NSW · Ballina Council
Brooklet, 2479
Current weather
18.5°COvercast
86% humidity · 6.2 km/h wind · 21.1° / 15.2° today · 0.1 mm rain
Desirability score
- Premium
- Safe area
- Transport
- Regional
- Established
Suburb profile
Brooklet offers a slower smaller community life in Ballina, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Life revolves around the local community, with the wider region offering trips and services when needed. The landscape itself is part of the lifestyle: open paddocks, big skies and room to breathe.
An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Reasonable public transport access helps with commuting and getting around locally.
Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and transport and access against similar regional towns, even with safety and community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 253
- Median age
- 51
- Median household income / week
- $2,083
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 9 of 102
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,221
- Employment rate
- 60.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 12 / 0 / 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.
Housing
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $1,060
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 37
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 tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 6
- Against the person
- 2
- Against property
- 3
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 23.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 126 residents
- State safety percentile
- 3.3th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -24.8%
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Break And Enter Dwelling10
- Domestic Violence Related Assault15
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment13
- Malicious Damage To Property11
- Steal From Motor Vehicle14
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 · Period: Jan 2024 to Dec 2024 → Jan 2025 to Dec 2025; Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
Public transport
9 public transport stops in this suburb
- Brooklet Turnaround, Friday Hut Rd
- Fernleigh Rd At Rishworths Lane
- Fernleigh Rd Opp 947
- Fernleigh Rd Opp Rishworths Lane
- Friday Hut Rd At Emigrant Crossing
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 · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
36 planning-related records
2026· 2 proposals
June 2026
- Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Landscaping structures; Tennis courts; Supporting Development709 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Under Assessment
March 2026
- Demolition; Shed; Supporting Development709 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
2025· 13 proposals
November 2025
- Subdivision769 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
October 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Tourist and visitor accommodation933 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Additional Information Requested
September 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tennis courts; Recreation facility (outdoor)826 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)771 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)565 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
July 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Swimming pool783 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Tennis courts; Recreation facility (outdoor)826 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
April 2025
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation35 TALGARNO LANE BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation789 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Demolition; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Dual occupancy (detached)565 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure765 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
February 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Cabanas, cubby houses, ferneries, garden sheds, gazebos and greenhouses; Carport; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool719 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Temporary building, structure or use; Dual occupancy (detached)866 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
2024· 4 proposals
December 2024
- Shed; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached); Tennis courts; Recreation facility (outdoor); Tourist and visitor accommodation; Swimming pool826 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
November 2024
- Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space709 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
April 2024
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space; Residential Accommodation2 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
March 2024
- Subdivision; Agriculture877 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
2023· 8 proposals
November 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool709 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
October 2023
- Dual occupancy; Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (attached)467 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Balconies, decks, patios, terraces or verandahs; Demolition; Garages, carports and car parking spaces709 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
September 2023
- Erection of a new structure; Farm building736 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Pools / decks / fencing957 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
August 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing; Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees; Shed914 Fernleigh Road, BROOKLET / 1/1036645Determined
May 2023
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Garages, carports and car parking spaces828 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
January 2023
- Pools / decks / fencing; Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees709 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
2022· 3 proposals
December 2022
- Alterations and additions to residential development; Earthworks / change in levels; Garages, carports and car parking spaces517 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
April 2022
- Pools / decks / fencing525 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
January 2022
- Dual occupancy; Alterations and additions to residential development; Earthworks / change in levels; Retaining walls, protection of trees866 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
2021· 6 proposals
November 2021
- Dwelling; Demolition57 JORGENSENS LANE BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Subdivision of land467 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
October 2021
- Dual occupancy847 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
September 2021
- Subdivision of land877 FRIDAY HUT ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
- Dwelling; Change of use778 Friday Hut Road, BrookletDetermined
- Dwelling; Pools / decks / fencing; Garages, carports and car parking spaces; Shed828 FERNLEIGH ROAD BROOKLET 2479Determined
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 · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
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
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 10/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 10/10
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
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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 · Period: current · Updated on site
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 39.2/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3494th in Australia
- State rank
- 1100th in NSW
- Peer rank
- #148 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #362 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 60%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Break And Enter Dwellingcrime10
- Domestic Violence Related Assaultcrime15
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassmentcrime13
- Malicious Damage To Propertycrime11
- Steal From Motor Vehiclecrime14
- Brooklet Turnaround, Friday Hut Rdtransport
- Fernleigh Rd At Rishworths Lanetransport
- Fernleigh Rd Opp 947transport
- Fernleigh Rd Opp Rishworths Lanetransport
- Friday Hut Rd At Emigrant Crossingtransport
Data sources & freshness
- BOCSAR postcode crime statistics — NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Updated on site · Rolling 12-month windows
- Timetables Complete GTFS stops (© Transport for NSW, CC BY 4.0) — Transport for NSW — Open Data Hub · Updated on site · GTFS static feed (updated nightly)
More in Ballina Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.