SA · Alexandrina Council
Goolwa South, 5214
Current weather
10.6°CLight drizzle
79% humidity · 30.6 km/h wind · 13° / 10.6° today · 17.4 mm rain
Desirability score
Suburb snapshot
Goolwa South is a small locality in the Alexandrina area, home to around 1,041 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 33 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun) with falling year-on-year trends (-23%), roughly 31.7 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $510, fewer mapped amenities than nearby suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. See the sections below for population, safety, schools and local activity.
Population
- Population
- 1,041
- Median age
- 62
- Median household income / week
- $961
- Dwelling vacancy
- 52.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 556 of 1,052
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,134
- Employment rate
- 36.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 40 / 28 / 22
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
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $510
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 10
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. 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
- SA Housing Authority rent & sales reports — Government of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 33
- Against the person
- 5
- Against property
- 28
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 31.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 208 residents
- State safety percentile
- 46.2th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 36
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -23%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Theft8
- Property Damage By Fire Or Explosion4
- Sct - Non Residence3
- Sct - Residence6
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury3
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
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
198 planning-related records
2026· 14 proposals
June 2026
- Construction of two storey detached dwelling with garage15 HEWETT RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
May 2026
- Construction of a replacement single-storey detached dwelling12 BILLABONG RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
- Construction of an outbuilding (retrospective)14 JUMBUK RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
- Dwelling addition (balcony)1 HEWETT RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
- Removal of existing shed & installation of Strato storage shed27 DOWNER AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
- Construction of an Outbuilding (Garage)55 RIVERSIDE DR GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
April 2026
- Construction of a single storey detached dwelling and associated fencing32 JUMBUK RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
March 2026
- Construction of a carport61 COLMAN RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
February 2026
- Dwelling Addition comprising balcony, verandah and external staircase.15 SCOTT ST GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Land division creating one (1) additional allotment (1 into 2) Torrens Title11 RIVERSIDE DR GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
- Construct new single storey clubroom facilities (community facility) comprising boat house and storage of craft, with associated kitchen and toilet facilities. service yard, riverbank works including watercraft landing area, masonry entry feature with signage and associated landscapingLOT 8 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
January 2026
- Construction of an outbuilding (domestic storage)29 HEINICKE AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Upper Storey dwelling addition - balcony with verandah21 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding addition (domestic storage)27 SHEPHERD AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
2025· 26 proposals
December 2025
- Construction of a carport27 HEINICKE AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
November 2025
- Golf Driving Range Netting fencing 120m in length varying from 12m to 16m height.LOT 12 BILLABONG RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Replacement and extension of existing deck with pergola19 HEWETT RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
- Construction of an Outbuilding (garage)80 BEACH RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
October 2025
- carport9 LOVELL ST GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Spa pool and associated safety fence66 BEACH RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Boundary Realignment - Amendment to Strata Plan6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 1 6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 2 6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
September 2025
- Conversion of existing storage to ancillary accommodation6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 1 6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 2 6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of a carport11 SWEETMAN RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
August 2025
- Single storey detached dwelling and deck39 RIVERSIDE DR GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of a verandah58 BILLABONG RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
July 2025
- Stratco Gable Roof Shed 9199mm Length 6151mm Width 2700mm high7 SCOTT ST GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of a garage (outbuilding)65 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 1 65 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 2 65 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 3 65 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 4 65 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of a carport122 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of an Outbuilding (garage)107 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
June 2025
- Dwelling addition and verandah21 SWEETMAN RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding (domestic storage)23 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of a verandah1 COLMAN RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
May 2025
- Construction of a verandah16 GALPIN AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Front Balcony Repair12A BILLABONG RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Installation of x15 6m high light poles adjacent clubrooms.LOT 50 BILLABONG RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of a carport, deck, spa and associated safety features22 SCOTT ST GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of an outbuilding (garaport)14 HEINICKE AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
April 2025
- Dwelling addition (upper level deck extension)20 BRISTOW-SMITH AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Replacement of existing upper-level balcony (deck)16 SIR GEORGE RITCHIE AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Decision Made
- Construction of a two-storey detached dwelling30 CANT RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Under Assessment
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
2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Public toilets
- Slipway
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)
- 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
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)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- 22.3/100
- National rank
- 6275th in Australia
- State rank
- 640th in SA
- Peer rank
- #46 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #64 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 62%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Other Theftcrime8
- Property Damage By Fire Or Explosioncrime4
- Sct - Non Residencecrime3
- Sct - Residencecrime6
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime3
- Boundary Realignment - Amendment to Strata Planplanning6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 1 6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214;UNIT 2 6 MCKINNON RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Lodged 14 Oct 2025 · Decision Made
- Construct new single storey clubroom facilities (community facility) comprising boat house and storage of craft, with associated kitchen and toilet facilities. service yard, riverbank works including watercraft landing area, masonry entry feature with signage and associated landscapingplanningLOT 8 BARRAGE RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Lodged 02 Feb 2026 · Under Assessment
- Construction of a carportplanning61 COLMAN RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Lodged 24 Mar 2026 · Decision Made
- Construction of a carportplanning27 HEINICKE AV GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Lodged 15 Dec 2025 · Decision Made
- Construction of a carportplanning11 SWEETMAN RD GOOLWA SOUTH SA 5214Lodged 19 Sep 2025 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- 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
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.