLot 1 Weemala Road Duffys Forest NSW 2084Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation6 JOALAH ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
November 2024
- Demolition; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Air-conditioning units; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Hot water systems; Landscaping structures; Pathways and paving; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool139 BOORALIE ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Withdrawn
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation374 JOALAH ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Supporting DevelopmentWEEMALA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Withdrawn
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 NAMBA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation374 JOALAH ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
2023· 9 proposals
December 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 BIBBENLUKE AVENUE DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential AccommodationLot 79 DP 752017 - Pt 79 Kumarna St Duffys ForestWithdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure149 BOORALIE ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
October 2023
- Shed; Erection of a new structure1 NAMBA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
July 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing; Garages, carports and car parking spaces3 ANEMBO ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
- OtherWEEMALA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
May 2023
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs368 JOALAH ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
March 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing; Garages, carports and car parking spaces3 ANEMBO ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
February 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development3 NAMBA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
2022· 11 proposals
December 2022
- Demolition; Subdivision of land; Emergency services facility and bush fire hazard reduction; Garages, carports and car parking spaces9 ANEMBO ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
- Other; Change of use13 BIRRAMAL ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
November 2022
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Demolition; Earthworks / change in levels11 NAMBA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
October 2022
- Other13 BIRRAMAL ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Withdrawn
September 2022
- Demolition; Subdivision of land; Emergency services facility and bush fire hazard reduction; Garages, carports and car parking spaces9 ANEMBO ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
- Demolition; Shed1 BIBBENLUKE AVENUE DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
- Other13 BIRRAMAL ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
August 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Shed385 WYONG ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
July 2022
- Change of use1 Weemala Road, Duffys ForestWithdrawn
June 2022
- Shed129 BOORALIE ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
January 2022
- Dwelling88 Eurabba Rd Duffys Forest 2084 [Lot 88/DP752017]Determined
2021· 5 proposals
October 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development4 THE GREENWAY DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
- DwellingLot 88 Eurabba Road Duffys ForestWithdrawn
July 2021
- Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Earthworks / change in levels; Garages, carports and car parking spaces6 GUWARA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Deferred Commencement
June 2021
- Dwelling1 NAMBA ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
May 2021
- Subdivision of land1 BIBBENLUKE AVENUE DUFFYS FOREST 2084Withdrawn
2020· 1 proposal
November 2020
- Alterations and additions to commercial development; Signage; Change of use129 BOORALIE ROAD DUFFYS FOREST 2084Determined
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
97 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Alexander Primary School, Thuddungra RdBus stop
- Booralie Rd after Echunga RdBus stop
- Booralie Rd at Eurabba RdBus stop
- Booralie Rd before Thuddungra RdBus stop
- Booralie Rd opp Eurabba RdBus stop
- Booralie Rd opp NSW Gun ClubBus stop
- Booralie Rd opp Thuddungra RdBus stop
- NSW Gun Club, Booralie RdBus stop
- Sydney Japanese International School, Booralie RdBus stop
- Thuddungra Rd after Wyong RdBus 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
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
- Waratah Park13 Namba Road, Duffys ForestSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
- 42.9/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 44% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2961st in Australia
- State rank
- 939th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #282 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #580 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Alexander Primary School, Thuddungra Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Booralie Rd after Echunga Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Booralie Rd at Eurabba Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Booralie Rd before Thuddungra Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Booralie Rd opp Eurabba Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Booralie Rd opp NSW Gun Clubamenitiesbus_stop
- Booralie Rd opp Thuddungra Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Community Sports Centreamenitiessports_centre
- NSW Gun Club, Booralie Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- New South Wales Gun Clubamenitiespitch
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Northern Beaches Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.