suburb.guide

VIC · Knox Council

Upper Ferntree Gully, 3156

Current weather

9.9°CDense drizzle

96% humidity · 23.8 km/h wind · 11.2° / 8.9° today · 9.5 mm rain

Desirability score

57.5/100

941st in Australia

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Upper Ferntree Gully is a smaller suburban community in the Knox area, home to around 3,417 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 245 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-8%), roughly 71.7 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
3,417
Median age
41
Median household income / week
$2,039
Dwelling vacancy
4.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings
57 of 1,288
Median monthly mortgage
$2,000
Employment rate
64.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
108 / 18 / 19

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)
245
Against the person
37
Against property
158
Rate per 1,000 residents
71.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 92 residents
State safety percentile
63.1th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-8.2%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage22
  • B22 Graffiti38
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft19
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle40
  • C32 Drug Possession16

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
Median school ICSEA
1,038
  • Upper Ferntree Gully Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

24 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bike & Ride
  • Upper Ferntree Gully Rail Replacement Bus Stop
  • Upper Ferntree Gully Railway Station
  • Upper Ferntree Gully Station
  • Upper Ferntree Gully 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).

74 planning-related records

2021· 26 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Construction of storage shed
    22 ROLLINGS ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Mitigation pruning of one (1) Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum)
    7 DAWSON STREET UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works (addition of a covered area to the rear of the existing restaurant)
    1216 BURWOOD HIGHWAY UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for a shed
    9 ACACIA ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of retaining walls, outbuilding (workshop) and associated concreting
    4 BARCLAY AVENUE UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The removal of one (1) Corymbia maculata (Spotted Gum), one (1) Eucalyptus camaldulensis (River Red Gum) and the habitat pruning of one (1) Eucalyptus viminalis (Manna Gum)
    69 FERNDALE ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Altering Retaining Wall on Boundary
    14 QUARRY ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to extend an existing dwelling and carry out earthworks greater than 600mm
    12 BALDWIN AVENUE UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Minor Changes to Dwelling Design, Extension of Site Cut and Additional Shed
    69 OLD BELGRAVE ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Steel garage
    19 WYNETTE AVENUE UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a new fence
    15 TALASKIA ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Buildings and Works (Construction of vehicle detailing shed)
    1270 BURWOOD HIGHWAY UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works (construction of a double storey dwelling)
    18 BARRETT STREET UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works (Construct a shed, carport, garage roof and patio roof to existing dwelling)
    71-73 FINMERE CRESCENT UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • The removal of one (1) Cinnamomum camphora (Camphor laurel) and the pruning of one (1) Syzygium paniculatum (Magenta Lilly Pilly)
    1/11 Talaskia RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one (1) Liquidambar styraciflua (Liquidambar)
    1 Finmere CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to extend an existing dwelling
    2 KENSLEY STREET UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Maintenace Pruning of one (1) Eucalyptus bicostata
    13 Forest View LaneNo permit required

  • May 2021

  • Use and development of a dwelling, construction of an outbuilding and associated earthworks and vegetation removal
    85 FERNDALE ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a garage
    1311 BURWOOD HIGHWAY UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works (extension to existing building)
    1212 BURWOOD HIGHWAY UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding (Carport)
    20 BALDWIN AVENUE UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Existing garage converted to a habitable room
    8 Alfred StreetWithdrawn
  • Removal of one (1) Hesperocyparis lusitanica (Mexican Cypress)
    5 Mount View RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to extend an existing dwelling
    4 Irene AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • One tree to be removed
    19 Albert StreetNo permit required
2020· 14 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings and works (construction of a dwelling and medical centre) and use of the land for a medical centre
    14 MOUNT VIEW ROAD UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156NOD issued by a delegate
  • Proposed Alterations and Additions a single storey dwelling.
    7 Hilltop RoadNo permit required
  • Buildings and Works (veranda attached to the rear of the dwelling)
    14 Forest Oak DriveWithdrawn
  • Buildings & Works (first floor addition and ground floor extension to existing single storey dwelling)
    46 Willow RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct two outbuildings (Garage and Pool House) an outbuilding, decking, retaining walls, Swimming Pool and Spa, earthworks, and removal of vegetation
    8 GILMOUR LANE UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment
    165 Glenfern RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Tree Removal
    67 Ferndale RoadNo permit required

  • November 2020

  • The construction of a single storey dwelling on the land
    21 Acacia RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to the existing dwelling
    9 Wynette AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and Works (addition and alterations to an existing residence)
    1 Edward StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a two (2) storey mixed use building containing two (2) shops and four (4) dwellings, waiver of car parking requirements pursuant to clause 52.06 of the Knox Planning Scheme
    1242 BURWOOD HIGHWAY UPPER FERNTREE GULLY 3156NOD issued by a delegate
  • The construction of a dwelling on the site
    69 Old Belgrave RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to existing dwelling
    7 Fern RoadLapsed
  • Amendment
    4 Rollings RoadPermit 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

78 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • ANZATM
  • Commonwealth BankATM
  • Bench (14)
  • Bicycle Parking (5)
  • Bike LockersBicycle Parking
  • Bicycle Repair Station
  • Acacia Road/Burwood HighwayBus stop
  • Angliss Hospital/Talaskia RoadBus stop
  • Burwood Highway/Dawson StreetBus stop
  • Chandler House/16 Albert StreetBus 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

4 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Ferntree Gully Quarry Recreation ReserveNature reserve
  • Gilmour ParkPark
  • Kings ParkPark
  • Talaskia ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
12
Emergency department
On site
  • Angliss HospitalAlbert Streethospital
  • Eastern CardiologyDawson Streetdoctor
  • Eastern Skin Cancer ClinicDawson Streetdoctor
  • Ferntree OrthodonticsDawson Streetdentist
  • FoothillsBurwood Highwaydoctor
  • Glenfern DentalBurwood Highwaydentist
  • Hospitalhospital
  • Hospitalhospital
  • JD Wilson OptometristBurwood Highwayoptometrist
  • Knox & Sherbrooke Private EndoscopyAlbert Streetdoctor

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
8/10
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

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Talaskia Community Child Care CentreTalaskia Roadchildcare
  • Upper Ferntree Gully PreschoolRollings 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)
10
Parks (OSM)
9

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
57.5/100
National rank
941st in Australia
State rank
249th in VIC
Peer rank
#96 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#185 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 Damagecrime22
  • B22 Graffiticrime38
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theftcrime19
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime40
  • C32 Drug Possessioncrime16
  • Talaskia Community Child Care CentrechildcareTalaskia Roadchildcare
  • Upper Ferntree Gully PreschoolchildcareRollings Roadchildcare
  • Angliss HospitalhealthAlbert Streethospital
  • Eastern CardiologyhealthDawson Streetdoctor
  • Eastern Skin Cancer ClinichealthDawson Streetdoctor

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.