NSW · Sutherland Shire Council
Menai, 2234
Current weather
15.7°CClear sky
59% humidity · 11.9 km/h wind · 21.1° / 12.6° today · 2 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Menai is a well-connected established suburb in Sutherland Shire with everyday amenities close at hand. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
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 good overall, led by parks and green space and community and employment, while local dining and lifestyle amenities and growth momentum sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 10,419
- Median age
- 39
- Median household income / week
- $2,575
- Dwelling vacancy
- 2.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 103 of 3,530
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,600
- Employment rate
- 66.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 195 / 739 / 108
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
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,300
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 42
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)
- 215
- Against the person
- 72
- Against property
- 82
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 20.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 145 residents
- State safety percentile
- 2.1th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -11.6%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions33
- Domestic Violence Related Assault60
- Fraud72
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment86
- Malicious Damage To Property62
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 1,082
- Aquinas Catholic CollegeSecondary
- Holy Family Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary
- Menai High SchoolSecondary
- Menai Public SchoolPrimary
- Tharawal 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
120 public transport stops in this suburb
- Allison Cres Opp Pioneer Dr
- Allison Cres Opp Schofield Pl
- Club Central Menai, Allison Cres
- Menai Community Health Centre, Allison Cres
- Menai Marketplace, Duncomb Pl
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).
246 planning-related records
2026· 6 proposals
June 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care1D ANZAC ROAD MENAI 2234Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool22 FERRIER DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure70 THE WOODS CIRCUIT MENAI 2234Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool111 MONASH ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support10 BEAUMARIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Withdrawn
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure32 ROSEWALL DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
2025· 26 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 MECKIFF CLOSE MENAI 2234Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise152-194 ALLISON CRESCENT MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 WINDLE PLACE MENAI 2234Determined
October 2025
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Group home; Group home (permanent)56 CARTER ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
- Recreation facility (indoor); Hours of operation and trading12-16 MACMAHON PLACE MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure17 BARNES CRESCENT MENAI 2234Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool2 LONG CLOSE MENAI 2234Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool27 LLANBERIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure18 WINDLE PLACE MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation5 O'NEILL ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 LANDY CLOSE MENAI 2234Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Centre-based child care593 OLD ILLAWARRA ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
- Place of public worship; 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 Australia593 OLD ILLAWARRA ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 NAGLE CLOSE MENAI 2234Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external)231-233 ALLISON CRESCENT MENAI 2234Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation10 DAVIDSON ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
May 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 MILLER PLACE MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 LLANBERIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 104-106 BEAUMARIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
April 2025
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 BRADMAN ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Retail Premise152-194 ALLISON CRESCENT MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12 LLANBERIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
February 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support11 BEAUMARIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
January 2025
- Subdivision14 BEAUMARIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Rejected
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Take away food and drink152-194 ALLISON CRESCENT MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation1 GROUT PLACE MENAI 2234Withdrawn
2024· 8 proposals
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses28 LINK CIRCUIT MENAI 2234Determined
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 GOOLAGONG PLACE MENAI 2234Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 STOLLE CLOSE MENAI 2234Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure54 BEAUMARIS DRIVE MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 O'NEILL ROAD MENAI 2234Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool22 THE WOODS CIRCUIT MENAI 2234Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure43 ANDERSON PLACE MENAI 2234Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure70 THE WOODS CIRCUIT MENAI 2234Determined
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
- BWSAlcohol
- Dan Murphy'sAlcohol
Building C, Menai Central Old Ilawarra Road
- Commonwealth BankBank
- WestpacBank
- Bbq
- Bicycle Parking
- Allison Cr after MacMahon PlBus stop
- Allison Cres after Mina RdBus stop
- Allison Cres opp Club Central MenaiBus stop
- Allison Cres opp Schofield PlBus 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
9 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Buckle ReservePark
- Konrads Place ReservePark
- Mathers Place ReservePark
- Menai Conservation ParkNature reserve
- Parc MenaiPark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
- Power Place ReservePark
- Sandy Point ReservePark
- The Woods Circuit 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
- Allison Crescent Medical Centreclinic
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)
- 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Rise and Shine Kindergartenchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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)
- 47
- Parks (OSM)
- 11
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
- 63.8/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 9% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 511th in Australia
- State rank
- 192nd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #83 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #142 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
- 6 Shooter Cafeamenitiescafe
- Allison Cr after MacMahon Plamenitiesbus_stop
- Allison Cres after Mina Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Allison Cres opp Club Central Menaiamenitiesbus_stop
- Allison Cres opp Schofield Plamenitiesbus_stop
- BWSamenitiesalcohol
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bicycle Parkingamenitiesbicycle_parking
- Big Wamenities152-194 Allison Crescentdepartment_store
- Carter Rd opp Menai Central Shopping Plazaamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Sutherland Shire Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.