NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Garden Suburb, 2289
Current weather
16.9°CClear sky
67% humidity · 13.5 km/h wind · 20.8° / 13.8° today · 3.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Garden Suburb is a well-connected smaller community in Lake Macquarie with everyday amenities close at hand. The metro area remains accessible without feeling caught up in the inner-city rush. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker transport and access 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
- 1,959
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,361
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 24 of 658
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,066
- Employment rate
- 62.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 22 / 0 / 3
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)
- $580
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $760
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $750
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 151
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)
- 180
- Against the person
- 29
- Against property
- 101
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 91.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 68 residents
- State safety percentile
- 64.7th (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
- Fraud119
- Malicious Damage To Property119
- Steal From Motor Vehicle172
- Steal From Retail Store342
- Transport Regulatory Offences258
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
- 1,045
- Garden Suburb Public 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
28 public transport stops in this suburb
- Kirinari Hostel, Myall Rd
- Lance York Oval, Myall Rd
- Lance York Oval, Myall Rd
- Myall Rd Opp Kirinari Hostel
- Myall Rd Opp Kirinari Hostel
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).
91 planning-related records
2026· 6 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 PEPPERBUSH PLACE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care158 MARSHALL STREET GARDEN SUBURB 2289Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 BARRETT AVENUE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Additional Information Requested
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool12 WIMBLEDON GROVE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation64 ROBINIA GROVE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 WIMBLEDON GROVE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
2025· 16 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 WIMBLEDON GROVE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool28 PROSPECT ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)58 PROSPECT ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support6 SANDALWOOD PLACE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
September 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure4 IRVINE STREET GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11B PARK ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 EWING STREET GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure36 PROSPECT ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 CUPANIA CRESCENT GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
July 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation4 WIMBLEDON GROVE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 SANDALWOOD PLACE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure22 SUNDEW CLOSE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Recreation area31 MYALL ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 HEATHER CRESCENT GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 PARK ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
January 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport2 PROGRESS PLACE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
2024· 13 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 CUPANIA CRESCENT GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
November 2024
- Shed; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Barbecues and other outdoor cooking structures; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Entertainment associated with existing premises; Fences; Landscaping structures; Pathways and paving; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation3 TOSCANA CLOSE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah15A EWING STREET GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Subdivision9A, 69 & 82 Myall Road, Garden Suburb, NSW, 2285Deferred Commencement
October 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)16 WHALAN STREET GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support25 GREENHOOD WAY GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision71 WIMBLEDON GROVE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Withdrawn
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space21 PARK ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
May 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 HEATHER CRESCENT GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space21 PARK ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 IRVINE STREET GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
April 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation66 PROSPECT ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool9 WIMBLEDON GROVE GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
2023· 5 proposals
December 2023
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)3 PROSPECT ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
November 2023
- Demolition16 WHITEGUM WAY GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool10 PARK ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
September 2023
- Demolition; Place of public worship; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure10 RESERVED ROAD GARDEN SUBURB 2289Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Pathways and paving49 Wimbledon Grove, Garden Suburb NSW 2289Determined
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
19 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- 63 Prospect RdBus stop
- 70 Prospect RdBus stop
- Garden Suburb Public School, Prospect RdBus stop
- Garden Suburb Uniting Church, Prospect RdBus stop
- Kirinari Hostel, Myall RdBus stop
- Lance York Oval, Myall RdBus stop
- Myall Rd opp Kirinari HostelBus stop
- Prospect Rd at Irvine StBus stop
- Prospect Rd at Park RdBus stop
- Prospect Rd at Robinia GrBus 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
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Campbell ReservePark
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)
- 23
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- 44.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 42% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2769th in Australia
- State rank
- 884th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #271 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #553 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
- 63 Prospect Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 70 Prospect Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Garden Suburb Community Hallamenitiescommunity_centre
- Garden Suburb Public School, Prospect Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Garden Suburb Uniting Church, Prospect Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Kirinari Hostel, Myall Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Lance York Oval, Myall Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Lance Yorke Fieldamenitiespitch
- Margaret West Playing Fieldsamenitiespitch
- Myall Rd opp Kirinari Hostelamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.