NSW · Cessnock Council
Sawyers Gully, 2326
Current weather
16.3°CClear sky
66% humidity · 11.5 km/h wind · 21.5° / 13.2° today · 3.3 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Set among the hills of Cessnock, Sawyers Gully is a smaller community with bushland views and a cooler, leafier feel. Still within reach of the city while offering more breathing room, it suits those who want balance over bustle. Elevated streets and bushland backdrops bring a sense of fresh country air to daily life.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, 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. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Reasonable public transport access helps with commuting and getting around locally. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
The desirability score is below average, pulled down chiefly by weaker housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities relative to similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 542
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $1,847
- Dwelling vacancy
- 0%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 0 of 171
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 60.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 15 / 0 / 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
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $520
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)
- 48
- Against the person
- 16
- Against property
- 22
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 88.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 34 residents
- State safety percentile
- 62th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -10.9%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault51
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment91
- Malicious Damage To Property80
- Motor Vehicle Theft55
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault41
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
Public transport
16 public transport stops in this suburb
- Old Maitland Rd Before Majors Lane
- Old Maitland Rd Opp James Lane
- Old Maitland Rd Opp Majors Lane
- Sawyers Gully Rd After Old Maitland Rd
- Sawyers Gully Rd Opp Bakers Lane
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).
37 planning-related records
2025· 6 proposals
December 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house94 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support431 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
November 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure358 BATHURST STREET SAWYERS GULLY 2326Under Assessment
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure94 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
April 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure109 JAMES LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool342 BATHURST STREET SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
2024· 7 proposals
December 2024
- Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia983 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure317 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure348 BATHURST STREET SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
June 2024
- Farm buildings; Erection of a new structure78 LUMBY LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
April 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure44 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
February 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure348 BATHURST STREET SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space142 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
2023· 5 proposals
August 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces142 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
June 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces142 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
April 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development60 METCALFE LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
February 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing176 GINGERS LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
- Subdivision of land342 BATHURST STREET SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
2022· 8 proposals
December 2022
- Dwelling109 JAMES LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing1149 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
November 2022
- Change of use241 FRAME DRIVE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
- Other241 FRAME DRIVE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Withdrawn
August 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing194 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
May 2022
- Subdivision of land342 BATHURST STREET SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
April 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development60 METCALFE LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
January 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development1190 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
2021· 5 proposals
December 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs215 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
October 2021
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Garages, carports and car parking spaces241 FRAME DRIVE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
September 2021
- Dwelling42 AIRD LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
August 2021
- Demolition194 SAWYERS GULLY ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
February 2021
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs44 AIRD LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
2020· 6 proposals
November 2020
- Shed404 MAJORS LANE SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
July 2020
- Pools / decks / fencing1487 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing1631 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
February 2020
- Dual occupancy1319 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
January 2020
- Other1190 Old Maitland Road Sawyers Gully, 2326Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing1601 OLD MAITLAND ROAD SAWYERS GULLY 2326Determined
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
6 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Old Maitland Rd Before Majors LaneBus stop
- Old Maitland Rd Opp Majors LaneBus stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd After Old Maitland RdBus stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd At Bakers LaneBus stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd Before Old Maitland RdBus stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd Opp Bakers LaneBus 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)
- 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
- 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)
- 25
- 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
- 20.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6532nd in Australia
- State rank
- 2040th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #414 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #864 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Old Maitland Rd Before Majors Laneamenitiesbus_stop
- Old Maitland Rd Opp Majors Laneamenitiesbus_stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd After Old Maitland Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd At Bakers Laneamenitiesbus_stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd Before Old Maitland Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Sawyers Gully Rd Opp Bakers Laneamenitiesbus_stop
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime51
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime91
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime80
- Motor Vehicle Theftcrime55
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 Cessnock Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.