NSW · Northern Beaches Council
Scotland Island, 2105
Current weather
17°CClear sky
48% humidity · 17.5 km/h wind · 21.2° / 12.6° today · 2.8 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Northern Beaches, Scotland Island is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Still within reach of the city while offering more breathing room, it suits those who want balance over bustle. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Transport options are solid enough for daily errands and regular trips further afield. Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker housing affordability and local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment and parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 711
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $2,397
- Dwelling vacancy
- 23.2%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 78 of 336
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,600
- Employment rate
- 62%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 19 / 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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 57
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 24
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 80.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 237 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -24.8%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Malicious Damage To Property8
- Other Offences32
- Other Theft6
- Steal From Dwelling4
- Steal From Motor Vehicle6
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
8 public transport stops in this suburb
- Scotland Island, Bells Wharf
- Scotland Island, Carols Wharf
- Scotland Island, Eastern Wharf
- Scotland Island, Eastern Wharf
- Scotland Island, Tennis Wharf
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).
74 planning-related records
2026· 4 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Stairway; Supporting Development119 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development33 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation3 KEVIN AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Additional Information Requested
March 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp7 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
2025· 6 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure47 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
September 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation43 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
August 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation87 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Deferred Commencement
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty; Mooring Pen9 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Deferred Commencement
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support17 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
January 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support55 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
2024· 17 proposals
November 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure119 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 HAROLD AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Deferred Commencement
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure3 HAROLD AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure91 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure89 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Access ramp13 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
August 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Stairway109 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure89 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
June 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development43 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Access ramp13 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure119 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
April 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty41 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp61 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
March 2024
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Access ramp; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support17 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
January 2024
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure43 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
2023· 13 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
October 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support55 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure118 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
August 2023
- Port, wharf, boating facilities107 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development121 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Alterations and additions to residential development47 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs91 RICHARD ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development61 ROBERTSON ROAD SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
July 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Retaining walls, protection of trees7 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing3 HAROLD AVENUE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Withdrawn
- Port, wharf, boating facilities17 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
June 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development5 THOMPSON STREET SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
April 2023
- Port, wharf, boating facilities49 FLORENCE TERRACE SCOTLAND ISLAND 2105Determined
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
10 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bbq
- Bench
- Cargo WharfFerry Terminal
- Carols WharfFerry Terminal
- Eastern WharfFerry Terminal
- Scotland Island Rural Fire BrigadeFire station
Catherine Park, Scotland Island
- Picnic Table (2)
- Northern Beaches CouncilPlayground
- Telephone
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
- Catherine ParkPark
- Elizabeth ParkPark
- Harold ReservePark
- Leahvera ReservePark
- Pathilda ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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
- 26.1/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5909th in Australia
- State rank
- 1847th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #123 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #824 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
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Benchamenitiesbench
- Cargo Wharfamenitiesferry_terminal
- Carols Wharfamenitiesferry_terminal
- Eastern Wharfamenitiesferry_terminal
- Northern Beaches Councilamenitiesplayground
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Picnic Tableamenitiespicnic_table
- Scotland Island Rural Fire BrigadeamenitiesCatherine Park, Scotland Islandfire_station
- Telephoneamenitiestelephone
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Northern Beaches Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.