SA · Grant Council
Port Macdonnell, SA, 5291
Current weather
13.1°CLight drizzle
86% humidity · 27.1 km/h wind · 15.5° / 10.3° today · 9.5 mm rain
Desirability index
#115 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Port Macdonnell is a small locality in the Grant area, home to around 859 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show reported crime totals of around 22 offences in 2024–25 (Jul–Jun), roughly 25.6 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $400, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 859
- Median age
- 53
- Median household income / week
- $1,288
- Dwelling vacancy
- 39.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 224 of 569
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 51.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 19 / 11 / 4
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)
- $400
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
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)
- 22
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 18
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 25.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 215 residents
- State safety percentile
- 37th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 42
- Year-on-year change
- 0%
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental4
- Other Theft6
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent2
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury4
- Theft From Motor Vehicle3
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2024-25; 2024-25 → 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
184 planning-related records
2026· 22 proposals
June 2026
- Detached Dwelling11 NAUTILUS DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
- Detached Dwelling and OutbuildingLOT 33 EIGHT MILE CREEK RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
- Dwelling alterations with upper level balconies, deck and external stairs1 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (Garage) and Carport26 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
May 2026
- Outbuilding (Shelter) over existing Fish Cleaning Tables12 BOAT RAMP ACCS PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
April 2026
- Detached DwellingLOT 15 LITHGOWS RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
- Outbuilding (Garage/Carport)27 COMPTON ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Carport434 EIGHT MILE CREEK RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Carport extension23 CHURCH ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Land Division (1 into 2) to excise an existing dwelling102 YOUNGS RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Land Division - Boundary Realignment37 MILSTEAD ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291;50 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
March 2026
- Land Division - Boundary Realignment60 DINGLEY DELL RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291;68 DINGLEY DELL RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Outbuilding with amenities7 SMITHS RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Dwelling Addition6 -8 COWRIE CT PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Factory Extensions - new Kitchen, Staff Room and Chiller8 ELIZABETH ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Detached Dwelling and Outbuilding23 NAUTILUS DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
- Detached Dwelling, Carport and Outbuilding with amenities5 NAUTILUS DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Under Assessment
February 2026
- Retaining wall up to 2m high (retrospective)19 -21 SMITHS RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Replacement Building for storage of Boat20 COMPTON ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
January 2026
- Land Division (1 into 3)2 PASCOE RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- In-ground Swimming Pool (Retrospective Approval)12 COMPTON ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Land division (boundary realignment)27 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291;53 PASCOE RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
2025· 31 proposals
December 2025
- Land division (boundary realignment)43 -45 PASCOE RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291;47 PASCOE RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- New shed building (142sqm) to be used as a pilates studio (indoor recreation facility)133 LOWER NELSON RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
November 2025
- Replacement building of existing shed (to be demolished) due to storm damage139 LIGHTHOUSE RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Outbuilding with amenities19 -21 SMITHS RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Outbuilding42 COMPTON ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Adding a small verandah to the back of the dwelling (13.2m2)2 COWRIE CT PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
October 2025
- Outbuilding91 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Dwelling additions45 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Extension of existing shed for storage of vehicles12 ELIZABETH ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Land Division - Realignment of boundaries92 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291;93 SEA PDE PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
September 2025
- Outbuilding Extension114 SMITHS RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
August 2025
- Detached Dwelling, Outbuilding with mezzanine for storage and amenities; and Temporary Living within the Outbuilding whilst the dwelling is under constructionLOT 35 EIGHT MILE CREEK RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Carport attached to existing Outbuilding13 SHELL DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Outbuilding16 NAUTILUS DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
July 2025
- Outbuilding13 NAUTILUS DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
June 2025
- Port MacDonnell Memorial Wall Precinct Area Project including a memorial wall, ship wheel monument, shade sails and associated landscaping12 BOAT RAMP ACCS PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291;Tenterden Reserve - Sea ParadeUnder Assessment
- Convert former Holding Cell to Amenities Block, Building Additions and Internal Alterations3 CHARLES ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
- Detached Dwelling and Outbuilding17 NAUTILUS DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Decision Made
2024· 29 proposals
29 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 28 proposals
28 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 23 proposals
23 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 27 proposals
27 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2020· 19 proposals
19 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020; 2020–2026; 2021… · Updated on site
Amenities
4 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Playground
- Public toilets
- Community GymSports centre
- Sports field
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Dingley Dell Conservation Park
Data sources & freshness
- National parks & reserves (SA) — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 3/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Heritage
3 state heritage places
- 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
- Overlay applies
- Bushfire safer places
- 1
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via SA Planning geohub. Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 25.4/100
- Cohort rank
- #115 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- Dingley Dell Conservation ParkgovernmentNational parks and reserves listing
- Adding a small verandah to the back of the dwelling (13.2m2)planning2 COWRIE CT PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Lodged 04 Nov 2025 · Decision Made
- Carportplanning434 EIGHT MILE CREEK RD PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Lodged 10 Apr 2026 · Decision Made
- Carport attached to existing Outbuildingplanning13 SHELL DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Lodged 14 Aug 2025 · Decision Made
- Carport extensionplanning23 CHURCH ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Lodged 10 Apr 2026 · Decision Made
- Convert former Holding Cell to Amenities Block, Building Additions and Internal Alterationsplanning3 CHARLES ST PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Lodged 20 Jun 2025 · Decision Made
- Detached Dwellingplanning11 NAUTILUS DR PORT MACDONNELL SA 5291Lodged 30 Jun 2026 · Under Assessment
Data sources & freshness
- National parks & reserves (SA) — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- 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
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