NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Windale, 2306
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
- Excellent transport
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Windale is a practical mid-sized suburb in Lake Macquarie, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with a strong presence of young families throughout.
Everyday errands and local outings are straightforward, with the wider metro area adding variety. There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Buses and trains connect the area to surrounding suburbs, keeping the wider city within easy reach.
Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker community and employment and growth momentum against similar metro suburbs, even with housing affordability holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 3,421
- Median age
- 37
- Median household income / week
- $775
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 82 of 1,404
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,478
- Employment rate
- 29.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 127 / 224 / 108
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
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $625
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)
- 704
- Against the person
- 271
- Against property
- 177
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 205.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 13 residents
- State safety percentile
- 97.2th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +5.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order86
- Domestic Violence Related Assault68
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment107
- Malicious Damage To Property81
- Non-Domestic Violence Related Assault45
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 820
- St Pius X Primary SchoolPrimary
- Windale 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
83 public transport stops in this suburb
- Pacific Hwy After Murray St
- Pacific Hwy After Murray St
- Pacific Hwy At South St
- Pacific Hwy At South St
- Pacific Hwy Opp Groves 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).
41 planning-related records
2026· 2 proposals
May 2026
- Multi-dwelling housing; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support18 SOUTH STREET WINDALE 2306Under Assessment
April 2026
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space108 JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
2025· 11 proposals
October 2025
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation4 STURT STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space73 JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
July 2025
- Attached dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)1A JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Under Assessment
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation120 WILLANDRA CRESCENT WINDALE 2306Determined
June 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure25 BOREE AVENUE WINDALE 2306Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure28 MYALL STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Demolition; Erection of a new structure; Manufactured home; Non-standard Housing; Residential Accommodation120 WILLANDRA CRESCENT WINDALE 2306Determined
March 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure138 WILLANDRA CRESCENT WINDALE 2306Determined
January 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure56 SOUTH STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Subdivision11-39 CORONA STREET WINDALE 2306Under Assessment
- Service station; Hours of operation and trading4 LAKE STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
2024· 7 proposals
December 2024
- Registered club; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Recreation/Tourist Premise2A LAKE STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure2 JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
October 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure91 WILLANDRA CRESCENT WINDALE 2306Determined
May 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space136 SOUTH STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space71 MUNRO STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Registered club2A LAKE STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
February 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure108 JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
2023· 3 proposals
December 2023
- Dual occupancy; Medium Density Housing; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Residential Accommodation1A JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Withdrawn
March 2023
- Alterations and additions to commercial development2A LAKE STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
January 2023
- Shed2 WAKOOL STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
2022· 11 proposals
December 2022
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Alterations and additions to residential development; Garages, carports and car parking spaces49 JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
October 2022
- Group homes12 NEIKAH PLACE WINDALE 2306Determined
September 2022
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Garages, carports and car parking spaces54 SOUTH STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Garages, carports and car parking spaces108 JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
August 2022
- Shed2 NETLEY STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
July 2022
- Demolition2 LAKE STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Other12 LAKE STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
June 2022
- Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development66 WILLANDRA CRESCENT WINDALE 2306Determined
February 2022
- Dual occupancy2 MUNRO STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
- Multi-dwelling housing41 LACHLAN STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
January 2022
- Demolition; Alterations and additions to residential development66 WILLANDRA CRESCENT WINDALE 2306Determined
2021· 6 proposals
December 2021
- Subdivision of land2A CHERRY STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
November 2021
- Shed66 WILLANDRA CRESCENT WINDALE 2306Determined
October 2021
- Other25 JAMES STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
May 2021
- Alterations and additions to commercial development2A LAKE STREET WINDALE 2306Withdrawn
- Shed1 WILGA STREET WINDALE 2306Determined
April 2021
- Alterations and additions to residential development4 BOREE AVENUE WINDALE 2306Determined
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
63 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- TrekBicycle
Unit 3 20 Pacific Highway, Bennetts Green
- 19 Manfred AvBus stop
- 24 Manfred AvBus stop
- Anglican Parish Of Windale, Balemo CrescentBus stop
- Anglican Parish of Windale, Merrigum StBus stop
- Bahloo Reserve, Merrigum StBus stop
- Bahloo Reserve, South StBus stop
- Balemo Crescent at Danina WayBus stop
- Balemo Crescent at Neikah PlaceBus stop
- Balemo Crescent opposite Danina WayBus 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
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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)
- 6
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- 37.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3917th in Australia
- State rank
- 1236th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #270 among Metro Sydney · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #677 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
- 19 Manfred Avamenitiesbus_stop
- 24 Manfred Avamenitiesbus_stop
- AnacondaamenitiesUnit T1 20 Pacific Highway, Bennetts Greenoutdoor
- Anglican Parish Of Windale, Balemo Crescentamenitiesbus_stop
- Anglican Parish of Windale, Merrigum Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Bahloo Reserve, Merrigum Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Bahloo Reserve, South Stamenitiesbus_stop
- Balemo Crescent at Danina Wayamenitiesbus_stop
- Balemo Crescent at Neikah Placeamenitiesbus_stop
- Balemo Crescent opposite Danina Wayamenitiesbus_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.