suburb.guide

VIC · Whitehorse Council

Forest Hill (Vic.), VIC, 3131

Current weather

12.7°CModerate rain showers

82% humidity · 24.2 km/h wind · 15.7° / 10.4° today · 6.1 mm rain

Desirability score

63.8/100

453rd in Australia

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Forest Hill (Vic.) is a mid-sized suburb in the Whitehorse area, home to around 10,780 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows reported crime totals of around 923 offences in 2026, roughly 85.6 offences per 1,000 residents, 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, many local shops, services and recreation venues, 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
10,780
Median age
42
Median household income / week
$1,658
Dwelling vacancy
7.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
320 of 4,404
Median monthly mortgage
$2,123
Employment rate
54.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
239 / 1,015 / 127

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)
923
Against the person
111
Against property
646
Rate per 1,000 residents
85.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 97 residents
State safety percentile
70.3th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+0.2%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft56
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle208
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store88
  • B49 Other Theft90
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order48

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
Median school ICSEA
1,095
  • Parkmore Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

52 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Lakeside Dr/Burwood Hwy #72
  • Mahoneys Reserve/Mahoneys Rd
  • Pacific Way/Mahoneys Rd
  • Paul Rd/Mahoneys Rd
  • Romoly Dr/Mahoneys 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).

159 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Construction and Display of Signs (Business Identification)
    502 CANTERBURY ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a double storey dwelling to the rear of the existing dwelling including buildings and works within 4 metres of protected SLO9 trees and vegetation removal
    168 MAHONEYS ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one tree (SLO9)
    8 BESSAZILE AVENUE FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 3 lot subdivision
    424 CANTERBURY ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a front fence within 4m of a tree under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    3 CHERRYL STREET FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Use and development of the land as a Child Care Centre; associated buildings and works within 4 metres of protected SLO9 trees; removal of vegetation; to alter access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1; and variation of easement
    329 SPRINGVALE ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Erection of two (2) floodlit business major promotional signs
    353-383 BURWOOD HIGHWAY FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works (front fence) within 4 metres of vegetation protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 6
    38 MENIN ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of seven dwellings and associated tree removal
    7 BARTER CRESCENT FOREST HILL 3131Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Removal of a Melaleuca linariifolia (Snow- in- summer) tree pursuant to Schedule 9 to the Significant Landscape Overlay
    5 ANSETT CRESCENT FOREST HILL 3131Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Removal of One tree under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    4 FINLAYSON STREET FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one tree
    36 FAULKNER STREET FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amend conditions and plans to Permit WH/2018/1304 which allows Buildings and works to extend the existing building (verandahs and gazebo), alteration of access to a Road Zone Category 1, display floodlit, above verandah business identification signs.
    342-348 SPRINGVALE ROAD FOREST HILL 3131NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works within 4 metres of protected trees and vegetation removal in the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    67 VICKI STREET FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Construction of two double storey dwellings, including associated buildings and works within 4 metres of protected SLO9 trees and removal of vegetation
    40 BINDY STREET FOREST HILL 3131NOD issued by a delegate
  • Extension of a dwelling (construction of a deck) on a lot less than 500 sqm and buildings and works within 4m of a protected tree within SLO9
    4/34 GLEN VALLEY ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Tree removal & buildings and works associated with the construction of a dwelling with the Significant Landscape Overlay - Schedule 9
    15 LONGBRAE AVENUE FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Works within 4m of significant vegetation pursuant to SLO9 of the Whitehorse Planning Scheme
    31 ASHMORE ROAD FOREST HILL 3131No permit required
  • Removal of one tree under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    1 CHERRYL STREET FOREST HILL 3131Withdrawn
  • Removal of trees and buildings and works (for a dwelling and front fence) under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    1 CHERRYL STREET FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with a proposed carport within 4 metres of a protected tree.
    15 BRISTOW DRIVE FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to subdivision layout and staging rationale
    104-168 HAWTHORN ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one (1) Fraxinus excelsior 'Aurea' (Golden Ash) tree in the Significant Landscape Overlay, Schedule 9 (SLO9).
    1 VANBROOK STREET FOREST HILL 3131Refusal issued by a delegate

  • June 2021

  • To construct and display signage
    409 SPRINGVALE ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Withdrawn
  • Buildings and works to construct a Cafe, with reduction in car parking and alteration of access to a Road Zone Category 1
    353-383 BURWOOD HIGHWAY FOREST HILL 3131Refusal issued by a delegate
  • A report and consent from council is required pursuant to Regulation 76, as the proposed site coverage of 67% exceeds the permitted site coverage of 50%, due to the General Residential Zone 1.
    4/15-17 SHERMAN STREET FOREST HILL 3131No permit required
  • Buildings and works for a shop (dog grooming salon)
    409 SPRINGVALE ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Withdrawn
  • Construction of two dwellings on a lot; Tree removal and buildings and works under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    31 ROMOLY DRIVE FOREST HILL 3131Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Removal of protected trees pursuant to the Significant Landscape Overlay - Schedule 9.
    1 FRYER COURT FOREST HILL 3131NOD issued by a delegate
  • Removal of vegetation (one tree) within the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    21 Barter CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Three lot subdivision
    10 DAVY LANE FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • works within 4 metres of vegetation under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    41 LONGBRAE AVENUE FOREST HILL 3131Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Tree Removal & Building and Works Pursuant to the Significant Landscape Overlay - Schedule 9
    53 RALEIGH STREET FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one protected tree and works within 4 metres of protected tree
    5 MICHAEL COURT FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • The removal of two protected trees under the Significant Landscape Overlay - Schedule 9
    2 BOGONG COURT FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to Planning Permit WH/2018/574/B (issued to No.s 431 and 433 Springvale Road for use and development of one display home and associated car park, tree removal, display of business identification signs, reduction of car parking requirements, and alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1) proposing to include No. 429 Springvale Road as part of the subject site, add one display home, relocate the car park, alter the advertising signs, alter the open space layout, and alter
    429 SPRINGVALE ROAD FOREST HILL 3131Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works within the Design and Development Overlay - Schedule 4
    502 Canterbury RoadNo permit required
  • Removal of one tree
    277 Mahoneys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one (1) tree protected under the Significant Landscape Overlay Schedule 9
    94 Jolimont RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Construction of a single dwelling on a lot less than 500sqm, and associated buildings and works within 4 metres of protected vegetation in the Significant Landscape Overlay, Schedule 9 (SLO9).
    19A JACKSON STREET FOREST HILL 3131Permit 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

103 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • BWSAlcohol
  • Commonwealth BankBank
  • Endota SpaBeauty salon
  • Bench (9)
  • Zone BowlingBowling Alley
  • Bus stop (10)
  • Canterbury RoadBus stop
  • Caves GroveBus stop
  • Cumberland CourtBus stop
  • Deans Wood Rd/Canterbury RdBus 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

Parks & reserves

14 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Ansett Crescent ReservePark
  • Bulkara Avenue ParkPark
  • Davy Lane ReservePark
  • Forest Hill ReservePark
  • Glen Valley ReservePark
  • Jean-Lake ReservePark
  • Mahoneys ReservePark
  • Melbourne Water Pipe ReservePark
  • Mock Street ReservePark
  • Parkland Place ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
8
Emergency department
On site
  • Chemist WarehouseSpringvale Roadpharmacy
  • Chemist Warehousepharmacy
  • Forest Hill Medical & Dental CentreSpringvale Roadclinic
  • Lumus Imaging Forest HillSpringvale Roadmedical_imaging
  • Melbourne PathologyCanterbury Roadsample_collection
  • Peter James CentreBurwood Highwayhospital
  • Peter James Centrehospital
  • Primary Dental Forest HillSpringvale Roaddentist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
8/10
IRSD decile (2021)
6/10

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

Childcare

3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Kinderplay Early Learning CentreSpringvale Roadchildcare
  • Story House Early LearningCanterbury Roadchildcare
  • Storyhouse Early Learning childcareSpringvale Roadchildcare

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

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

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

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)
21
Parks (OSM)
21

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
63.8/100
National rank
453rd in Australia
State rank
123rd in VIC
Peer rank
#51 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#93 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

  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theftcrime56
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime208
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Storecrime88
  • B49 Other Theftcrime90
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime48
  • Kinderplay Early Learning CentrechildcareSpringvale Roadchildcare
  • Story House Early LearningchildcareCanterbury Roadchildcare
  • Storyhouse Early Learning childcarechildcareSpringvale Roadchildcare
  • Chemist WarehousehealthSpringvale Roadpharmacy
  • Chemist Warehousehealthpharmacy

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.