NSW · Newcastle Council
New Lambton Heights, 2305
Current weather
16.9°CClear sky
67% humidity · 13.5 km/h wind · 20.8° / 13.8° today · 3.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
New Lambton Heights is a hillside mid-sized suburb in Newcastle, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. The metro area remains accessible without feeling caught up in the inner-city rush. Ridge-top pockets and tree cover give the area a cooler, greener hillside feel.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life.
Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety against similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment and housing affordability holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 2,610
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,742
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 36 of 903
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,330
- Employment rate
- 66.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 39 / 11 / 9
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)
- $550
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $760
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $720
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 107
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)
- 120
- Against the person
- 27
- Against property
- 70
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 46
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 97 residents
- State safety percentile
- 22.6th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -3%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling49
- Fraud83
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment42
- Malicious Damage To Property54
- Steal From Motor Vehicle80
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,100
- John Hunter Hospital SchoolSpecial
- New Lambton Heights Infants 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
53 public transport stops in this suburb
- Carnley Av At Carisbrooke Av
- Grandview Rd Opp Clepham St
- Grandview Rd Opp Elbrook Dr
- Lookout Rd Opp McCaffrey Dr
- Lookout Rd Opp Newcastle Private Hospital
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
- RoadworksLookout Road, Carnley Avenue15 Sep 2025 – 29 Aug 2026
- RoadworksCroudace Street, Lookout Road29 Jun 2026 – 30 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).
143 planning-related records
2026· 14 proposals
June 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure27 CARDIFF ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Under Assessment
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 CURRAWONG ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Under Assessment
- Shed; Erection of a new structure119 LOOKOUT ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure28 RIDGEWAY ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support43 WALKERN ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Demolition; Signage; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Landscaping structures; Advertising structure; Business identification sign; Swimming pool7 PRESIDENT PLACE NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure14 MOUNTAIN VIEW PARADE NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 RIDGEWAY ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure20 CARDIFF ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure61 MARSHALL STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool172 LOOKOUT ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure185 CROUDACE STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool5A GRAND VALLEY WAY NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Under Assessment
February 2026
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Swimming pool3 GRAND VALLEY WAY NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Additional Information Requested
2025· 26 proposals
December 2025
- Subdivision204 CROUDACE STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space17 CARISBROOKE AVENUE NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure5 RIDGEWAY ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure185 CROUDACE STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 ARKANA CLOSE NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool; Supporting Development197 CROUDACE STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool192 CROUDACE STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation24 GRANDVIEW ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 GISTFORD STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support4 6 CARDIFF ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation2 RIDGEWAY ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure8 DUNSTON CLOSE NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 CURRAWONG ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support36 FLORALIA CLOSE NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure27 CARDIFF ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool6 GRAND VALLEY WAY NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support57 LOOKOUT ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah67 HOLLY CIRCUIT NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure193 CROUDACE STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Withdrawn
April 2025
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)166 LOOKOUT ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies31 MARSHALL STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Shed; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support42C MARSHALL STREET NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool6 DUNBLANE CLOSE NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 GRAND VALLEY WAY NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space7 GRANDVIEW ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool29 RIDGEWAY ROAD NEW LAMBTON HEIGHTS 2305Determined
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
35 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- 121 Lookout RoadBus stop
- 37 Grandview RdBus stop
- 42 Grandview RdBus stop
- Cardiff Rd at Beverley CresBus stop
- Cardiff Rd opp Beverley CresBus stop
- Carnley Av at Carisbrooke AvBus stop
- Charlestown Rd at Hurn StBus stop
- Charlestown Rd opp Carnley AvBus stop
- Grandview Rd after Lookout RdBus stop
- Grandview Rd at Marshall StBus 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Hollywood Parade ParkPark
- Straker ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 4
- Emergency department
- On site
- John Hunter Hospitalhospital
- Newcastle Private Hospitalhospital
- Rankin Park Centrehospital
- Royal Newcastle CentreLookout Roadhospital
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)
- 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Possum Placekindergarten
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)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- 50.2/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 29% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1906th in Australia
- State rank
- 613th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #218 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #422 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
- 121 Lookout Roadamenitiesbus_stop
- 37 Grandview Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 42 Grandview Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Cardiff Rd at Beverley Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Cardiff Rd opp Beverley Cresamenitiesbus_stop
- Carnley Av at Carisbrooke Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Charlestown Rd at Hurn Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Charlestown Rd opp Carnley Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Croudace Tea Houseamenitiescafe
- Grandview Rd after Lookout Rdamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- 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.