NSW · Ballina Council
West Ballina, 2478
Current weather
18.5°COvercast
86% humidity · 6.2 km/h wind · 21.1° / 15.2° today · 0.1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- High desirability
Suburb profile
West Ballina anchors everyday life in Ballina, a regional mid-sized suburb with its own identity and rhythm. The community is self-contained in the best sense. Local life comes first, with the region opening up beyond. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.
An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees. Weekends tend to revolve around local favourites: a café, a market run, a walk through town. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment and safety lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in housing affordability and parks and green space.
Population
- Population
- 3,230
- Median age
- 54
- Median household income / week
- $1,015
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 72 of 1,457
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,863
- Employment rate
- 41.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 98 / 261 / 54
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)
- $595
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $850
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $755
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 236
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)
- 303
- Against the person
- 58
- Against property
- 162
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 93.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 66th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +12.9%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Bail Conditions342
- Fraud335
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment155
- Malicious Damage To Property240
- Steal From Retail Store305
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
162 public transport stops in this suburb
- Claire Cct After Horizon Dr
- Horizon Dr Before Newland St
- Newland St At Horizon Dr
- River St Before Quays Dr
- Westland Dr Before Claire Cct
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
2 active roadworks / incidents
- Allow extra travel time. Follow directions on site. Expect delays.Kalinga Street, Riverview Ave26 Jun 2026 – 01 Jul 2026
- Follow directions on site. Use an alternative route. <ul><li>No access to Boatharbour Road from River Street. (No left turn)</li><li>No access to River Street from Boatharbour Road (No right turn).</li></ul>Boatharbour Road, River Street09 Jun 2026 – 15 Feb 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).
137 planning-related records
2026· 13 proposals
June 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure44 KALINGA STREET WEST BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Advertising structure; Freight transport facility66 TEVEN ROAD WEST BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
- Erection of a new structure; Carport73 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
May 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool28 HAYMAN STREET WEST BALLINA 2478Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development112 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure48 DOLPHIN DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; School62 HORIZON DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool29 LEACH CRESCENT WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
March 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool27 LEACH CRESCENT WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Demolition; Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Home occupation25 HOWARD CRESCENT WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Hardware and building supply507 RIVER STREET WEST BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
February 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty117 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport18 DOLPHIN DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
2025· 27 proposals
December 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Early Education and Care Facility; Centre-based child care; Community facility; Other Infrastructure10 HAYMAN STREET WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure23 QUAYS DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
November 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool59 BURNS POINT FERRY ROAD WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Demolition; Signage; 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 Australia; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Garage, carport or carparking space; Recreation facility (indoor)28 SMITH DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Under Assessment
October 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Carport; Minor building alterations (external); Supporting Development96 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; School62 HORIZON DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure117 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
August 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Fences; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation; Supporting Development112 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation39 BURNS POINT FERRY ROAD WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Subdivision445-455 RIVER STREET WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure42 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
June 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Carport; Residential Accommodation9 HORIZON DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Shop top housing; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Light industry449 RIVER STREET WEST BALLINADetermined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool5 BOATHARBOUR ROAD WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure8 LEACH CRESCENT WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Advertising and signage; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space; Advertising structure; Freight transport facility66 TEVEN ROAD WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
May 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Stairway; Residential Accommodation78 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Highway service centre41 BRUXNER HIGHWAY WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Warehouse or distribution centre; Erection of a new structure31 KALINGA STREET WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Jetty70 DOLPHIN DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
April 2025
- Shop top housing; Office Premise; Erection of a new structure; Light industry449 RIVER STREET WEST BALLINADetermined
March 2025
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Home occupation; Entertainment associated with existing premises25 HOWARD CRESCENT WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation60 DOLPHIN DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Water recreation structure44 DOLPHIN DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Fences1 20 HORIZON DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
January 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Swimming pool40 HORIZON DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure139 RIVERSIDE DRIVE WEST BALLINA 2478Determined
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
45 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bbq (2)
- Hibiscus Gardens Caravan Park, River StBus stop
- Horizon Dr after Newland StBus stop
- Horizon Dr at Claire CctBus stop
- Pacific Highway at Emigrant Creek LaneBus stop
- Quays Dr before Kalinga StBus stop
- River St before Quays DrBus stop
- River St opp Waterfront VillageBus stop
- Sunset Ave after River StBus stop
- Westland Dr and Horizon DrBus 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
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Faulks ReservePark
- Kimi ParkPark
- Paringa ParkPark
- Porter ParkPark
- Quays ReservePark
- Riverside ParkPark
- weerama parkPark
- westlands reservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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
- childcarechildcare
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)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 14
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
- 55.4/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 21% of New South Wales' suburbs
- National rank
- 1323rd in Australia
- State rank
- 435th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #26 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #79 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 76%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- BPamenitiesfuel
- BPamenitiesRiver Streetfuel
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- Blue Skyamenitiesoutdoor
- Camp kitchenamenitieskitchen
- Clothes Dryeramenitiesclothes_dryer
- Compressed Airamenitiescompressed_air
- Convenience storeamenitiesconvenience
- Hibiscus Gardens Caravan Park, River Stamenitiesbus_stop
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Ballina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.