SA · Charles Sturt Council
West Lakes Shore, 5020
Current weather
12.1°CLight drizzle
74% humidity · 25.2 km/h wind · 13.9° / 11.8° today · 14.2 mm rain
Desirability score
- Tourism
- Parks
- Good transport
- Schools
- Shops
Suburb profile
West Lakes Shore wears its coastal identity openly, a mid-sized suburb built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. The coast and city are both within easy reach, so days can swing between beach time and urban outings. Salt air and open horizons give the suburb a relaxed, outdoor feel year-round.
A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car.
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.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities against similar coastal suburbs, even with parks and green space and transport and access holding up better.
Population
- Population
- 3,236
- Median age
- 48
- Median household income / week
- $1,758
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 110 of 1,393
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,950
- Employment rate
- 58.1%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 79 / 363 / 11
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)
- $795
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $700
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $790
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 15
- Median house price (Q1 2026)
- $1,360,000
- Median price change
- +6.2%
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)
- 137
- Against the person
- 20
- Against property
- 117
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 42.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 162 residents
- State safety percentile
- 58.1th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 9
- Increase (daily rate)
- +1.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental25
- Other Theft28
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intent9
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury9
- Theft From Motor Vehicle26
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
- 2 (1 schools, 1 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,060
- West Lakes Shore KindergartenEdwin StreetPreschools
- West Lakes Shore SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 1060
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
Public transport
19 public transport stops in this suburb
- Stop 33 Military Rd - West side
- Stop 33G West Lakes Blvd - North side
- Stop 34 Military Rd - South West side
- Stop 34A Military Rd - South West side
- Stop 35B Bartley Tce - North West 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.
304 planning-related records
2026· 28 proposals
June 2026
- Removal of a Regulated tree - Norfolk Pine16 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Two (2) Single-Storey Detached Dwellings.2 KIRRA AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Torrens title land division creating two allotments from one18 SANTIAGO ST WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Alterations and additions to existing two storey dwelling.14 SHORE CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
May 2026
- Shade sail to the rear of the associated dwelling6A KARUMBA PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Swimming Pool sited at the rear of the existing dwelling6 TODD PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Two-storey detached dwelling17A DALY CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
April 2026
- Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two70 FAIRFORD TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two14 GREENFIELD CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Swimming pool and safety barrier to the rear of the existing dwelling55A THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Two storey detached dwelling. (Future Lot 30)11 MACQUARRIE CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Single storey detached dwelling21 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Replacement of existing baseball protective netting structure and installation of two new football protective netting structures.233 BARTLEY TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Land Division comprising 1 into 2 Torrens Title allotments2 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
March 2026
- Illuminated pylon sign 6 metres high68 -92 BARTLEY TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Carport to be located forward of the existing buildingUNIT 1 6 ANGLERS CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Verandah to the rear of the existing dwelling12 KEESING PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Swimming pool with associated safety features to be located at the rear of the existing dwelling6A KARUMBA PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Torrens Title Land Division - one allotment into two25 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Variation to Development Application 25032310 - changes to building form, windows, alfresco and boundary walls with the garage parapet on the western boundary at a height of 3.26 and the garage wall on the eastern boundary for a length of 13.38 metres and height of 3.1 metres25 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
February 2026
- Swimming pool and associated safety features to be located at the rear of the dwelling47 ASHBURTON AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Swimming Pool and Safety barrier to the rear of the existing dwelling5 KARUMBA PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Viewing platform located within the sand dunes west of Mirani Court-34.8647113 :138.4782361;LOT 700 MIRANI CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020;LOT 94 THIRD AV SEMAPHORE PARK SA 5019Under Assessment
- Swimming Pool and associated safety barrier to the rear of the existing dwelling24 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Alterations to the existing dwelling - installation of 2 sliding doors33 NEWCOMBE AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Two storey detached dwelling.17 DALY CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
January 2026
- Partial demolition of the canopy and porch on the southern side of the existing dwelling, alterations and additions to the dwelling, and provision of an associated pedestrian gate to the northern boundary fence.14 DUNE CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Two (2), two-storey detached dwellings19 BERMUDA AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
2025· 12 proposals
December 2025
- Verandah and deck to be constructed at the front and rear of the existing dwelling with internal building alterations. Stage 1: Deck and verandah Stage 2: Remainder of works14 KEESING PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Three level detached dwelling including undercroft garaging and storage area and swimming pool together with front masonry fence47 THE ANNIE WATT CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Two storey detached dwelling.24A LAMBERT AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
November 2025
- Two storey detached dwelling5 NEWCOMBE AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Verandah35 HEYSEN CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Demolition of the carport attached to the dwelling and construction of the carport to the side30 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Torrens title land division creating two allotments from one5 SANTIAGO ST WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Swimming pool.3A TODD PL WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Torrens title land division - one alloment into two19 BERMUDA AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Single Storey Detached Dwelling7 HEYSEN CR WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Under Assessment
- Verandah to the rear of the existing dwelling64 FAIRFORD TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision Made
- Variation to 25013542 - Community Title Land Division, one allotment into two3 HAWKESBURY WAY WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Decision 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
57 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (14)
- Bicycle Parking
- Stop 33 Military Road - East sideBus stop
- Stop 33 Military Road - West sideBus stop
- Stop 33G West Lakes Boulevard - North sideBus stop
- Stop 33G West Lakes Boulevard - South sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Bartley Terrace - East sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Bartley Terrace - West sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Military Road - North East sideBus stop
- Stop 34 Military Road - South West 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)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 8/10
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 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)
- 18
- Parks (OSM)
- 18
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
- 53.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 14% of South Australia's suburbs
- National rank
- 1379th in Australia
- State rank
- 96th in SA
- Peer rank
- #10 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #14 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
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 Environmentalcrime25
- Other Theftcrime28
- Other Unlawful Entry With Intentcrime9
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime9
- Theft From Motor Vehiclecrime26
- Alterations and additions to existing two storey dwelling.planning14 SHORE CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Lodged 10 Jun 2026 · Under Assessment
- Alterations to the existing dwelling - installation of 2 sliding doorsplanning33 NEWCOMBE AV WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Lodged 05 Feb 2026 · Decision Made
- Carport to be located forward of the existing buildingplanningUNIT 1 6 ANGLERS CT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Lodged 15 Mar 2026 · Decision Made
- Demolition of the carport attached to the dwelling and construction of the carport to the sideplanning30 MANLY CCT WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Lodged 27 Nov 2025 · Decision Made
- Illuminated pylon sign 6 metres highplanning68 -92 BARTLEY TCE WEST LAKES SHORE SA 5020Lodged 20 Mar 2026 · 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
More in Charles Sturt Council
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Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.