suburb.guide

VIC · Whittlesea Council

South Morang, 3752

Current weather

9.8°COvercast

89% humidity · 29.9 km/h wind · 11.3° / 8.7° today · 9.9 mm rain

Desirability score

61.3/100

615th in Australia

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

South Morang is a mid-sized suburb in the Whittlesea area, home to around 24,989 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 1,281 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-7%), roughly 51.3 offences per 1,000 residents, 4 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
24,989
Median age
36
Median household income / week
$2,078
Dwelling vacancy
3.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
272 of 8,307
Median monthly mortgage
$1,900
Employment rate
65.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
599 / 1,217 / 34

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)
1,281
Against the person
211
Against property
809
Rate per 1,000 residents
51.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 118 residents
State safety percentile
48.4th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-7.4%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage92
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle236
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store98
  • B49 Other Theft89
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order141

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
4
Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
1,020
  • Marymede Catholic CollegeCombined
  • Morang South Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Plenty River CollegeSecondary
  • The Lakes South Morang CollegeCombined

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

122 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Hawkstowe Rail Replacement Bus Stop
  • Hawkstowe Station
  • Hawkstowe Station
  • Middle Gorge Rail Replacement Bus Stop
  • Middle Gorge Station

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).

39 planning-related records

2021· 5 proposals

  • April 2021

  • Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300 square metres. Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300 square metres.
    41 Violet VistaPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Variation of a restrictive covenant. Variation to Restrictive Covenant PS803793J to allow for the construction of a dwelling with a rear setback of 3.24m from the eastern boundary in lieu of the 5.0m setback prescribed by the building envelope and a dispensation of the 5.5m front setback for a garage as prescribed by the Memorandum of Common Provisions AA6245.
    8 Candle StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Variation to restrictive covenant S213916U. Removal of Restrictive Covenant S213016U on Plan of Subdivision 216065H
    32 Martin ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Sale and consumption of liquor associated with the existing food and d Sale and consumption of liquor associated with the existing food and drink premises
    287 The Lakes BoulevardPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Construction of a pergola associated with an existing dwelling Construction of a pergola associated with an existing dwelling
    1071 Plenty RoadNo permit required
2020· 34 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Amendment Amendment
    366 McDonalds RoadPermit issued by the RA
  • Subdivision of land
    160 Gordons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Multi lot subdivision Multi lot subdivision
    830 Plenty RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Construction of two dwellings Construction of two dwellings
    2 McGlynn AvenueNOD issued by a delegate

  • September 2020

  • Extension to an existing building associated with an education centre. Extension to an existing building associated with an education centre.
    60 Williamsons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a service station, removal of native vegetation Use and development of a service station, removal of native vegetation, display of signage and creation of access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1
    975 Plenty RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Amendment Amendment to signage shown on architectural plans
    460 McDonalds RoadPermit issued by the RA
  • Any other applications (eg. Signage) Removal of vegetation within Heritage Overlay
    10 Bushmans WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Display of signage Display of signage
    510 Findon RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Creation of Easement
    21W Kinkora CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works associated with the construction of a mezzanine lev Building and works associated with the construction of a mezzanine level to an existing warehouse.
    47/33 Danaher DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Subdivision of land
    19 Methven AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Lopping of native vegetation within a Vegetation Protection Overlay. Lopping of native vegetation within a Vegetation Protection Overlay.
    19A Cuckoo StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with the construction of a veranda Buildings and works associated with the construction of a veranda
    58/65 Gordons RoadNo permit required
  • Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300sqm Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300sqm
    14 Woodoak StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision - change of easement and/o
    105Y Hunters RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal/Pruning of Native Vegetation and Multi Unit (5 or more dwellin Amendment
    510 Findon RoadPermit issued by the RA

  • May 2020

  • Subdivision of land
    510 Findon RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of land
    10 Kelvin GrovePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of restrictive covenant Removal of Restrictive Covenant S246894F on Plan of Subdivision 216065H
    16 Martin ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of native vegetation (one tree) Removal of native vegetation
    995 Plenty RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Development Removal of native vegetation associated with a minor utility installation
    80 McArthurs RoadPermit issued by the RA
  • Development Removal of native vegetation
    25 Hunters RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of land
    135 Williamsons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Ammendment Amendment
    784 Plenty RoadPermit issued by the RA

  • March 2020

  • Development plus change of use and Native vegetation removal Use and development of a food and drink premises, convenience shop, convenience restaurant, alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1.
    1235 Plenty RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • VicSmart Buildings and works associated with the construction of a mezzanine
    6/33 Danaher DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Amendment Amendment to increase the hours of operation
    368 McDonalds RoadPermit issued by the RA
  • VicSmart Removal of native vegetation
    3 Hanmer DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment
    1/33 Danaher DrivePermit issued by the RA

  • January 2020

  • Change of use (including car parking) Use of a restricted recreation facility and display of business identification signage
    32/33 Danaher DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works and Amendment Amendment
    1235 Plenty RoadPermit issued by the RA
  • Removal of native vegetation Lopping of native vegetation
    246 Gordons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of native vegetation Removal of native vegetation
    7 Water Pepper CourtPermit 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

39 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bench (9)
  • Bus stop (14)
  • Middle Gorge StationBus stop
  • Plenty Road/Hawkstowe ParadeBus stop
  • Songbird CrestBus stop
  • Miss V Espresso & Pizza BarCafe
  • Paradise Kids Children's CentreChildcare

    1 Paradise Way

  • Lakes Boulevard Medical CentreClinic

    547-549 The Lakes Boulevard

  • Genuine DentalDentist
  • The Lakes Pizza, Pasta and RibsFast food

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

105 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Allan Avenue ParkPark
  • Appleberry Place WalkwayPark
  • Arrowgrass WalkwayPark
  • Auburn Road Red Gum ReservePark
  • Bliss Red Gum ReservePark
  • Brolga ParkPark
  • Bugle WalkwayPark
  • bunjil nganga ParklandPark
  • Capri Close WalkwayPark
  • Chamonix ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
8
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Chemist Warehousepharmacy
  • Genuine Dentaldentist
  • Lakes Boulevard Medical CentreThe Lakes Boulevardclinic
  • Living Life Sports Medicinepodiatrist
  • Mill Park PhysiotherapyDanaher Drivephysiotherapist
  • Optiplex EyecareMcDonalds Roadoptometrist
  • Plenty Valley Family Dentaldentist
  • TerryWhite Chemmartpharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

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

  • SOUTH MORANG PRIMARY SCHOOLNH1398

Data sources & freshness

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

Childcare

4 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Brighthouse Early Learning South MorangMcGlynn Avenuekindergarten
  • Gumboots Early Learning CentreThe Lakes Boulevardkindergarten
  • Paradise Kids Children's CentreParadise Waychildcare
  • South Morang PreschoolReid Streetkindergarten

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)
166
Parks (OSM)
166

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
61.3/100
National rank
615th in Australia
State rank
173rd in VIC
Peer rank
#49 among Metro Melbourne · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#127 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

  • B21 Criminal Damagecrime92
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime236
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Storecrime98
  • B49 Other Theftcrime89
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime141
  • Brighthouse Early Learning South MorangchildcareMcGlynn Avenuekindergarten
  • Gumboots Early Learning CentrechildcareThe Lakes Boulevardkindergarten
  • Paradise Kids Children's CentrechildcareParadise Waychildcare
  • South Morang PreschoolchildcareReid Streetkindergarten
  • SOUTH MORANG PRIMARY SCHOOLheritageNH1398

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
  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site

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