NSW · Northern Beaches Council

Killarney Heights, 2087

Current weather

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51% humidity · 17.1 km/h wind · 21.2° / 13.8° today · 2.5 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

61/100
Good

Top 13% of New South Wales' suburbs

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • High desirability
  • Excellent transport
What Killarney Heights is known for: Green suburb, High desirability, Excellent transport

Suburb profile

Killarney Heights sits up in the Northern Beaches hills, a mid-sized suburb where elevation and tree cover define the mood. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Ridge-top pockets and tree cover give the area a cooler, greener hillside feel.

Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. 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.

Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.

On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by community and employment and safety, while transport and access and local dining and lifestyle amenities sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
4,502
Median age
43
Median household income / week
$3,426
Dwelling vacancy
3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
44 of 1,453
Median monthly mortgage
$3,500
Employment rate
63.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
57 / 39 / 15

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community ProfileAustralian 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

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
72
Against the person
26
Against property
33
Rate per 1,000 residents
16
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 173 residents
State safety percentile
1th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-17%

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 statisticsNSW 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
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,141
  • Killarney Heights High SchoolSecondary
  • Killarney Heights Public SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

31 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Killarney High School, Melwood Av
  • Killarney High School, Melwood Av
  • Wakehurst Pwy Opp Manly Warringah War Memorial Park
  • Warringah Rd At Valley Rd
  • Warringah Rd Opp Valley 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).

160 planning-related records

2026· 9 proposals
  • May 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Residential Accommodation
    8 HYDE AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • April 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    102 STARKEY STREET KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house
    4 ATHLONE CRESCENT KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Under Assessment
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Take away food and drink
    39 TRAMORE PLACE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Additional Information Requested
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    8 WESTMEATH AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Under Assessment
  • March 2026

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    18 FINIAN AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)
    26 CASHEL CRESCENT KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    29 ROSCOMMON CRESCENT KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • January 2026

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    59 ROSCOMMON CRESCENT KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Under Assessment
2025· 21 proposals
  • December 2025

  • Medical centre; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia
    139 STARKEY STREET KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • November 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    11 WILDE AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • October 2025

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    27 DONEGAL ROAD KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    60 BALLYSHANNON ROAD KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    8 DUBLIN AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Carport
    12 RATHOWEN PARADE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • September 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    32 CASHEL CRESCENT KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    95 BALLYSHANNON ROAD KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Subdivision; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Dual occupancy (detached)
    2 EMMETT PLACE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • August 2025

  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    7 DOWNPATRICK ROAD KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • June 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    37 LANFORD AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    32 LONDONDERRY DRIVE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    87 STARKEY STREET KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • May 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    142 MELWOOD AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Temporary building, structure or use; Garage, carport or carparking space
    133 STARKEY STREET KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    16 YEATS AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • February 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    1 DONEGAL ROAD KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Temporary building, structure or use; Garage, carport or carparking space
    133 STARKEY STREET KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Operational consent issued
  • January 2025

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure
    56 Darley Street Killarney HeightsDetermined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    46 KILLARNEY DRIVE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    29 FINIAN AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
2024· 10 proposals
  • December 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    32 DONEGAL ROAD KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • November 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    70 KILLARNEY DRIVE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • October 2024

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    27 DONEGAL ROAD KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    29 DRUMCLIFF AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • September 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    142 MELWOOD AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • August 2024

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Landscaping structures; Swimming pool
    2 KILDARE GROVE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • July 2024

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation
    1 LANFORD AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Withdrawn
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    87 STARKEY STREET KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    13 DUBLIN AVENUE KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Withdrawn
  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    107 STARKEY STREET KILLARNEY HEIGHTS 2087Determined

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

50 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Fuji BakeryBakery
  • I Lash & CoBeauty salon
  • Ukrainian ManicureBeauty salon

    shop 7

  • You Little BeautyBeauty salon

    Unit 7 33

  • Bench
  • Killarney Heights Public School, Melwood AvBus stop
  • Killarney High School, Melwood AvBus stop
  • Melwood Av after Downpatrick RdBus stop
  • Melwood Av opp Darley StBus stop
  • Rathowen Pde at Carlow CresBus 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 amenitiesOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

8 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Adare ReservePark
  • Ballina ReservePark
  • Cashel Cresent ReservePark
  • Donegal ReservePark
  • Finian ReservePark
  • Shannon ReservePark
  • Starkey ReservePark
  • Waterford ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
1
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Dental xpressionsdentist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

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

Heritage

1 state heritage place

  • Bantry Bay Explosives DepotKillarney HeightsSHR

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage registerState heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Busy BeesTramore Placechildcare
  • KU Killarney Heights PreschoolStarkey Streetkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare servicesOpenStreetMap · 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 overlaysState government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
10
Parks (OSM)
9

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 featuresOpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability Index

Desirability score
61.0/100 — Good
State standing
Top 13% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
760th in Australia
State rank
271st in NSW
Peer rank
#106 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#193 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability indexSuburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Australia Postamenitiespost_box
  • Benchamenitiesbench
  • Busy Beesamenities22 Tramore Place, Killarney Heightschildcare
  • Dental xpressionsamenitiesdentist
  • Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
  • Ellis Parkamenitiesplayground
  • Farm BethalamenitiesUnit 6 35 Tramore Placecafe
  • Fish Cleaningamenitiesfish_cleaning
  • Fuji Bakeryamenitiesbakery
  • Haley's Kitchenamenities45cafe

Data sources & freshness

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.