suburb.guide

VIC · Cardinia Council

Emerald, 3782

Current weather

10.7°CDense drizzle

95% humidity · 27.8 km/h wind · 11.8° / 10.1° today · 14.7 mm rain

Desirability score

57/100

990th in Australia

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Emerald (Vic.) is a smaller suburban community in the Cardinia area, home to around 5,890 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 228 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-11%), roughly 38.7 offences per 1,000 residents, 3 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a reasonable spread of amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
5,890
Median age
43
Median household income / week
$2,119
Dwelling vacancy
4.7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
100 of 2,108
Median monthly mortgage
$2,000
Employment rate
63.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
141 / 22 / 13

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 (2026)
228
Against the person
49
Against property
124
Rate per 1,000 residents
38.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 120 residents
State safety percentile
34.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-10.6%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary14
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle27
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store21
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order21
  • Other Crimes Against The Person15

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
1,061
  • Dandenong Ranges Steiner SchoolPrimary
  • Emerald Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Emerald Secondary CollegeSecondary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

26 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Emerald Village/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
  • Emerald-Monbulk Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
  • Lawson Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
  • Macclesfield Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
  • Margaret Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

145 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • The construction of a verandah within 100m of a Road Zone Category 1 and within 100m of dwellings not in the same ownership.
    6-8 PALM COURT EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
  • Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling
    35 SUNNYSIDE TERRACE EMERALD 3782Lapsed
  • Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed)
    7 LEGG ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an extension to existing dwelling (carport)
    29 WESTLANDS ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to existing dwelling (verandah)
    22 EMERALD-MONBULK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a replacement outbuilding (Garage)
    4 EXLEY CLOSE EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed)
    19 BELLBIRD CRESCENT EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed
    67 EMERALD-MONBULK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • New dwelling
    8 MADELINE COURT EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
  • Remove two dead Messmate Stringybark trees
    3 WATTLE COURT EMERALD 3782Lapsed
  • Upon consultation with the shed builders we have decided to change the direction of the Gable to make it an easier build and connect to the current shed better
    28 WONG HEE ROAD EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
  • Construction of a dwelling and associated works
    7A FAIRWAY ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling and native vegetation removal
    8 MADELINE COURT EMERALD 3782In progress
  • Buildings and works associated an outbuilding
    20 WESTLANDS ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Construction of an outbuilding and associated works
    5 STEEL ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with an outbuilding and vegetation removal
    9 PRINCE STREET EMERALD 3782In progress
  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (garage)
    4 ULMER ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for a dwelling, non-habitable outbuilding and vegetation removal
    2 DOERY STREET EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Construction of an outbuilding, removal of vegetation and associated works
    6 DAVEY ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Proposed veranda attached to the existing dwelling
    U 21/11 Westlands RoadWithdrawn
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension
    2 Ozone AvenueWithdrawn
  • Development of the land for a dwelling and earthworks exceeding one (1) metre
    8 CORNISH ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to existing dwelling and development of an outbuilding (carport)
    3 Cornish RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Proposed Buildings and works for an alteration/addition to existing dwelling and proposed Carport
    3 Cornish RoadWithdrawn
  • Construct a shed
    37 BELLBIRD CRESCENT EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
  • Two (2) lot subdivision
    8 BEACONSFIELD-EMERALD ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling (garage and carport)
    25 Edenmont RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling, associated works and an outbuilding (carport)
    8 PARADISE GROVE EMERALD 3782NOD issued by a delegate
  • Subdivision of the land into six (6) lots (in accordance with development permit T190416)
    12-14 KINGS ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Multi-lot subdivision of buildings and creation of easements and creation of a reserve
    G SHOP 1/329-331 BELGRAVE-GEMBROOK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of vegetation (three exotic trees)
    11 HEROES AVENUE EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding
    22 BELLBIRD CRESCENT EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for an extension to an existing dwelling (deck)
    1 Chandler AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with an outbuilding and associated earthworks
    8 TELOPEA ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Proposed Verandah.
    28 Charman AvenueWithdrawn
  • Nookee Cafe has been operating for over 12 months. This app is in retrospect. The structure has been built under the existing roof line. Engineering report has been supplied to Council as per Councils request. The changes made to facad of the property were deemed to trigger the permit. Evie McGauley has been dealing with this matter.
    1 Emerald-Monbulk RoadWithdrawn

  • April 2021

  • Use and development of the land for a dwelling, construction of an outbuilding, earthworks, vegetation removal and alteration of access to a Road in the TRZ2
    82 BEACONSFIELD-EMERALD ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension
    4 MAJESTIC DRIVE EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling extension and outbuilding (carport)
    408 BELGRAVE-GEMBROOK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with a verandah
    26 Poplar CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020–2022 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

18 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bbq
  • Bench (6)
  • Cafe
  • The ChookeryCafe
  • Confectionery
  • Bill's Fish & ChipsFast food

    11 Kilvington Drive

  • Fitness Station
  • Picnic Table (2)
  • Emerald ThaiRestaurant

    12 Kilvington Drive

  • Shelter

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

Parks & reserves

7 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Belgrave-Gembrook Road Linear ReservePark
  • Cardinia Reservoir ParkPark
  • Emerald Close ReservePark
  • Emerald Lake ParkPark
  • Nobelius Heritage ParkPark
  • Pepi's LandPark
  • Puffing Billy ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
3
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Emerald Medical CentreMurphys Waydoctor
  • Emerald Village Pharmacypharmacy
  • Emerald Wellness Pharmacypharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
8/10
IRSD decile (2021)
9/10

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

  • FORMER NOBELIUS NURSERYNH2285

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Emerald PreschoolKings Roadkindergarten
  • kindergartenBelgrave Gembrook Roadkindergarten
  • kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
37
Parks (OSM)
8

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
990th in Australia
State rank
258th in VIC
Peer rank
#99 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#189 among Metro Melbourne 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

  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglarycrime14
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime27
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Storecrime21
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime21
  • Other Crimes Against The Personcrime15
  • Emerald PreschoolchildcareKings Roadkindergarten
  • kindergartenchildcareBelgrave Gembrook Roadkindergarten
  • kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • FORMER NOBELIUS NURSERYheritageNH2285
  • Emerald Medical CentrehealthMurphys Waydoctor

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
  • Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Updated on site · Year ending March release
  • Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Updated on site
  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site

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