NSW · Shellharbour Council
Oak Flats, 2529
Current weather
13.5°CClear sky
66% humidity · 5.2 km/h wind · 20.2° / 9° today · 2.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- Dog friendly
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Shellharbour, Oak Flats is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and community and employment against similar metro suburbs, even with parks and green space and growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 6,840
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,488
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 112 of 2,651
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 53.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 229 / 390 / 52
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)
- $650
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $800
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $760
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 190
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)
- 555
- Against the person
- 97
- Against property
- 207
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 81.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 71 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.2th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +0.5%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions667
- Fraud135
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment161
- Steal From Motor Vehicle128
- Steal From Retail Store211
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
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 966.5
- Balarang Public SchoolPrimary
- Corpus Christi Catholic High SchoolSecondary
- Oak Flats High SchoolSecondary
- Oak Flats 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
97 public transport stops in this suburb
- CCP Stanford Dr 1
- CCP Stanford Dr 2
- ENT Stanford Dr
- Oak Flats Station
- Oak Flats Station, Stanford Drive
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).
366 planning-related records
2026· 26 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; General industry114 INDUSTRIAL ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure15 LEAMINGTON ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
- Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure1A DEAKIN STREET OAK FLATS 2529Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool36A TIMBS ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure47 GRIFFITHS STREET OAK FLATS 2529Under Assessment
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure35 PARKES STREET OAK FLATS 2529Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah7 KANA PLACE OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure2 NEWTON CRESCENT OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation65 DEAKIN STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure31 TARRA CRESCENT OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure14 BARTON STREET OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Swimming pool30 MALIN ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Demolition; Industrial development; Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure; General industry126 INDUSTRIAL ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure83 BARTON STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure28 LAKE ENTRANCE ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)6 HORSLEY ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure38 TARRA CRESCENT OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Demolition; Residential flat building; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Residential Accommodation4 52 HOPETOUN STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure65 BRIDGE AVENUE OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure87 LAKE ENTRANCE ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure10 LAKE ENTRANCE ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Under Assessment
- Home business; Hours of operation and trading17 MINDA CRESCENT OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external)122-124 BARTON STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation77 FISHER STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Subdivision; Minor building alterations (external)122-124 BARTON STREET OAK FLATS 2529Withdrawn
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)13 WATSON STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
2025· 14 proposals
December 2025
- Place of public worship; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure59-61 PARKES ST OAK FLATSDeferred Commencement
- Respite day care centre; Hours of operation and trading70 THE ESPLANADE OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Subdivision; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure18 TIMBS ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Determined
October 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure92 THE BOULEVARDE OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Demolition; Pub; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure4 GOVERNMENT ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure125 CENTRAL AVENUE OAK FLATS 2529Additional Information Requested
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached); Dual occupancy (detached)Lot 02, 8 Government Road Oak Flats NSW 2529Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)53 FISHER STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure106 WENTWORTH STREET OAK FLATS 2529Determined
September 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation51 HORSLEY ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Subdivision19 DAVID AVENUE OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure13 HORSLEY ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Determined
August 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure143 THE BOULEVARDE OAK FLATS 2529Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation33 LAKE ENTRANCE ROAD OAK FLATS 2529Determined
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
66 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Oak Flats Hot BreadBakery
- Bench (5)
- Bike Lockers - Oak Flats Station, Stanford DrBicycle Parking
- Central Ave after Fisher StBus stop
- Central Ave after Parkes StBus stop
- Central Ave opp Industrial RdBus stop
- Central Ave opp Madden StBus stop
- Deakin St before Central AveBus stop
- Kingston St opp Oak Flats Bowling ClubBus stop
- Lake Entrance Rd opp Eleanor AveBus 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
- Balarang ReservePark
- Hippisley ParkPark
- Jilba ParkPark
- Koona Bay ReservePark
- Nalong ParkPark
- Nob Hill ParkPark
- Oak ReservePark
- Ranyard ParkPark
- Skiway ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 1
- Emergency department
- On site
- Shellharbour Hospitalhospital
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)
- 3/10
- 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
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)
- 18
- Parks (OSM)
- 13
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
- 53.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 24% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1599th in Australia
- State rank
- 509th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #187 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #354 among Metro Sydney 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
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Bike Lockers - Oak Flats Station, Stanford Dramenitiesbicycle_parking
- Bloomz on Centralamenitiesflorist
- Cafeamenitiescafe
- Central Ave after Fisher Stamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Shellharbour Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.