NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Warners Bay, 2282
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
- High desirability
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
In Lake Macquarie, Warners Bay is a settled established suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Well placed between the city and outer suburbs, it offers practical access in every direction. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Homes here are sought-after, with many people drawn to the lifestyle the area offers.
On the desirability index, the suburb rates good overall, led by growth momentum and schools and education, while safety and local dining and lifestyle amenities sit closer to the middle of the pack for similar metro suburbs.
Population
- Population
- 8,237
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $1,494
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 196 of 3,586
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,058
- Employment rate
- 55.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 246 / 783 / 302
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)
- $670
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $760
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $748
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 76
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)
- 313
- Against the person
- 77
- Against property
- 195
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 38
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 107 residents
- State safety percentile
- 13.5th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.3%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault43
- Fraud72
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment44
- Malicious Damage To Property68
- Steal From Motor Vehicle69
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)
- 1,060.5
- Biddabah Public SchoolPrimary
- St Mary's Primary SchoolPrimary
- Warners Bay High SchoolSecondary
- Warners Bay 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
179 public transport stops in this suburb
- King St After Howard St
- The Esplanade After Macquarie Dr
- The Esplanade At James St
- The Esplanade Before Warners Bay Rd
- The Esplanade Opp Warners Bay 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)
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- RoadworksHillsborough Road, Barker Ave14 Jun 2026 – 30 Oct 2027
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).
472 planning-related records
2026· 39 proposals
June 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support3 AUGUSTA STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Carport; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development61 EAST STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool37 CHELSTON STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Additional Information Requested
- Commercial development; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure240-260 HILLSBOROUGH ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Light industry212-214 MACQUARIE ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Additional Information Requested
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool98 MYLES AVENUE WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation15 TAYLOR CRESCENT WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
April 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation10 CAMPBELL STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Demolition; Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure3 MARTIN STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Under Assessment
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Light industry5 WALKER STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures); Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support112 MYLES AVENUE WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
March 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah16 KANANGRA STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure22 CHARLES STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Under Assessment
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)6 WELLINGS STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Under Assessment
- Residential flat building; Erection of a new structure51 ALBERT STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure69 MEDCALF STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool9 BERYL STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure8 CHARLES STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Industrial development; Subdivision; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; General industry204 MACQUARIE ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 BERYL STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing; Medium Density Housing; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation22 QUEEN STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure69 WARNERS BAY ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 EAST STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure96 FAIRFAX ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool5 JAMES STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
February 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure30 BERYL STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Under Assessment
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation91 WARNERS BAY ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure47 MARTIN STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Retail Premise; Kiosk568 THE ESPLANADE WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Seniors housing; Erection of a new structure280 HILLSBOROUGH ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Erection of a new structure9 JANICE STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure25 PANORAMA PARADE WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Demolition6 BERYL STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
January 2026
- Demolition; Dwelling house17 STARLING STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure32 JONATHAN STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dual occupancy; Demolition; Subdivision; Dual occupancy (detached); Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation16 WELLINGS STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure69 MEDCALF STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure4 VINCENT STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
- Subdivision318 HILLSBOROUGH ROAD WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
2025· 1 proposal
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation18 CHELSTON STREET WARNERS BAY 2282Determined
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
183 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Alcohol
- BWSAlcohol
- LiquorlandAlcohol
- Arts centre
- CommonwealthATM
- Auto Electrician
- NABBank
- The Bay ArcadeBank
- BarcadiaBar
- Bench (13)
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
- Allen ParkPark
- Chartley Street ReservePark
- Leo ParkPark
- Park or reserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 5
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Amcalpharmacy
- Guardianpharmacy
- Laverty Pathologyclinic
- SmilesHQKing Streetdentist
- Warners Bay Medical Centredoctor
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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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)
- 19
- 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
- 70.9/100 — Excellent
- State standing
- Top 4% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 164th in Australia
- State rank
- 65th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #3 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #43 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
- 319 Hillsborough Rdamenitiesbus_stop
- Alcoholamenitiesalcohol
- Amcalamenitiespharmacy
- Ampol Foodaryamenitiesfuel
- Arts centreamenitiesarts_centre
- Australia Postamenitiespost_office
- Auto Electricianamenitiesauto electrician
- Autobarnamenitiescar_parts
- BP Warners Bayamenitiesfuel
- BWSamenitiesalcohol
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.