NSW · Newcastle Council
Merewether Heights, 2291
Current weather
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64% humidity · 14.1 km/h wind · 21.8° / 14.1° today · 2.4 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Green suburb
Suburb profile
Merewether Heights sits up in the Newcastle hills, a smaller community where elevation and tree cover define the mood. Still within reach of the city while offering more breathing room, it suits those who want balance over bustle. Fresh country air and elevated outlooks are part of the appeal up here among the hills.
Residents are mostly families and working professionals, 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. Public transport is a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods.
Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because parks and green space and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar metro suburbs, despite relative strength in community and employment and housing affordability. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 1,495
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $3,022
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 16 of 494
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,600
- Employment rate
- 63.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 28 / 13 / 0
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)
- $600
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $950
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $720
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 167
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)
- 125
- Against the person
- 21
- Against property
- 82
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 83.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 71 residents
- State safety percentile
- 59.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.3%
Reported offences are unchanged compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling138
- Fraud76
- Malicious Damage To Property82
- Steal From Dwelling74
- Steal From Motor Vehicle246
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
- 1,129
- Merewether Heights 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
- Hatfield St At Sun Hill Dr
- Merewether Heights Public School, Scenic Dr
- Scenic Dr At Sun Hill Dr
- Scenic Dr Opp Sun Hill Dr
- Sun Hill Dr Opp Elsworth Pde
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).
92 planning-related records
2026· 3 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 TOORAK COURT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Under Assessment
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)27 THE QUARTER DECK MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation6 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
2025· 12 proposals
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 THE GROVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure14 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool34 SUMMER PLACE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Rainwater tanks6 VIEW STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation23 REMBRANDT DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure220 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure36 THE QUARTER DECK MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Withdrawn
- Signage; Advertising and signage156 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure20 ASHFORD PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
2024· 15 proposals
December 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space3 HATFIELD STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure53 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
September 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
August 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 ELSWORTH PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation6 VIEW STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure43 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Withdrawn
June 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure59 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
May 2024
- Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure251 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 THE GROVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
April 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure200 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Withdrawn
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure24 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
January 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space27 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
2023· 10 proposals
December 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool7 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space239 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
October 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure9 THE GROVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure1 5 ROENTGEN CLOSE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support11 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space21 ELSWORTH PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
September 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure30 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
July 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces33 ELSWORTH PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
June 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces7 PEAK STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
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
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Hatfield St at Sun Hill DrBus stop
- Scenic Dr at Sun Hill DrBus stop
- Scenic Dr opp Sun Hill DrBus stop
- Sun Hill Dr at Elsworth PdeBus stop
- Sun Hill Dr at Hatfield StBus stop
- Sun Hill Dr opp Elsworth PdeBus stop
- Sunhill Dr at Bershire 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
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
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)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
- 35.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4259th in Australia
- State rank
- 1353rd in NSW
- Peer rank
- #344 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #706 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
- Hatfield St at Sun Hill Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Scenic Dr at Sun Hill Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Scenic Dr opp Sun Hill Dramenitiesbus_stop
- Sun Hill Dr at Elsworth Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- Sun Hill Dr at Hatfield Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Sun Hill Dr opp Elsworth Pdeamenitiesbus_stop
- Sunhill Dr at Bershire Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Break And Enter Dwellingcrime138
- Fraudcrime76
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime82
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Newcastle Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.