NSW · Bega Valley Council
Merimbula, 2548
Current weather
13.1°CClear sky
57% humidity · 6.9 km/h wind · 19° / 9.5° today · 4.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Merimbula anchors everyday life in Bega Valley, a regional mid-sized suburb with its own identity and rhythm. Distance from the capital is noticeable, but the trade-off is space, calm and a community that knows its neighbours. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. A genuine café and dining culture runs through the area, with locals returning to favourite spots. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. 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 transport and access, while housing affordability and community and employment sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
Population
- Population
- 3,821
- Median age
- 54
- Median household income / week
- $1,146
- Dwelling vacancy
- 26.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 613 of 2,335
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,517
- Employment rate
- 49.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 118 / 289 / 384
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)
- $495
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $710
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $555
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 70
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)
- 149
- Against the person
- 36
- Against property
- 66
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 39
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 106 residents
- State safety percentile
- 14.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -17.5%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment27
- Malicious Damage To Property41
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault23
- Other Offences31
- Steal From Retail Store31
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
- 1,001
- Merimbula 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
100 public transport stops in this suburb
- Merimbula Coach Stop
- Merimbula Tennis Courts, Kalinda St
- Park St At Wonga St
- Park St At Wonga St
- Spencer Park, Main St
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)
Roadworks & transport
2 active roadworks / incidents
- Allow extra travel time. Check signage. Expect delays. Contractors and Council crews will carry out road strengthening and resurfacing works at several locations across Merimbula.Changed traffic conditions will be in place for the duration of the works, including a reduced speed limit. Traffic control will also be on-site to assist road users.There will be no on-street parking during working hours.Monaro Street, Market Street01 Jun 2026 – 13 Jul 2026
- Allow extra travel time. Check signage. Expect delays. Contractors and Council crews will carry out road strengthening and resurfacing works at several locations across Merimbula.Changed traffic conditions will be in place for the duration of the works, including a reduced speed limit. Traffic control will also be on-site to assist road users.There will be no on-street parking during working hours.Short St, Market Street01 Jun 2026 – 14 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
195 planning-related records
2026· 13 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport42 CLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise115-127 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure27 KOWARA CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Hotel or motel accommodation; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation110 LAKEWOOD DRIVE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
April 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development23 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation27 MONARO STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure37 KOWARA CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
February 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation38 CLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; KioskCLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation; Supporting DevelopmentWHARF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 LAKEVIEW AVENUE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)22 MARINE PARADE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Subdivision371 ARTHUR KAINE DRIVE MERIMBULA 2548Under Assessment
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure9 SAPPHIRE CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 MULLOWAY CIRCUIT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure63 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
November 2025
- Residential flat building; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation2 FISHPEN ROAD MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure16 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)46-52 MARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport9 KOWARA CRESCENT MERIMBULA 2548Withdrawn
October 2025
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure95 MAIN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
September 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling; Multi-dwelling housing (terraces); Residential Accommodation63 OCEAN DRIVE MERIMBULA 2548Additional Information Requested
- Temporary building, structure or use; Market95/97 & 119 Mains st Merimbula 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure21 MULLOWAY CIRCUIT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Restaurant or cafe; Small bar; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Footpaths - outdoor dining; Outdoor dining - general; Food and drink premise; Shop22 MARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 HENWOOD STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation35 BEVERLEY STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home2 TASMAN STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 DOYLE PLACE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure13 HENWOOD STREET MERIMBULA 2548Rejected
- Restaurant or cafe; Small bar; Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Footpaths - outdoor dining; Outdoor dining - general; Food and drink premise; Shop22 MARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure12A CLIFF STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
March 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure1 ROBIN CLOSE MERIMBULA 2548Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure34 TANTAWANGALO STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 SALMON COURT MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation11 SHORT STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Commercial development; Advertising and signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Hours of operation and trading4/6 Merimbula Drive, Merimbula, NSW 2548Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 ILLUKA STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Community facilityMARKET STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Residential Accommodation27 MONARO STREET MERIMBULA 2548Determined
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
216 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- BWSAlcohol
- Top FunAmusement Arcade
- Back Street BakehouseBakery
- In The MixBakery
- Commonwealth BankBank
51 Market Street
- Horizon Credit UnionBank
- IMBBank
- NABBank
1 Merimbula Drive
- WestpacBank
43 Market Street
- Lake View Bar & GrillBar
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
5 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Boller ParkPark
- Ford ParkPark
- Magi ParkPark
- Rotary ParkPark
- Spencer ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 11
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Amcalpharmacy
- Discount Chemistpharmacy
- EyeQoptometrist
- Jason Harley optometristoptometrist
- Main Street Medical Centredoctor
- Merimbula Denture Clinic & Laboratorydentist
- Merimbula Massage & Sports Therapy Centreoccupational_therapist
- Optometristoptometrist
- Orthodontistdentist
- Sapphire Coast PhysiotherapySapphire Coast Drivephysiotherapist
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)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- CourungaMonaro Street, MerimbulaSHR
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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)
- 23
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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
- 57.9/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 17% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1059th in Australia
- State rank
- 346th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #19 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #57 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Aldiamenities107 Main Streetsupermarket
- Amcalamenitiespharmacy
- Amelda'samenitiesshoes
- Ameldas top shoe shopamenitiesshoes
- Arcuthiamenitieshairdresser
- Aria Kebab Cafeamenitiesfast_food
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- BWSamenitiesalcohol
- Back Street Bakehouseamenitiesbakery
- Barberamenitieshairdresser
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Bega Valley Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.