suburb.guide

VIC · Banyule Council

Watsonia North, VIC, 3087

Current weather

11.8°CModerate rain showers

90% humidity · 25.1 km/h wind · 15.4° / 10.8° today · 7.7 mm rain

Desirability score

46.1/100

2219th in Australia

85% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Watsonia North is a smaller suburban community in the Banyule area, home to around 3,799 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 170 offences in 2026 with rising year-on-year trends (+75%), roughly 44.7 offences per 1,000 residents, 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, fewer mapped amenities than nearby suburbs, 11 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.

Population

Population
3,799
Median age
41
Median household income / week
$2,069
Dwelling vacancy
3.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
55 of 1,420
Median monthly mortgage
$2,050
Employment rate
61.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
64 / 23 / 0

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)
170
Against the person
22
Against property
98
Rate per 1,000 residents
44.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 173 residents
State safety percentile
41.6th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+75.3%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage9
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary17
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle32
  • B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goods10
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order32

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
Median school ICSEA
1,080
  • Watsonia North Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

22 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Balfour Cl/Gillingham St
  • Bawden Cl/Sellars St
  • Gerrard St/Gillingham St
  • Grimshaw St/Frye St
  • Meakin St/Sellars St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

11 active roadworks / incidents

  • M80 Ring Road Completion - Greensborough - Grimshaw Street RoadworksGrimshaw Street - Greensborough24 Jul 2026 – 27 Jul 2026
  • M80 Ring Road Completion - Watsonia - Grimshaw Street RoadworksGrimshaw Street - Watsonia03 Sep 2024 – 31 Dec 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 04/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 11:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GRIMSHAW STREET, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY03 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 06/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, METROPOLITAN RING ROAD05 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 06/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.METROPOLITAN RING ROAD, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY05 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 15/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:30 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH-METROPOLITAN RING IN RAMP ON, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY14 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 20/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:30 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH-METROPOLITAN RING IN RAMP ON, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY19 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 22/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, METROPOLITAN RING ROAD21 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 22/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 7:30 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, METROPOLITAN RING ROAD21 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
  • NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 29/01/2026 and 15/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 9:30 PM to 7:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, GRIMSHAW STREET28 Jan 2026 – 14 Dec 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

16 planning-related records

2021· 6 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Eucalyptus saligna, (Sydney Blue Gum) in the rear setback as per the endorsed plan.
    44 HAKEA STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Other Vegetation Removal
    27 TRIST STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Withdrawn
  • Other Vegetation Removal For the reomal of one (1) Eucalyptus spathulata (Swamp Mallet) in the front setback as per the endorsed plan.
    57 SELLARS STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Other Vegetation Removal
    59 SELLARS STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087No permit required

  • May 2021

  • Change or extension of use and Other buildings and works and Other Veg In accordance with the endorsed plans, Development and use of the land for a child care centre and alteration of access to a Road Zone 1. Section 72 Amendment - Business Identification and Internally Illuminated Signage
    292 GRIMSHAW STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Change or extension of use and Other buildings and works and Other Veg Change or extension of use Other buildings and works Other Vegetation Removal
    292 Grimshaw StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 10 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Ext to dwelling or associated structure Development of a deck & pergola - is permit required?
    11 Middleton StreetNo permit required
  • Greater 1 new dwelling but Less 10 Development of ten (10) dwellings and alterations to a Road Zone
    270 GRIMSHAW STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087NOD issued by a delegate
  • Tree pruning For the removal of one (1) Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan
    11 Michelle AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) in the front setback and one (1) Narrow-leaved Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus nicholii) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan
    4 Dallas CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan
    4 Huntley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of three (3) Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan
    48 Meakin StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan
    23 Byrne CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Other Vegetation Removal Removal of Eucalyptus mannifera ssp. maculosa ( Red-spotted gum)
    16 Bawden ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Photinia robusta, one (1) Syzygium sp. one (1) Ceratonia siliqua and two (2) Ulmus sp. as indicated on the endorsed plan
    11 Sharpes RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Other Vegetation Removal Removal Xcupressocyparis leylandii (Leyland cypress)
    12 Binnak DrivePermit 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

10 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bbq
  • Bbq

    Watsonia North

  • Frye StreetBus stop
  • Macorna StreetBus stop
  • Peters StreetBus stop
  • Drinking water
  • Binnak Park PlaygroundPlayground
  • Recycling
  • Telstra Phone BoothTelephone
  • Steve Brittain Performing Arts and Physical EducationTheatre

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

8 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Binnak ParkPark
  • Brandon Crescent ReservePark
  • Edmund Rice-Gundry Walkway ReservePark
  • Hakea Street ReservePark
  • Kalista ParkPark
  • Lawson Street ReservePark
  • Maroondah Aqueduct Linear ReservePark
  • Selwood Court ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
9/10

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

  • childcarechildcare
  • kindergartenkindergarten

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)
8
Parks (OSM)
8

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
46.1/100
National rank
2219th in Australia
State rank
460th in VIC
Peer rank
#150 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#279 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • B21 Criminal Damagecrime9
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglarycrime17
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime32
  • B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goodscrime10
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime32
  • childcarechildcarechildcare
  • kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • Binnak Parkgovernmentpark
  • Brandon Crescent Reservegovernmentpark
  • Edmund Rice-Gundry Walkway Reservegovernmentpark

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.