NSW · Northern Beaches Council
Forestville, 2087
Current weather
17.1°CClear sky
51% humidity · 17.1 km/h wind · 21.2° / 13.8° today · 2.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- Dog friendly
Suburb profile
Forestville is a practical established suburb in Northern Beaches, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
The area suits established families and long-term locals, with family life visible on every street. Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates excellent overall, led by parks and green space and community and employment, while local dining and lifestyle amenities and schools and education sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 8,659
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $2,507
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 149 of 3,045
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,250
- Employment rate
- 58.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 142 / 380 / 187
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)
- $600
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,250
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $1,150
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 55
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)
- 139
- Against the person
- 51
- Against property
- 63
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 16.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 170 residents
- State safety percentile
- 1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -16%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault21
- Fraud14
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment22
- Malicious Damage To Property30
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault13
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,143
- Aspect Vern Barnett SchoolSpecial
- Forestville Montessori SchoolPrimary
- Forestville Public SchoolPrimary
- Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic 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
75 public transport stops in this suburb
- Warringah Rd After Woodlands Rd
- Warringah Rd At Ryrie Av
- Warringah Rd At Starkey St
- Warringah Rd Opp Maxwell Pde
- Yarraman Av At Rangers Retreat 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).
316 planning-related records
2026· 20 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space17 ALTONA AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure20 ALKOOMIE AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation791 WARRINGAH ROAD FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation44 WELLMAN ROAD FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation29 FERGUSON STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing9 NICHOLAS AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool73 MELWOOD AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation20A BROWN STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 ARTHUR STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation17 CALCA CRESCENT FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure81 ARTHUR STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (attached)11 WALKOM AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool23 BENTLEY AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Subdivision70 STARKEY STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 SAFORD STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 VALLEY ROAD FORESTVILLE 2087Deferred Commencement
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure12 TYRONE AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation17A EDINBURGH ROAD FORESTVILLE 2087Deferred Commencement
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure3 DARLEY STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Pending Court Appeal
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure46 MILHAM CRESCENT FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
2025· 20 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dual occupancy (attached)32 DUKE STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces16 BROWN STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 MILHAM CRESCENT FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure9 NEALE AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Demolition; Seniors housing; Independent living units; Erection of a new structure69 MELWOOD AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
November 2025
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure75 COOK STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 VALLEY ROAD FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool23 BENTLEY AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure27 BROWN STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 CULLEN STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 EDINBURGH ROAD FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure637 WARRINGAH ROAD FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure51 LADY DAVIDSON CIRCUIT FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 DEAKIN STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah23 BRIDGEVIEW CRESCENT FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 CANNONS PARADE FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure103 ARTHUR STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 COOLABAH CRESCENT FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure10 VIOLET AVENUE FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation25 COOK STREET FORESTVILLE 2087Determined
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
194 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- Liquorland WarehouseAlcohol
682 Warringah Road
- ATM
- atmxATM
- PrecinctATM
- Forestville BakeryBakery
Darley Street
- Battery WorldBattery
- Bbq (2)
- Clear SkinBeauty salon
- Forestville Nails & BeautyBeauty salon
55 The 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
Parks & reserves
16 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Angophora ReservePark
- Brown Street ReservePark
- Calca ReservePark
- Casuarina ReservePark
- Cook Street ReservePark
- Currie Road Dog ParkPark
- Epacris ReservePark
- Epacris Reserve No. 2Park
- Forestville ParkPark
- Gwarra ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 12
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Blooms The Chemistpharmacy
- Dentists on StarkeyStarkey Streetdentist
- Elevation One Physiotherapyphysiotherapist
- Forest Chiropractic Centrealternative
- Forestville Dentaldentist
- Forestville Medical Practicedoctor
- Forestville PharmacyThe Centrepharmacy
- G&M OptometristStarkey Streetoptometrist
- Seb Northern Beaches Dentistdentist
- The Audiology Placeaudiologist
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)
- 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Orchard Early Learning ForestvilleWarringah Roadchildcare
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)
- 22
- Parks (OSM)
- 18
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
- 74.9/100 — Excellent
- State standing
- Top 2% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 68th in Australia
- State rank
- 27th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #13 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #17 among Metro Sydney 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
- AGA Mediteranian Cuisineamenitiesfast_food
- ATMamenitiesatm
- ArkoamenitiesWarringah Roadfuel
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Bakealicious by Gabirelaamenities13 The Centrepastry
- Base 'N' BurgeramenitiesDarley Streetfast_food
- Battery Worldamenitiesbattery
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
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.