VIC · Surf Coast Council
Fairhaven, VIC, 3231
Current weather
13.8°CLight drizzle
76% humidity · 23.4 km/h wind · 17.1° / 10.1° today · 3.8 mm rain
Desirability index
#96 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Fairhaven is a small locality in the Surf Coast area, home to around 390 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 4 offences in 2026 with rising year-on-year trends (+33%), roughly 10.3 offences per 1,000 residents, limited but present public transport access, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.
Population
- Population
- 390
- Median age
- 56
- Median household income / week
- $2,023
- Dwelling vacancy
- 69%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 349 of 506
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,993
- Employment rate
- 58.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 6 / 0 / 0
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)
- 4
- Against the person
- 1
- Against property
- 3
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 10.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 390 residents
- State safety percentile
- 3.6th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- +33.3%
Most common offence types
- A732 Non-Fv Threatening Behaviour1
- B21 Criminal Damage1
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary1
- B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception1
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Year ending March release
Public transport
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- Yarringa Rd/Great Ocean Rd
- Yarringa Rd/Great Ocean Rd
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
45 planning-related records
2021· 24 proposals
September 2021
- Buildings and Works for a Shed Associated with the Horse Riding Business in accordance with the endorsed plan/s.115 BIMBADEEN DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2021
- Alterations and Additions to existing dwelling and new spa26 BANOOL ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Building and works associated with alterations and additions to the existing dwelling and removal of native vegetation35 SHE OAK CRESCENT FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling50 WYBELLENNA DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Construction of a Dwelling and Swimming Pool46 NARANI WAY FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a single storey extension to an existing dwelling2 MERRAN GROVE FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construct alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling4 LIALEETA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Extension of balcony/deck3 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling and an outdoor swimming pool and removal of native vegetation16 FOREST DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Residential extension to the existing House2 ORCHID GROVE FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling20 Lialeeta RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling and Removal of Native Vegetation70 BIMBADEEN DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231In progress
- Construction of a Dwelling.12 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Retrospective Amendment to Balustrade44 Narani WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Construction of a Concrete Swimming Pool, Safety Barrier and associated works & removal of native vegetation313 GREAT OCEAN ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling1 IRONBARK AVENUE FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling34 She Oak CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling2 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Buildings and works (driveway, path and steps)3 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Construction of a Shed and removal of native vegetation19 RIDGE ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
March 2021
- Replace deck1 Ridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling and Outbuilding.61 LIALEETA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Variation of a Restrictive Covenant & Buildings and Construction of a Single Step.24 Narani WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Alteration and Additions Existing Dwelling7 Lialeeta RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 21 proposals
November 2020
- Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling50 BANOOL ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling59 LIALEETA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Removal of Native Vegetation2 BANOOL ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Withdrawn
- Construct Two Replacement Buildings Reason for Revision: Use of the land for a dwelling and short term accommodation.425 GREAT OCEAN ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231In progress
September 2020
- Construction of an Outbuilding2C YANDANAH ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Amendment to Roof, Cladding, Window and Staircase13 BIMBADEEN DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Amendment to Endorsed Plan115 BIMBADEEN DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of new attached garage & deck and construction of a new detached carport6 WERONA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling20 NARANI WAYPermit issued by the RA
July 2020
- Construction of a Dwelling17 BIMBADEEN DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a Dwelling7 RIDGE ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling and installation of a spa21 WYBELLENNA DRIVEPermit issued by the RA
June 2020
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Addition to Existing Dwelling7 TIMBARA CLUSTER FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
- Alterations and Additions Existing Dwelling7 LIALEETA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Additions to Existing Dwelling58 FOREST DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construct a fence20 KALBARU DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020; 2020–2022; 2021 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access
Amenities
1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- FairhavenBus stop
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
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 62.8/100
- Cohort rank
- #96 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
- Additions to Existing Dwellingplanning58 FOREST DRIVELodged 14 May 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alteration and Additions Existing Dwellingplanning7 Lialeeta RoadLodged 17 Feb 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions Existing Dwellingplanning7 LIALEETA ROADLodged 19 Jun 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwellingplanning50 BANOOL ROADLodged 11 Nov 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwellingplanning59 LIALEETA ROADLodged 10 Nov 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions to existing dwelling and new spaplanning26 BANOOL ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Lodged 27 Aug 2021 · NOD issued by a delegate
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwellingplanning50 WYBELLENNA DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231Lodged 18 Aug 2021 · NOD issued by a delegate
- Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling and installation of a spaplanning21 WYBELLENNA DRIVELodged 09 Jul 2020 · Permit issued by the RA
- Alterations and extensions to the existing dwellingplanning34 She Oak CrescentLodged 20 Apr 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Amendment to Endorsed Planplanning115 BIMBADEEN DRIVELodged 27 Aug 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access
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