NSW · Central Coast (NSW) Council
Kanwal, 2259
Current weather
16.2°CClear sky
56% humidity · 12.3 km/h wind · 21.9° / 13.2° today · 4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Kanwal is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in Central Coast (NSW) with everyday amenities close at hand. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. 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. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because safety and community and employment lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in parks and green space and housing affordability.
Population
- Population
- 4,194
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,344
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 74 of 1,481
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 44.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 134 / 51 / 147
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)
- $500
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $700
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $680
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 472
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)
- 461
- Against the person
- 116
- Against property
- 151
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 109.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 36 residents
- State safety percentile
- 77.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions789
- Domestic Violence Related Assault437
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment636
- Malicious Damage To Property530
- Transport Regulatory Offences1055
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
- 942
- Kanwal 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
71 public transport stops in this suburb
- Craigie Av Before Swan St
- Kaye Av At Stanley St
- Stanley St After Kaye Av
- Stanley St Opp Phyllis Av
- Stelling Av At Springall Av
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).
69 planning-related records
2026· 6 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah19 85 Wahroonga Road Kanwal 2259Under Assessment
May 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure59 HUGHES AVENUE KANWAL 2259Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
March 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure29 HUGHES AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
February 2026
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space160 STANLEY STREET KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
January 2026
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club40 LAKE HAVEN DRIVE KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
2025· 5 proposals
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure6 STAMFORD CLOSE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care651 PACIFIC HIGHWAY KANWAL 2259Determined
June 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Manufactured home; Moveable dwelling207-209 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
May 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support9 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 LAKE HAVEN DRIVE KANWAL 2259Determined
2024· 10 proposals
December 2024
- Boarding house; Erection of a new structure741 PACIFIC HIGHWAY KANWAL 2259Determined
November 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation7 MONASH ROAD KANWALDetermined
September 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Telecommunications facility639 PACIFIC HIGHWAY KANWAL 2259Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Group home; Group home (permanent)43 WAHROONGA ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
August 2024
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure20 CRAIGIE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
June 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool9 DALTON AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Home business; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Hours of operation and trading24 CRAIGIE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
May 2024
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure40 LAKE HAVEN DRIVE KANWAL 2259Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 KAYE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure7 KATO CLOSE KANWAL 2259Determined
2023· 12 proposals
November 2023
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Group home (permanent)83 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Demolition; Signage; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks; Advertising structure; Business identification sign; Service station; Hours of operation and trading217 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure51 PEARCE ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 SURREY CLOSE KANWAL 2259Determined
August 2023
- Shed23 HUGHES AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
May 2023
- Change of use205 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
March 2023
- Secondary dwelling17 PHYLLIS AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development4 HOPETOWN ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development25 DONALD AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
February 2023
- Dual occupancy; Retaining walls, protection of trees223 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces12 HERITAGE DRIVE KANWAL 2259Determined
January 2023
- Other207-209 WALLARAH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
2022· 7 proposals
December 2022
- Secondary dwelling28 DONALD AVENUE KANWAL 2259Determined
November 2022
- Multi-dwelling housing2 MONASH ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
September 2022
- Demolition; Group homes43 WAHROONGA ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
- Dual occupancy; Subdivision of land54 CRAIGIE AVENUE KANWAL 2259Withdrawn
August 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing12 BUNA ROAD KANWAL 2259Determined
July 2022
- Shed183 STANLEY STREET KANWAL 2259Determined
June 2022
- Secondary dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spaces29 SWAN STREET KANWAL 2259Determined
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
62 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Not Just CakesBakery
- Bench
- 691 Pacific HwyBus stop
- Arcare Kanwal, Wahroonga RdBus stop
- Craigie Av before Swan StBus stop
- Craigie Av opp Kanwal Public SchoolBus stop
- Craigie Av opp Tuggerah Lakes Private HospitalBus stop
- Glenmere Aged Care Facility, Wahroonga RdBus stop
- Heritage Dr Reserve, Walker AvBus stop
- Kanwal Public School, Cragie AvBus 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
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Avondale Drive ReservePark
- Dean Avenue ReservePark
- Heritage Drive ReservePark
- Kanwal OvalPark
- Kaye Ave ReservePark
- Phyllis Avenue ReservePark
- Swan Street ReservePark
- Walker ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 3
- Emergency department
- On site
- Family Care GPWallarah Roaddoctor
- Kanwal Village Medical CentreWallarah Roaddoctor
- Tuggerah Lakes Private HospitalPacific Highwayhospital
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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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
- Little Coast Kidschildcare
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)
- 14
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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
- 53.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 24% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1598th in Australia
- State rank
- 508th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #28 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #353 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
- 691 Pacific Hwyamenitiesbus_stop
- 7-Eleven Kanwalamenities207-211 Wallarah Road, Kanwalfuel
- Amcal+ Pharmacy Kanwal VillageamenitiesUnit 1 260 Wallarah Road, Kanwalpharmacy
- Arcare Kanwal, Wahroonga Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Central Coast Councilamenitiestoilets
- Craigie Av before Swan Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Craigie Av opp Kanwal Public Schoolamenitiesbus_stop
- Craigie Av opp Tuggerah Lakes Private Hospitalamenitiesbus_stop
- Family Care GPamenitiesUnit 3-4 260 Wallarah Road, Kanwaldoctors
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Central Coast (NSW) Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.