VIC · East Gippsland Council
Lakes Entrance, 3909
Current weather
14.3°CModerate drizzle
57% humidity · 17.2 km/h wind · 16.7° / 9.9° today · 3.8 mm rain
Desirability score
Suburb snapshot
Lakes Entrance is a smaller suburban community in the East Gippsland area, home to around 5,145 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 1,694 offences in 2026 with rising year-on-year trends (+53%), roughly 329.3 offences per 1,000 residents, 3 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, fewer mapped amenities than nearby suburbs, 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
- 5,145
- Median age
- 55
- Median household income / week
- $866
- Dwelling vacancy
- 24.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 705 of 2,861
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,227
- Employment rate
- 35.8%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 226 / 276 / 39
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)
- 1,694
- Against the person
- 323
- Against property
- 523
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 329.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 16 residents
- State safety percentile
- 95.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +53%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage116
- B43 Steal From A Retail Store85
- B49 Other Theft82
- C32 Drug Possession124
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order356
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Year ending March release
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 917
- Lakes Entrance Primary SchoolPrimary
- Lakes Entrance Secondary CollegeSecondary
- St Brendan's SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
52 public transport stops in this suburb
- Jetty Rd/Princes Hwy
- Middle St/Princes Hwy
- Police Station/Roadknight St
- Post Office North/Esplanade
- Post Office/Princes Hwy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
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).
72 planning-related records
2021· 33 proposals
August 2021
- Multi Lot Subdivision, roadworks associated with the subdivision and Removal of Native Vegetation55 LAKEVIEW DRIVE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
- Buildings and works associated with for a moveable dwelling unit on Site 79685 ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909No permit required
- Two lot subdivision and buildings and works for a second Dwelling40 DON ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works in the form of an alteration to the existing building façade of Shop 2 (installation of an external roller door)40A CHURCH STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Buildings and works for a dwelling within an Erosion Management Overlay and on land with a 15 percent slope within a Design and Development Overlay11 MACRAE COURT LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Development of a Medical Centre in the general residential zone 1, creation of access to a transport zone 2 and buildings and works including fencing in the land subject to inundation, erosion management and design and development overlays40 ROADKNIGHT STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Veranda and deck addition to a dwelling8 MACRAE COURT LAKES ENTRANCE 3909In progress
- Buildings and works for a dwelling within the Design and Development Overlay and Bushfire Management Overlay and removal of vegetation and associated earthworks within the Erosion Management Overlay40 OCEAN VIEW PARADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
- Buildings and works including earthworks for a single dwelling and associated outbuilding in the Bushfire Management Overlay, Design and Development Overlay and Erosion Management Overlay.66B GOLD RING ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
- Development of an Agricultural Building within 10m of a boundary, and100m of a waterway within an Erosion Management and Environmental Significance Overlay159 COLQUHOUN ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Development of a shed35 ROWE STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a multi dwelling residential development within a Design and Development Overlay and Erosion Management Overlay11 BILLS STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
May 2021
- Buildings and works to an existing office (additions and alterations to a building for a section 2 use) and reduction to the standard car parking requirement11 HEATHERLEA GROVE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Works ancillary to an existing building altering the surface profile by more than 150mm, display of business identification signage including pylon, creation and alteration of access to a Transport Zone 2365A ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works, including earthworks, for an outbuilding and carport within a Design and Development Overlay, Erosion Management Overlay and Bushfire Mangement Ovelray61 ROBIN STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works (storage shed) associated with an existing use79 BUNGA CREEK ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works with two outbuildings43 BUNGA CREEK ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Construction of a single storey dwelling on a lot less than 300sqm23A GOLF LINKS ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Building and Works of a Dwelling, Outbuilding and Associated Earthworks14 OCEAN VIEW PARADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
- Four Lot Subdivision and the Removal of Easement (E-1)42 MYER STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision205 PALMERS ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Development of a double-storey dwelling122A Myer StreetWithdrawn
- Development of an outbuilding (shed)79 Colquhoun RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use & Development of an Indoor Recreation Facility (Mini-Golf), Subdivision into two lots adjacent to Road Zone Category 1 & reduction in the car parking requirement547 ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a two storey dwelling11 MERRANGBAUR STREET LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for an outbuilding (carport)110 PALMERS ROAD LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Change of Use of existing shed to a vehicle store53 COUNTRY CLUB DRIVE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909Withdrawn
- Buildings and works to an existing building605 EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision (restructure)112 Carpenter StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for a shed18 Norman CourtNo permit required
- Two lot subdivision and variation of an easement (powerline)106 Ostlers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor pursuant to an on premises liquor license in association with the development of a restaurant, reduction of car parking and access alteration to a Road Zone Category 1 within Land Subject to Inundation Overlay.595 ESPLANADE LAKES ENTRANCE 3909NOD issued by a delegate
January 2021
- Buildings and works for a garage424 Colquhoun RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 7 proposals
December 2020
- Buildings and works for a dwelling within a Bushfire Management Overlay and Design and Development Overlay95 Golf Links RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for a dwelling and outbuilding255 Colquhoun RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for a shed within an Erosion Management Overlay79 Bunga Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision9 Kinkuna CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Buildings and works (extension and alteration to a dwelling, construction of an outbuiding and fencing) within Land Subject to Inundation Overlay421 EsplanadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for dwelling additions12 Mitchelson CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Temporary Red Line Area595 EsplanadeNo permit required
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
3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Grandview Rd/Capes RdBus stop
- Petersen St/Myer StBus stop
- Parking
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Esplanade ReservePark
- Evatt ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics
- 2
- Emergency department
- Not in suburb
- Gippsland Lakes Community Healthclinic
- Pharmacypharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- NEW WORKS HISTORIC COMPLEXNH1532
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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)
- 17
- Parks (OSM)
- 7
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
- 31.6/100
- National rank
- 4860th in Australia
- State rank
- 944th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #225 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #473 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 82%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- B21 Criminal Damagecrime116
- B43 Steal From A Retail Storecrime85
- B49 Other Theftcrime82
- C32 Drug Possessioncrime124
- E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime356
- NEW WORKS HISTORIC COMPLEXheritageNH1532
- Gippsland Lakes Community Healthhealthclinic
- Pharmacyhealthpharmacy
- Esplanade Reservegovernmentpark
- Evatt Parkgovernmentpark
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Updated on site · Year ending March release
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Updated on site
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · Updated on site
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.