NSW · Newcastle Council
Shortland, 2307
Current weather
17.5°CClear sky
65% humidity · 12.2 km/h wind · 21.9° / 12.6° today · 2.5 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Cycling
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Newcastle, Shortland 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. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
The community skews younger, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.
Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker safety and community and employment against similar metro suburbs, even with housing affordability and parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 4,537
- Median age
- 33
- Median household income / week
- $1,344
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 115 of 1,978
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,679
- Employment rate
- 54.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 120 / 527 / 33
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)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 64
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)
- 369
- Against the person
- 116
- Against property
- 166
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 81.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 39 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.4th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +37.6%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault41
- Fraud38
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment39
- Malicious Damage To Property41
- Steal From Motor Vehicle26
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 (3 schools)
- 926
- Awabakal Environmental Education CentreCombined
- Margaret Jurd CollegeSpecial
- Our Lady of Victories Primary SchoolPrimary
- Shortland 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
84 public transport stops in this suburb
- 448 Sandgate Rd
- 449 Sandgate Rd
- King St Before Marton St
- King St Opp Cora Pl
- Marton St At Sandgate Rd
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).
120 planning-related records
2026· 11 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure390 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space21 BARDIA ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Landscaping structures33 SHEARWATER DRIVE SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure12 MILNE STREET SHORTLAND 2307Additional Information Requested
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)20A MARTON STREET SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)7 SPOONBILL AVENUE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Semi-detached dwelling104 KING STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Subdivision269 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
March 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure54 CONMURRA CIRCUIT SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development130 KING STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
February 2026
- Secondary dwelling; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia29 RABAUL STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
2025· 18 proposals
November 2025
- Seniors housing; Independent living units; Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure33 SHEARWATER DRIVE SHORTLAND 2307Under Assessment
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure42 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Telecommunications facility1 WETLANDS PLACE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
September 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure26 MORT STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation204 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Erection of a new structure355 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
August 2025
- Demolition46 LOVELL PARADE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure41 ALISTER STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure63 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure46 LOVELL PARADE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation150A MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
May 2025
- Subdivision35 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)25 TOBRUK CRESCENT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Signage; Advertising and signage360 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure15 LIBYA STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
February 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation378 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
January 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation378 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Withdrawn
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport48 CONMURRA CIRCUIT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
2024· 11 proposals
December 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)25 RUFOUS CRESCENT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces7 CORAL SEA AVENUE SHORTLAND 2307Determined
October 2024
- Subdivision255 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)25 RUFOUS CRESCENT SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Subdivision255 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Withdrawn
September 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; School360 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
August 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space3 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
July 2024
- Subdivision255 SANDGATE ROAD SHORTLAND 2307Determined
June 2024
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure138 MARSDEN STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
April 2024
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)22 MORT STREET SHORTLAND 2307Determined
- Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)25 Tobruk Cres, Shortland NSW 2307Determined
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
110 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Alcohol
- Bbq (3)
- Bench (13)
- Outdoor Classroom & Wedding ChapelBench
- Bicycle Parking
- 448 Sandgate RdBus stop
- 449 Sandgate RdBus stop
- 54 Marsden StBus stop
- 67 Marsden StBus stop
- 72 Blanch 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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Cook ParkPark
- Lyall ParkPark
- Milne ParkPark
- Tuxford 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
- Hunter Valley Private 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)
- 3/10
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
- Shortland Pre-Schoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site
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)
- 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
- 48.0/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 33% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2186th in Australia
- State rank
- 688th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #190 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #463 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
- 448 Sandgate Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 449 Sandgate Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- 54 Marsden Stamenitiesbus_stop
- 67 Marsden Stamenitiesbus_stop
- 72 Blanch Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Alcoholamenitiesalcohol
- Andy's Take Away Fish & Chipsamenitiesfast_food
- Astra St before Sandgate Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Awabakal Environmental Education Centre - Wetlands Campusamenities412 Sandgate Road, Shortlandschool
- Bardia Rd after Sandgate 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.