SA · Barossa Council
Cockatoo Valley, 5351
Current weather
9.8°CDense drizzle
92% humidity · 22.6 km/h wind · 12.3° / 8.8° today · 11.6 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Premium
- Rural
- Established
- Residential
- Amenities
Suburb profile
Cockatoo Valley is a quieter smaller community in Barossa, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Close enough to visit the capital for a day trip, yet far enough away to keep a distinctly local pace. Open skies and rolling countryside set a calm backdrop to everyday routines.
Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. 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.
On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and parks and green space lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in transport and access and housing affordability. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 714
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $2,489
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 11 of 239
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,963
- Employment rate
- 69.9%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 9 / 0 / 0
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.
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 7
- Against the person
- 3
- Against property
- 4
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 9.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 238 residents
- State safety percentile
- 7.6th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 31
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -22%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Obtain Benefit By Deception1
- Sct - Non Residence1
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury1
- Theft/Illegal Use Of Mv1
- Threatening Behaviour2
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 993
- Sandy Creek Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 993
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Roadworks & transport
5 active roadworks / incidents
- Road ReconstructionWilliamstown Road, Yettie Rd18 Mar 2026 – 16 Jul 2026
- Road ReconstructionWilliamstown Road, Balmoral Rd18 Mar 2026 – 16 Jul 2026
- Road ReconstructionWilliamstown Road, Pimpala Rd18 Mar 2026 – 16 Jul 2026
- Tree PruningWilliamstown Road, Creek Rd18 Jun 2026 – 02 Jul 2026
- Tree PruningWilliamstown Road, Pimpala Rd18 Jun 2026 – 02 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Traffic SA road events — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
94 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
June 2026
- Construction of an outbuilding3 PINK GUM DR COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Two (2) decks associated with shack measuring 6.5m x 1.65m x 500mm height and 1.1m x 1.8m x 500mm height.345 PIMPALA RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Under Assessment
- Freestanding verandah / pergola measuring 3.8m x 2.9m x 2.4m high345 PIMPALA RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
May 2026
- Building comprising an agricultural building and single storey dwelling with carportLOT 20 WOODLANDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Under Assessment
- Installation of a fibreglass pool, spa and safety features619 BALMORAL RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Outbuilding (shed) measuring 15.2m x 7m x 3.6m wall height open on two sides136 WOODLANDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
April 2026
- Verandah to rear of dwelling to extend existing verandah149 THE BARRACKS COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
February 2026
- Dwelling addition to side of existing dwelling360 WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
January 2026
- Construction of a Shed to be used for Domestic Storage and Ancillary Accommodation (Rumpus Room) - 22m x 9m x 4.2m wall height, with the relocation of the existing carport and rainwater tank.50 THE BARRACKS COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
2025· 19 proposals
November 2025
- Construction of an Agricultural Building - 21m x 9m x 3.5m wall height.LOT 363 SANDLAND RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
October 2025
- Construction of a Carport (measuring 6.3m x 6m x 2.4m post height)19D GOLDFIELDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of a Dwelling Addition to an existing dwelling, inclusive of a carport, alfresco, verandah, and new wet areas, and the repurposing of an existing outbuilding to be converted to Ancillary Accommodation.189 WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of a garage addition (measuring 11m x 10.22m x 2.7m wall height) to existing dwelling & construction of an outbuilding structure (measuring 6.5m x 6.5m x 3m wall height) associated to existing pool and associated pool fencing works43 MIDDLETON RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Under Assessment
- Land Division – 1 into 2 (Torrens Title)LOT 2 SPECK RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Under Assessment
September 2025
- Expansion of existing Horticulture (Olive Orchard); Installation of two Rain Water Tanks (246,000 litre capacity each)LOT 14 WOODLANDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding - 18.1m x 6.045m x 3.53m roof height (apex).215B COCKATOO LANE COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding - 21.96m x 9.20m x 5.78m high (apex)189 WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
August 2025
- Construction of an ancillary accommodation building34 AUSTIN CR COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Decommissioning of existing detached dwelling (due to fire damage) and change of use of existing outbuilding to dwelling (temporarily until main dwelling is rebuilt)319 WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
June 2025
- Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, including internal reconfiguration, construction of verandahs and an alfresco area, and the addition of new wet areas such as a bathroom, ensuite, WC, laundry, and mudroom, along with associated site works.196 COCKATOO LANE COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of a 12.4m X 7.8m X 3.6m (wall height) shed290 WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding comprising a studio, gym, store room, and verandah/deck area, to be used for ancillary purposes associated with the existing dwelling.12 TARCA CT COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding (shed) 16m x 20m x 4.5m wall height360 WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Storage shed flat roof 6.151 x 9.199 x 2.7m high151C WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
April 2025
- Construction of Gara-port (6.1m * 9.15m * 3.74m post height)54 GOLDFIELDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
March 2025
- Construction of verandah 3.85m *9.6m * 2.8m post height49 SIMS RUSH LANE COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Veranda patio186 WOODLANDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
February 2025
- Stratco Outback Carport46 MIDDLETON RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
2024· 12 proposals
December 2024
- Alterations to existing dwelling including conversion of garage and alfresco to habitable areas46 MIDDLETON RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- New storage shed15 BLUE GUM CT COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
November 2024
- Construction of Verandah (measuring 6.5m x 11.3m x 2.5 m post height)215C COCKATOO LANE COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
October 2024
- Construction of outbuilding - domestic storage (measuring 9.2m x 15.2m x 4.3m wall height)583 BALMORAL RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of detached dwelling with garage under main roof and associated verandahs and domestic outbuildingLOT 6 BALMORAL RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Under Assessment
September 2024
- Fibreglass swimming pool & associated safety barrier46 MIDDLETON RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of outbuilding - Shed (measuring 28.0m x 9.3m x 4.0m wall height)607 BALMORAL RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Variation to DA 23015775 - Demolition and replacement of dormitories H and F (instead of being temporarily relocated) and removal of conditions 14 and 15614A BALMORAL RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Installation of a Rain Water Tank (172, 529 litre capacity)291 WILLIAMSTOWN RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Under Assessment
July 2024
- Build two new verandahs to both left & right of existing main residence22 TARCA CT COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of a verandah (measuring 5.2m x 17.74m x 3.1m post height)19D GOLDFIELDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
- Construction of outbuilding (measuring 12.0m x 18.2m x 5.0m wall height)44 GOLDFIELDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Decision Made
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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)
- 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
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Heritage placeState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 0
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
- 48.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 23% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 1922nd in Australia
- State rank
- 158th in SA
- Peer rank
- #12 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #24 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 70%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Obtain Benefit By Deceptioncrime1
- Sct - Non Residencecrime1
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime1
- Theft/Illegal Use Of Mvcrime1
- Threatening Behaviourcrime2
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, including internal reconfiguration, construction of verandahs and an alfresco area, and the addition of new wet areas such as a bathroom, ensuite, WC, laundry, and mudroom, along with associated site works.planning196 COCKATOO LANE COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Lodged 25 Jun 2025 · Decision Made
- Alterations to existing dwelling including conversion of garage and alfresco to habitable areasplanning46 MIDDLETON RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Lodged 12 Dec 2024 · Decision Made
- Build two new verandahs to both left & right of existing main residenceplanning22 TARCA CT COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Lodged 25 Jul 2024 · Decision Made
- Building comprising an agricultural building and single storey dwelling with carportplanningLOT 20 WOODLANDS RD COCKATOO VALLEY SA 5351Lodged 29 May 2026 · Under Assessment
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Updated on site
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
More in Barossa Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.