NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Valentine, 2280
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
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Lake Macquarie, Valentine is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Daily life is practical and well connected, with the city and nearby suburbs easy to tap into. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Getting around the metro area is straightforward, with transport tying neighbouring communities together.
Housing carries a premium, but residents tend to feel the lifestyle justifies the commitment. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety against similar metro suburbs, even with housing affordability and community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 5,773
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $2,159
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 94 of 2,187
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,096
- Employment rate
- 60.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 131 / 238 / 12
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)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $700
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $650
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 128
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)
- 478
- Against the person
- 100
- Against property
- 143
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 82.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 58 residents
- State safety percentile
- 57.9th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +9.4%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions772
- Domestic Violence Related Assault124
- Fraud161
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment166
- Malicious Damage To Property135
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,071
- Valentine 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
133 public transport stops in this suburb
- Connaught Rd At Arundel Pl
- Connaught Rd Opp Parklea Av
- Gatts Farm Reserve, Regal Way
- Regal Way After Connaught Rd
- Regal Way Opp Trafalgar Cres
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
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksCroudace Bay Road (Macquarie Drive), Tallawalla 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).
238 planning-related records
2026· 14 proposals
June 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool10 MONARCH CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Under Assessment
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool; Supporting Development20 CAVALIER CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure45 LURNEA CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Subdivision6 KENTON CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Under Assessment
May 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Carport25 BERRINGAR ROAD VALENTINE 2280Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool31 CHRISTOPHER AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation100 DILKERA AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)31 LEICHHARDT ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool6 KENSINGTON CLOSE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support24 KENTON CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Determined
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support32 ALBERT STREET VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation88 DILKERA AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support8 PETER STREET VALENTINE 2280Determined
January 2026
- Subdivision63 CHRISTOPHER AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Withdrawn
2025· 26 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Carport36 LEICHHARDT ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure7 DILLWYNIA COURT VALENTINE 2280Determined
November 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies17A VALENTINE CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Additional Information Requested
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure23 LURNEA CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty; Boat launching ramp85 DILKERA AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
October 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation6 KENSINGTON CLOSE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Minor building alterations (external)128 DILKERA AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure11 FREDERICK STREET VALENTINE 2280Determined
September 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Landscaping structures18 AGINCOURT CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)15 CAVALIER CRESCENT VALENTINE 2280Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure35 ANDREW ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)8 BERRINGAR ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool17 CRUSADE CLOSE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool8 THE HILL VALENTINE 2280Determined
June 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3 KRAMBRUK ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Demolition27 BERRINGAR ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)74 ANDREW ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure157 ANDREW ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences10 BUCKINGHAM STREET VALENTINE 2280Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure85 DILKERA AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool27 CHRISTOPHER AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Residential Accommodation26 TALLAWALLA ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support18 WARWICK WAY VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure; Jetty91 DILKERA AVENUE VALENTINE 2280Determined
April 2025
- Multi-dwelling housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure15 BERRINGAR ROAD VALENTINE 2280Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool32 ALBERT STREET VALENTINE 2280Determined
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
53 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (4)
- Valentine Bowling ClubBeverages
- Andrew Rd after Berringar RdBus stop
- Andrew Rd at Croudace Bay RdBus stop
- Andrew Rd at Frederick StBus stop
- Andrew Rd at Minter StBus stop
- Andrew Rd at Roma RdBus stop
- Andrew Rd at Victor AvBus stop
- Andrew Rd before Berringar RdBus stop
- Andrew Rd before Leichhardt RdBus 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
- Allambee GardensNature reserve
- Moola ParkPark
- Narela ParkPark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- 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
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)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
- 44.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 40% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 2702nd in Australia
- State rank
- 859th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #52 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #541 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 78%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Andrew Rd after Berringar Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd at Croudace Bay Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd at Frederick Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd at Minter Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd at Roma Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd at Victor Avamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd before Berringar Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd before Leichhardt Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd before Redondo Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Andrew Rd opp Albert Stamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.