NSW · Kempsey Council

Dondingalong, NSW, 2440

Desirability index

3.2/100

#915 among Country & regional suburbs

How this score is calculated

Last updated 1 July 2026 at 10:11 pm AEST

Suburb snapshot

Dondingalong is a small locality in the Kempsey area, home to around 712 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 4,099 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with relatively stable year-on-year trends (+5%), roughly 5757.0 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $480 (flats $380, houses $490), strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, 1 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Use the sections below for detailed population, safety, schools, and local activity data.

Population

Population: 712
Median age: 51
Median household income / week: $1,164
Dwelling vacancy: 7.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings: 21 of 284
Median monthly mortgage: $1,225
Employment rate: 49.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats): 12 / 0 / 0

Data sources & freshness

2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 8:23 pm AEST · 2021 Census release
The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026): $380
Houses (January to March 2026): $490
All types (January to March 2026): $480

Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026): 112

Median weekly rent from NSW DCJ rent tables. Figures can be unreliable where few bonds were lodged in the quarter.

Data sources & freshness

DCJ rent tables — NSW Department of Communities and Justice · Period: January to March 2026 · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 8:44 pm AEST · Quarterly releases

Crime & safety

Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025): 4,099
Against the person: 1,083
Against property: 1,585
Rate per 1,000 residents: 5,757
Person-crime prevalence: About 1 in 1 residents
State safety percentile: 62.9th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change: +4.9%

Most common offence types

Breach Apprehended Violence Order264
Breach Bail Conditions556
Domestic Violence Related Assault317
Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment411
Malicious Damage To Property362

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 1 July 2026 at 9:56 pm AEST · Rolling 12-month windows

Public transport

28 public transport stops in this suburb

Church Davy Lane
Dondingalong Rd At Gowings Hill Rd
Mary's Bay / Gowings Hill
Marys Bay Rd At Gowings Hill Rd
Pipers Creek Rd Opp Ballengara Rd

Data sources & freshness

GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 10:07 pm AEST · GTFS static feed

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

Check signage. Follow directions on site. Exercise caution. <strong>Unsealed Roads - Maintenance Grading Program</strong>To StartPipers Creek Road24 May 2026 – 03 Jul 2026

Data sources & freshness

Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 8:46 pm AEST · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).

76 planning-related records

2026· 10 proposals

May 2026
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal)29 May 2026
103 WIRRANG DRIVE DONDINGALONG 2440Under Assessment
Shed; Erection of a new structure28 May 2026
459 GOWINGS HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
March 2026
Shed; Erection of a new structure25 Mar 2026
11 FRASER CLOSE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
February 2026
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool25 Feb 2026
21 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 Feb 2026
61 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure05 Feb 2026
OAKLAND ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
January 2026
Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah27 Jan 2026
59 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space23 Jan 2026
17 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Shed; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space23 Jan 2026
40 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation19 Jan 2026
40 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined

2025· 8 proposals

November 2025
Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool19 Nov 2025
11 MEREWETHER LANE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Shed; Erection of a new structure04 Nov 2025
408 MARYS BAY ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
October 2025
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure27 Oct 2025
42 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
July 2025
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 Jul 2025
31 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah04 Jul 2025
59 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
March 2025
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation06 Mar 2025
63 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
February 2025
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure23 Feb 2025
152 DONDINGALONG ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
January 2025
Shed; Erection of a new structure05 Jan 2025
75 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined

2024· 18 proposals

December 2024
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure20 Dec 2024
11 MEREWETHER LANE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure16 Dec 2024
459 GOWINGS HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure10 Dec 2024
17 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
October 2024
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure17 Oct 2024
50 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation04 Oct 2024
86 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
August 2024
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure30 Aug 2024
58 SPRING HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
July 2024
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure01 Jul 2024
62 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
April 2024
Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)29 Apr 2024
690 GOWINGS HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space12 Apr 2024
90 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure03 Apr 2024
126 DONDINGALONG ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
February 2024
Shed; Erection of a new structure29 Feb 2024
14 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Withdrawn
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation20 Feb 2024
21 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure15 Feb 2024
50 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)14 Feb 2024
63 OAKLAND ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure08 Feb 2024
398 GOWINGS HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Shed; Erection of a new structure07 Feb 2024
44 OLD PIPERS CREEK ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
January 2024
Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)12 Jan 2024
212 DONDINGALONG ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Deferred Commencement
Shed; Erection of a new structure09 Jan 2024
94 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined

2023· 24 proposals

December 2023
Erection of a new structure; Residential Accommodation19 Dec 2023
56 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Shed; Erection of a new structure19 Dec 2023
400 GOWINGS HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Determined
Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia18 Dec 2023
1026 GOWINGS HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Deferred Commencement
Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure18 Dec 2023
8 MASSIE PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Determined

2022· 12 proposals

12 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

2021· 4 proposals

4 proposals lodged in 2021. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Period: 2020–2026; 2021; 2022… · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 9:16 pm AEST · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)

Amenities

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 8:43 pm AEST · Weekly refresh

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021): 2/10
IRSD decile (2021): 2/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 8:24 pm AEST · 2021 SEIFA release

Heritage

1 state heritage place

Pipers Creek Lime KilnsKumbatine National Park Bonnie Corner Road DondingalongSHR

Data sources & freshness

State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 9:19 pm AEST

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone: Overlay applies

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping.

Data sources & freshness

Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 9:53 pm AEST

Desirability index

Desirability score: 3.2/100
Cohort rank: #915 among Country & regional suburbs

Data sources & freshness

Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 10:11 pm AEST · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

Church Davy Lanetransport
Dondingalong Rd At Gowings Hill Rdtransport
Mary's Bay / Gowings Hilltransport
Marys Bay Rd At Gowings Hill Rdtransport
Pipers Creek Rd Opp Ballengara Rdtransport
Pipers Creek Lime KilnsheritageKumbatine National Park Bonnie Corner Road DondingalongSHR
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandahplanning59 SEAM MILL PLACE DONDINGALONG 2440Lodged 04 Jul 2025 · Determined
Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Minor building alterations (internal)planning103 WIRRANG DRIVE DONDINGALONG 2440Lodged 29 May 2026 · Under Assessment
Dual occupancy; Dwelling house; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australiaplanning1026 GOWINGS HILL ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Lodged 18 Dec 2023 · Deferred Commencement
Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structureplanning152 DONDINGALONG ROAD DONDINGALONG 2440Lodged 23 Feb 2025 · Determined

Data sources & freshness

State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 9:19 pm AEST
Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 9:16 pm AEST · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site 1 July 2026 at 10:07 pm AEST · GTFS static feed

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