NSW · Blayney Council
Forest Reefs, 2798
Current weather
8.3°CClear sky
82% humidity · 19.5 km/h wind · 11.7° / 6.3° today · 13.7 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Forest Reefs is a quieter smaller community in Blayney, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. Open skies and rolling countryside set a calm backdrop to everyday routines.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and parks and green space against similar regional towns, even with housing affordability and safety holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 537
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $2,343
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 7 of 175
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,174
- Employment rate
- 63%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 13 / 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.
Housing
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $525
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)
- 9
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 4
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 16.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 179 residents
- State safety percentile
- 1.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -24.8%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault2
- Fraud3
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment4
- Malicious Damage To Property7
- Sexual Touching, Sexual Act And Other Sexual Offences3
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
85 public transport stops in this suburb
- 11 Hillside Lane
- 28 Hillside Lane
- 46 Carcoar Rd
- Forest Reefs Rd Before Eucalyptus Cl
- Forest Reefs Rd Opp Burtons Lane
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).
43 planning-related records
2026· 10 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation38 HILLSIDE LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Under Assessment
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure41 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure663 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 HOLLAND CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure66 EUCALYPTUS CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Aerials, antennae and communication dishes; Air-conditioning units; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Entertainment associated with existing premises; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Ho639 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure40 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure651 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation134 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
January 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2025· 4 proposals
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure344 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
September 2025
- Subdivision207 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
June 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 BLUETT CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Aerials, antennae and communication dishes; Air-conditioning units; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Clothes hoists and clothes lines; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Entertainment associated with existing premises; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Ho639 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2024· 7 proposals
September 2024
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure65 EUCALYPTUS CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
August 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks40 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision344 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
May 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure8 LONG SWAMP ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
March 2024
- Subdivision28 HILLSIDE LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Animal shelters; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia570-571 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
January 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation455 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2023· 13 proposals
November 2023
- Demolition; Farm building339-343 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
October 2023
- Subdivision8 BLUETT CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
September 2023
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Animal boarding or training establishment239 CARBINE ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development283 CARBINE ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Shed22 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
June 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces9 BURRELL LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
March 2023
- Farm buildings; Shed345 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development275 Forest Reefs Road Milnthorpe NSW 2798Determined
- Shed67 EUCALYPTUS CLOSE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
February 2023
- Farm buildings; Shed239 CARBINE ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
January 2023
- Dual occupancy32 Burrell Lane Forest Reefs 2798Determined
- Subdivision of land28 HILLSIDE LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Change of use13 CALVERT LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
2022· 4 proposals
November 2022
- Dwelling; Dual occupancy551 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
June 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development592 FOREST REEFS ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
April 2022
- Other281 WATTERSONS LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
February 2022
- Dwelling; Shed481 Spring Terrace Road Forest Reefs 2798Determined
2021· 2 proposals
December 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Change of use13 CALVERT LANE FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
October 2021
- Dual occupancy; Farm buildings760 TALLWOOD ROAD FOREST REEFS 2798Determined
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
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Forest Reefs Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
- Forest Reefs TavernPub
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
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)
- 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
- 52.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 25% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1643rd in Australia
- State rank
- 523rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #45 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #98 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
- Forest Reefs Tavernamenitiespub
- Forest Reefs Uniting Churchamenitiesplace_of_worship
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime2
- Fraudcrime3
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime4
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime7
- Sexual Touching, Sexual Act And Other Sexual Offencescrime3
- 11 Hillside Lanetransport
- 28 Hillside Lanetransport
- 46 Carcoar Rdtransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Blayney Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.