suburb.guide

SA · Mount Remarkable Council

Wirrabara, 5481

Current weather

11.7°CModerate drizzle

91% humidity · 20.6 km/h wind · 13.4° / 9° today · 4.9 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

11.9/100
Below average

705th in SA

70% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • High desirability
  • Green suburb
What Wirrabara is known for: High desirability, Green suburb

Suburb profile

Wirrabara offers a slower smaller community life in Mount Remarkable, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Set in the wider countryside, it offers distance from the capital and a strong sense of place. Wide horizons and a country quiet give the area a restorative, unhurried atmosphere.

An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.

A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

The desirability score is below average, pulled down chiefly by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and growth momentum relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
353
Median age
60
Median household income / week
$900
Dwelling vacancy
23.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
56 of 234
Median monthly mortgage
$867
Employment rate
46%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
11 / 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
19.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 118 residents
State safety percentile
27.6th (lower crime is better)
Family & domestic abuse offences
3
Increase (daily rate)
+134%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • Obtain Benefit By Deception1
  • Other Acts Intended To Cause Injury1
  • Other Theft1
  • Receive Or Handle Proceeds Of Crime1
  • Serious Assault Resulting In Injury2

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

Public transport

1 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Forest Rd / Horrocks Hwy - North side (Wirrabara Institute)

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.

36 planning-related records

2026· 3 proposals

  • May 2026

  • New Colorbond Shed 18mL x 9mW x 3.6mH Colour: Paperbark – all materials Purpose: Storage of Farm Machinery and General Farm Storage Stormwater to new 26000L Tank to be installed with shed
    LOT 141 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • April 2026

  • Outbuilding (shed)
    83 FAIRWAY DR WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • March 2026

  • Land Division to realign boundaries in order to better reflect existing land use. It is proposed that Allotment 1 will contain mainly native scrub, whilst allotment 2 will be mainly comprised of general farming land. This is being proposed with the preservation of the scrub land in mind. The proposed new boundary between the allotments will follow an existing line of fencing so there will be no loss of native vegetation as a result of this proposal.
    151 MARNER RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
2025· 6 proposals

  • December 2025

  • New hay storage shed
    LOT 51 CURTIS RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • November 2025

  • Land Division to create an additional allotment around the existing house and sheds in accordance with the Dwelling Excision Overlay, with the remainder of the land to continue to be used for general farming purposes.
    899 LYNCH RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • September 2025

  • Outbuilding (shed)
    LOT 26 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • March 2025

  • Division of the land into two allotments, each in excess of 40 hectares
    899 LYNCH RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
  • Proposed shed for storage and workshop.
    LOT 249 BANGOR RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • February 2025

  • New Colorbond Shed 9m x 16m x 5m Colour: Paperbark – all materials Purpose: Storage of Farm Machinery and General Farm Items Stormwater to New Tank
    1546 PINE CREEK RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
2024· 5 proposals

  • October 2024

  • Erect a Storage Shed
    107 FOREST RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • March 2024

  • Single storey detached dwelling
    LOT 138 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
  • Two bedroom, two story residential dwelling made from galvanized steel coated in colorbond. Building the dwelling as an owner builder, while scouring contractors for projects such as electrical and plumbing.
    LOT 173 WEST TCE WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
  • Domestic Outbuilding 18mx9mx4.2m open front with three enclosed sides.
    168 DEE RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • January 2024

  • Shed for equipment ie ride on mower, small tractor, trailers, vehicles and workshop area
    18486 HORROCKS HWY WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
2023· 5 proposals

  • September 2023

  • Verandah
    16 REDGUM ST WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • June 2023

  • FREE STANDING PATIO - LYSAGHT FLAT SKILLION ROOF. PATIO BUTTING UP TO EXISTING BUILDING NORTH EAST SIDE PROVIDING SHELTER FOR SPECTATORS WATCHING SPORT ON THE OVAL.
    41 CREW RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • March 2023

  • To build new hebel clad home with associated earthworks
    LOT 26 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • February 2023

  • New Shed. 12m x 18m All materials Colorbond. Colour: Paperbark Purpose: Storage of Vehicles and Domestic Items.
    LOT 26 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • January 2023

  • Construction of a free-standing verandah to rear of dwelling.
    4 CASUARINA ST WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
2022· 5 proposals

  • December 2022

  • Freestanding Pitched Roof Verandah
    38 WATKINS RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • August 2022

  • Single Storey New Dwelling
    LOT 138 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Under Assessment

  • April 2022

  • The proposed house will be built of rammed earth, with timber framed infill and upper level walls, clad with 'colorbond' custom orb steel cladding. The roof will also be clad with custom orb 'colorbond'. Colours according to notes on drawing sheet 3. The house has a cellar, a main floor, and a mezzanine. It will be sited in a level cut, and the soil from the cut will be used for the rammed earth. The owner builder is experienced in professional rammed earth construction.
    555 FOREST RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • March 2022

  • add a 2m deep veranda to east outlook
    267 MAHOOD RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • February 2022

  • Olympic shed 7.7m x 12m. X2 water tanks Shed pad.
    LOT 200 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
2021· 9 proposals

  • September 2021

  • To use the existing dwelling and property (former YHA Hostel) as short term accomodation for tourists.
    726 FOREST RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • August 2021

  • Install a 12,000mm x 6,000mm free standing verandah. Rain fall will be collected in existing rain water tanks.
    267 MAHOOD RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
  • Proposed shed for domestic use repairing Farm equipment, fixing utes, storing equipment - Tractor , ride on lawnmower ,rototiller
    228 BLACK SWAMP RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • July 2021

  • 8x8 shed
    23 TANDOWIE RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • April 2021

  • Shed - Class 10A Farm Implement Shed - Class 7
    LOT 138 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
  • Proposed residential dwelling, associated tanks, driveway and septic system
    LOT 254 BANGOR RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • March 2021

  • Bathroom provision in the main building
    2-8 SOUTH TCE WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • February 2021

  • We wish to build a shed with an overhang as a carport that will approximately be 22m away from the house and 18m away from the generator toolshed. The ridge of the shed will face north and be position next to the house.
    125 BANGOR RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • January 2021

  • The Estate 367 - 362m2 - Steel frame house - 4 bedroom by 2 bathrooms with study. Verandah all round. Designed by Wide Span Shed Pty Ltd. American Barn 11m x 15m. Designed by Wide Span Shed Pty Ltd. My Energy Off-grid Solar System - 10.36Kw Pioneer Steel frame 110,000 litre rainwater tank. Pioneer Poly 5,000 litre rainwater tank (fire use only). Ozzi Kleen Sewage and grey water treatment system. Concrete slabs for house and barn.
    LOT 261 WIRRABARA-APPILA RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
2020· 2 proposals

  • September 2020

  • COLOUR BOND 9.0 X 5.5 X 2.8 SKILLION ROOF SHED
    8 KURRAJONG ST WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made

  • August 2020

  • COLOUR BOND GABLE ROOF SHED 18.0 X 9.0 X 3.6 WALLS
    42 CALLISTEMON ST WIRRABARA SA 5481Decision Made
Other· 1 proposal
  • RONALD GERARD RUTTE, CATHERINE JANE RUTTE
    Hydrocarbon and ChemicalEPA licence

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

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)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

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

Heritage

1 state heritage place

  • Heritage placeState heritage

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies
Bushfire safer places
1

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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
2
Parks (OSM)
1

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
11.9/100 — Below average
National rank
6924th in Australia
State rank
705th in SA
Peer rank
#172 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#272 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
  • Other Acts Intended To Cause Injurycrime1
  • Other Theftcrime1
  • Receive Or Handle Proceeds Of Crimecrime1
  • Serious Assault Resulting In Injurycrime2
  • Heritage placeheritageState heritage
  • 8x8 shedplanning23 TANDOWIE RD WIRRABARA SA 5481Lodged 29 Jul 2021 · Decision Made
  • Bathroom provision in the main buildingplanning2-8 SOUTH TCE WIRRABARA SA 5481Lodged 24 Mar 2021 · Decision Made
  • COLOUR BOND 9.0 X 5.5 X 2.8 SKILLION ROOF SHEDplanning8 KURRAJONG ST WIRRABARA SA 5481Lodged 02 Sep 2020 · Decision Made
  • COLOUR BOND GABLE ROOF SHED 18.0 X 9.0 X 3.6 WALLSplanning42 CALLISTEMON ST WIRRABARA SA 5481Lodged 25 Aug 2020 · Decision Made

Data sources & freshness

More in Mount Remarkable Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.