NSW · Northern Beaches Council
Freshwater, 2096
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
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Freshwater wears its coastal identity openly, a established suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Coastal living meets metro convenience, with nearby suburbs and the city never far for a change of pace. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.
Families and commuters make up much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. 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 growth momentum and community and employment, while local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar coastal suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 9,186
- Median age
- 37
- Median household income / week
- $2,726
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 290 of 3,866
- Median monthly mortgage
- $3,055
- Employment rate
- 70.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 167 / 167 / 1,899
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)
- $860
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,820
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $923
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 184
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)
- 191
- Against the person
- 58
- Against property
- 98
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 20.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 158 residents
- State safety percentile
- 2.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -8.8%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault22
- Fraud54
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment21
- Malicious Damage To Property42
- Sexual Assault27
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 1,134
- Harbord Public SchoolPrimary
- Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior CampusSecondary
- St John the Baptist 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
102 public transport stops in this suburb
- Harbord Rd After Soldiers Av
- Harbord Rd At Wyuna Av
- Harbord Rd Opp Coles Rd
- Lawrence St Opp Cavill St
- Oliver St After Lawrence St
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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksPittwater Road, Corrie Road28 Jun 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
514 planning-related records
2026· 27 proposals
June 2026
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation26-28 ROWE STREET FRESHWATER 2096Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 MOORE ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah90 LAWRENCE STREET FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation37 MOORE ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 LOCH STREET FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure65 OLIVER STREET FRESHWATER 2096Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies77 80 Evans Street FreshwaterUnder Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure40 OLIVER STREET FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 KOOLOORA AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation11 OCEAN VIEW ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Subdivision15A OZONE STREET FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool47 WYADRA AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 COASTVIEW PLACE FRESHWATER 2096Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 KOOLOORA AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 MARLBOROUGH AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Demolition; Seniors housing; Independent living units34 BRIGHTON STREET FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure65 UNDERCLIFF ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 DICK STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 LOCH STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool33 UNDERCLIFF ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Privacy screens21 CARLTON STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure10 HUBERT STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)90 HARBORD ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia47 WILSON STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation7 DICK STREET FRESHWATER 2096Under Assessment
- Demolition; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Recreation/Tourist Premise; Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading10 WAINE STREET FRESHWATER 2096Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Landscaping structures; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool76A WYUNA AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
2025· 13 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (attached)20 BRIDGE ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 ROWE STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 LOCH STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)35 MOORE ROAD FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation39 ROBERT STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
November 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure31 CHARLES STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure161 WYNDORA AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport22 GLEN STREET FRESHWATER 2096Withdrawn
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Swimming pool13 SURFERS PARADE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 OZONE STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Attached dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation47 WYADRA AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure127 WYNDORA AVENUE FRESHWATER 2096Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Swimming pool25 LOCH STREET FRESHWATER 2096Determined
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
182 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- ATM
- Bakers DelightBakery
- Mrs Jones the bakerBakery
- Stowaway BarBar
- Bbq (3)
- Bench (20)
- Bicycle Parking (6)
- Brighton St after Waratah StBus stop
- Brighton St at Oliver StBus stop
- Bus 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
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Corella Street ReservePark
- Duke Kahanamoku ParkNature reserve
- Evans ReservePark
- Freshwater Beach ReservePark
- Harbord ParkPark
- Jacka ParkPark
- Palomar ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Shelley’s PharmacyHarbord Roadpharmacy
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
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- childcarechildcare
- childcarechildcare
- kindergartenkindergarten
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)
- 16
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- 78.5/100 — Excellent
- State standing
- Top 1% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 23rd in Australia
- State rank
- 8th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #2 among Coastal & beach · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #4 among Coastal & beach 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
- 7 Day Chemistamenitieschemist
- ATMamenitiesatm
- Albert & Mooreamenitiescafe
- Australia Postamenitiespost_box
- Bakers Delightamenitiesbakery
- Bau Truongamenitiesrestaurant
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Beaumont Tilesamenitiestrade
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.