NSW · Wollongong Council
Farmborough Heights, 2526
Current weather
10.1°CClear sky
67% humidity · 6.7 km/h wind · 17.5° / 6° today · 2.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Farmborough Heights sits up in the Wollongong hills, a mid-sized suburb where elevation and tree cover define the mood. The metro area remains accessible without feeling caught up in the inner-city rush. Elevated streets and bushland backdrops bring a sense of fresh country air to daily life.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. 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 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
- 4,179
- Median age
- 38
- Median household income / week
- $2,234
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 44 of 1,452
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,008
- Employment rate
- 61.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 78 / 46 / 16
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)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $760
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $750
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 82
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)
- 266
- Against the person
- 54
- Against property
- 113
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 63.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 77 residents
- State safety percentile
- 42.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -5.7%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Fraud78
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment71
- Malicious Damage To Property66
- Steal From Motor Vehicle71
- Transport Regulatory Offences121
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
68 public transport stops in this suburb
- Fairloch Av At Bardess Cres
- Fairloch Av Before Bardess Cres
- Fairloch Av Opp Loch Carron Av
- Farmborough Rd Before Loch Lomond Av
- Gerard Av At Farmborough 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).
128 planning-related records
2026· 8 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah37 STANLEY AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Under Assessment
May 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation100 PANORAMA DRIVE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Additional Information Requested
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah210 FARMBOROUGH ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Garage, carport or carparking space6 BRENDON AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool93 STANLEY AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Additional Information Requested
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure253 FARMBOROUGH ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses11 HIGHVIEW DRIVE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
January 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport198 FARMBOROUGH ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
2025· 14 proposals
November 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 GERARD AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure131 PANORAMA DRIVE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure182 WAPLES ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Pathways and paving19 CARLON CRESCENT FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation103 FARMBOROUGH ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool54 BRENDON AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure130 WAPLES ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure61 IOLA AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure20 TANNABAH PLACE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Minor building alterations (internal); Rainwater tanks9 TANNABAH PLACE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure182 WAPLES ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool28 LYREBIRD WAY FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 ASHLEY AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
January 2025
- Demolition60 STANLEY AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
2024· 18 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support18 SUGARWOOD PLACE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space1 STANLEY AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Withdrawn
November 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)37 FAIRLOCH AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Withdrawn
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 PRIMROSE PLACE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
September 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure156 WAPLES ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation facility (indoor)2/255-259 Farmborough rd, Farmborough Heights 2526Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support44 LOCH CARRON AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support130C FARMBOROUGH ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation77 FAIRLOCH AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 LOCHVIEW AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure282 FARMBOROUGH ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 TANNABAH PLACE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation19 CARLON CRESCENT FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Withdrawn
- Multi-dwelling housing; Residential flat building; Erection of a new structureRIBBONWOOD ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Withdrawn
May 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 TANNABAH PLACE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support130C FARMBOROUGH ROAD FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)4 VISTA AVENUE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation31 BRISTOL PARADE FARMBOROUGH HEIGHTS 2526Determined
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
34 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (2)
- 159 Farmborough RdBus stop
- Fairloch Ave after Ben Nevis RdBus stop
- Fairloch Ave after Farmborough RdBus stop
- Fairloch Ave after Loch Carron AveBus stop
- Fairloch Ave after Lochview AveBus stop
- Fairloch Ave at Bardess CresBus stop
- Fairloch Ave at Farmborough RdBus stop
- Fairloch Ave before Bardess CresBus stop
- Fairloch Ave opp Loch Carron AveBus 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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bristol Parade ParkPark
- Fairloch ParkPark
- Farmborough Heights ParkPark
- Gerard ParkPark
- Millingaa ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 9
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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
- 50.4/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1877th in Australia
- State rank
- 602nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #214 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #415 among Metro Sydney 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
- 159 Farmborough Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Fairloch Ave after Ben Nevis Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Fairloch Ave after Farmborough Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Fairloch Ave after Loch Carron Aveamenitiesbus_stop
- Fairloch Ave after Lochview Aveamenitiesbus_stop
- Fairloch Ave at Bardess Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Fairloch Ave at Farmborough Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Fairloch Ave before Bardess Cresamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Wollongong Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.