SA · West Torrens Council
Novar Gardens, SA, 5040
Current weather
12.6°CThunderstorm
78% humidity · 29.9 km/h wind · 13.8° / 11.8° today · 27.7 mm rain
Desirability score
Suburb snapshot
Novar Gardens is a smaller suburban community in the West Torrens area, home to around 2,508 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 185 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun) with falling year-on-year trends (-7%), roughly 73.8 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $700 (flats $630, houses $700), median house prices near $1,505,000 (up 22% recently), strong public transport coverage with many Adelaide Metro stops, a reasonable spread of amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. See the sections below for population, safety, schools and local activity.
Population
- Population
- 2,508
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,468
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 67 of 1,003
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,060
- Employment rate
- 49.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 38 / 189 / 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.
Housing
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $630
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $700
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $700
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 5
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,505,000
- Median price change
- +22.4%
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; 1Q 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 185
- Against the person
- 50
- Against property
- 135
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 73.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 50 residents
- State safety percentile
- 77.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 38
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -6.8%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental40
- Other Theft22
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent12
- Sct - Residence21
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury27
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
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 1,118.5
- Immanuel CollegeSecondary · ICSEA 1117
- Immanuel Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1120
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
15 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 15C Morphett Rd - West side
- Stop 15D Morphett Rd - West side
- Stop 17 St Andrews Cres - East side
- Stop 18 St Andrews Cres - North side
- Stop 18 St Andrews Cres - South side
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
203 planning-related records
2026· 21 proposals
June 2026
- Dwelling Addition35 WINDERMERE AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Garage for residential household storage12 ST CLOUD ST NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
May 2026
- Front proch/verandah12 SHEPHARD CT NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Removal (retrospective) of regulated Canary Island Date Palm tree7 DONCASTER AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
April 2026
- Two-storey detached dwellingLOT A SHEPHARD CT NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Tree-damaging activity (Crown modification pruning).9 ST CLOUD ST NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Partial demolition of existing dwelling and additions to the rear of existing dwelling, including an alfresco.18 SHEOAK AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Swimming Pool and Safety Fence17 ST CLOUD ST NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Single storey dwelling alterations and additions14 SYCAMORE AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Verandah to rear of dwelling13 CYGNET ST NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- New swimming pool and associated swimming pool safety features4 CYGNET ST NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Land division - Torrens - 1 into 2 allotments; and removal of a Significant tree (Agonis flexuosa) and two Regulated trees (Callistemon sp. and Ulmus parvifolia)24 ST ANDREWS CR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
March 2026
- Community title land division- one (1) into two (2) allotments with a common sewer area18 OAKMONT CR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Fitout of existing pharmacy122 -126 MORPHETT RD NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Verandah17 BARTLETT DR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Building Alterations and Dwelling Extension7 HOYLAKE ST NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Building alterations to existing theatre, including a roof-mounted mechanical air-conditioning unit and associated ductwork32 -76 MORPHETT RD NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Swimming Pool and associated swimming pool safety features20 PINE AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
February 2026
- Swimming pool & safety fences90 BONYTHON AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
January 2026
- Removal of a Significant tree (Corymbia ficifolia)20 OAKMONT CR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Verandah12 SARATOGA DR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
2025· 19 proposals
December 2025
- Carport15 MONTANA DR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Shed (replacement of existing - RETROSPECTIVE).9 NAGLE CR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
November 2025
- Partial demolition of existing dwelling, demolition of ancillary structure, alterations to existing garage and a single storey dwelling addition16 PINE AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
October 2025
- Two storey detached dwelling14 NAGLE CR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
- Complete refurbishment of 2 sets of toilet facilities in the Middle School.32 -76 MORPHETT RD NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Proposed Development Details current fence to be removed from front and side yard. back yard boundary fence to be extended full length of back and side boundary to wrap around the yard stopping in line with the front of the house and then adjoining to house. Double Gate to be installed on southern boudary for vehicle access, access gate to be installed on the new northern fence line adjoining the house. Proposal is to follow the current fenceline next to the intersetion for the installation. fen6 ST ANDREWS CR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
September 2025
- Addition to existing educational establishment in the form of the construction of a 'Learning Pod'.24 MORPHETT RD NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Internal upgrades to existing 2-storey boarding house facility.32 -76 MORPHETT RD NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Swimming pool and safety fencing.8 SUNNINGDALE AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Construction of two (2) single storey detached dwellings18 OAKMONT CR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- full removal of dying Significant reserve tree483 -489 ANZAC HWY NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
August 2025
- 2 x single storey attached units - Repair & rebuildUNIT 27-51 9 MONTREAL AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Removal of two (2) regulated trees and the pruning of one (1) significant tree as part of Glenelg Golf Course's course enhancement program.20 -118 JAMES MELROSE RD NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Construction of storage shed483 -489 ANZAC HWY NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Dwelling addition/alteration and modification of existing crossover1 DONCASTER AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Under Assessment
July 2025
- Outbuilding (garage) and the removal of a Significant Callistemon Viminalis (Bottle Brush)17 BARTLETT DR NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
June 2025
- Removal of regulated street tree3 ST CLOUD ST NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
- Verandah17 MILLER CT NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision Made
May 2025
- Installation of temporary prefabricated ancillary accommodation, in the form of a detached habitable room for emergency accommodationUNIT 37-50 210 MORPHETT RD NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Decision 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
37 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (2)
- Stop 15A Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 15B Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 15C Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 15D Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 15M Morphett Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 16 Anzac Highway - North sideBus stop
- Stop 16 Hoylake Street - North sideBus stop
- Stop 16 Hoylake Street - South sideBus stop
- Stop 17 St Andrews Crescent - East sideBus 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)
- 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
Heritage
4 state heritage places
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- Heritage placeState heritage
- 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
- No overlay at centroid
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)
- 10
- Parks (OSM)
- 10
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
- 57.0/100
- National rank
- 1016th in Australia
- State rank
- 52nd in SA
- Peer rank
- #5 among Metro Adelaide · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #40 among Metro Adelaide suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime40
- Other Theftcrime22
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intentcrime12
- Sct - Residencecrime21
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime27
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- 2 x single storey attached units - Repair & rebuildplanningUNIT 27-51 9 MONTREAL AV NOVAR GARDENS SA 5040Lodged 21 Aug 2025 · Decision Made
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
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.