Median house price
$880k
+2.3% change
NSW · Lake Macquarie Council
Brightwaters, 2264
Est. population · Jun 2025
936
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.6%
Median age
50
Median income
$1,419/wk
Employment rate
49.5%
Median house price · October to December 2025
$880,000
Languages at home
6.1%non-English
Most common: Australian Indigenous languages, Cantonese, Greek
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Brightwaters is a quieter smaller community in Lake Macquarie Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. The capital is not on the doorstep: Sydney is a proper journey, while nearby towns cover more day-to-day needs. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life.
Everyday cafés are limited locally, with the wider metro area covering the bigger food and entertainment trips. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Desirability sits below average overall, with schools and education, plus safety the main drag compared with similar metro suburbs. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Brightwaters snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$610/wk
Population (ERP)
936
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
14.9%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Livability profile
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
How it compares
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#126
among Metro Sydney · Mature
Safety
57th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
69th
percentile in NSW
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
47th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Population growth
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Housing mix
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Risks & flags
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Living here
Desirability
Ranks & confidence
- Desirability score
- 28.0/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5879th in Australia
- State rank
- 1899th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #126 among Metro Sydney · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #843 among Metro Sydney suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $628
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 99
- Median house price (October to December 2025)
- $880,000
- Median price change
- +2.3%
Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DCJ rent and sales tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · January to March 2026; October to December 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases
Population
Estimated resident population
936(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +7.6% over 5 years · 69th percentile in NSW
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +7.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +10
- Change in 5 years
- +66
- Growth rank in NSW
- 69th percentile
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
Methodology
Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.
The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~1,000), extrapolated at +1.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 875
- Median age
- 50
- Median household income / week
- $1,419
- Dwelling vacancy
- 14.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 60 of 403
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 49.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 337 / 5 / 7
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 · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
- Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries
Community & culture
No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Crime & safety
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 72
- Against the person
- 18
- Against property
- 27
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 76.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 49 residents
- State safety percentile
- 56.7th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -12%
Most common offence types
- Domestic Violence Related Assault97
- Fraud105
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment115
- Malicious Damage To Property97
- Transport Regulatory Offences251
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated · Rolling 12-month windows
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,001
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 47th
School list
- Brightwaters Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1001 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 106 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
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 · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Public transport
27 public transport stops in this suburb
- Dandaraga Rd After Buttaba Rd
- Dandaraga Rd At Kimbul Rd
- Dandaraga Rd Opp Buttaba Rd
- Fishery Point Rd At Yarrawonga Park Rd
- Fishery Point Rd Opp Yarrawonga Park Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · current · Updated · Nightly GTFS feed
Amenities
14 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 27 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.14
Community(1)
- Brightwaters Christian CollegeSchool
82 Bulgonia Road, Brightwaters
Sport & outdoors(2)
- Brightwaters Hall ReservePark
- Playground
Transport(7)
7 bus stops
Other(3)
- Parking
- Picnic Table (2)
- Public toilets
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
- Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Parks & reserves
1 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Brightwaters Hall ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 1
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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 — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Moriseset Comunity Health Centre (6.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 33
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 35.3
Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.
For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.
Data sources & freshness
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
Weather
Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
- Usual max / min
- 27° / 18°
- Rainfall
- 295 mm · ~37 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 366 mm · ~46 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 272 mm · ~34 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 23° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 230 mm · ~29 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
- Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated
Future & Planning
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal.
2026· 6 proposals
August 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty; Boat launching ramp64A BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Under Assessment
July 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool46A BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Additional Information Requested
May 2026
- Demolition; Subdivision; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)29 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Additional Information Requested
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure43 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
April 2026
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development12 PILLAPAI ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure22 PILLAPAI ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
2025· 13 proposals
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation102A DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
October 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure62 PILLAPAI ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool31 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure; Non-standard Housing24 PILLAPAI ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation32 PILLAPAI ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Water recreation structure37 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
August 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure24 BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
July 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Waterway structures - minor alterations2 PILLAPAI ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
April 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool37 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
March 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah68 BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
February 2025
- Secondary dwelling; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure54 BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Jetty; Boat launching ramp64A BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
January 2025
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies67 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
2024· 10 proposals
July 2024
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure97 BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation45 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
May 2024
- Temporary building, structure or use; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support12 BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Carport30 BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool7B KIMBUL ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure5 KALLAROO ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
April 2024
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Supporting Development11 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
March 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure57C BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation68A BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation62 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
2023· 13 proposals
November 2023
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure54 BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
September 2023
- Subdivision56 BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
August 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces69 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Shed37 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
July 2023
- Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed14 BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Dwelling; Demolition32 PILLAPAI ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development24 BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Alterations and additions to residential development28 BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
June 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development50 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling14 BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
March 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development1 DANDARAGA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing78 BULGONIA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Withdrawn
February 2023
- Alterations and additions to residential development44 BUTTABA ROAD BRIGHTWATERS 2264Determined
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · 2026 · Updated · Daily feed (from Oct 2018)
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
- Federal electorate
- Hunter
- Member of Parliament
- Dan REPACHOLI (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 132,184
- Turnout (2025)
- 91.9%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +4.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 40.5%Labor 59.5%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 8.7 km away).
Coalition 41.8%Labor 58.2%
1.3 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +5.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Morisset PeninsulaLabor 59.7% · Coalition 40.3% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Bonnells BayLabor 56.1% · Coalition 43.9% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
- Wyee PointLabor 55.3% · Coalition 44.7% TPP (2025)4.5 km away
- Dora CreekLabor 51.3% · Coalition 48.7% TPP (2025)5.0 km away
- MorissetLabor 61.2% · Coalition 38.8% TPP (2025)5.3 km away
Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.
Data sources & freshness
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?
IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.
IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.
A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)
Data sources & freshness
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Lake Macquarie Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.