suburb.guide

NSW · Newcastle Council

Merewether Heights, 2291

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,557

Growth (1 yr)

+0.9%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.5%

Median age

41

Median income

$3,022/wk

Employment rate

63.5%

University qualified

41.4%

Work from home

33.3%

Median house price · October to December 2025

$2,213,000

Languages at home

6%non-English

Most common: Italian, Hindi, Greek

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

51/100
Average

Top 30% of New South Wales' suburbs

Verified 95% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Hills
  • Rural living
What Merewether Heights is known for: Hills, Rural living

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Merewether Heights, NSW suburb snapshot — Suburb Guide

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Suburb Guide, “Merewether Heights, NSW Suburb Guide”, updated 1 October 2026, https://suburb.guide/nsw/merewether-heights

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Suburb profile

Merewether Heights is a semi-rural locality near Sydney, in Newcastle Council.

Walkability is a strong feature of the suburb. Local school ICSEA scores are among the highest in the peer group, placing it among the highest-ranked semi-rural and lifestyle localities. University qualifications are among the highest in the peer group, with university qualifications 100% above the peer median, and household incomes are a relative strength, with household incomes 57% above the peer median, and green cover is an exceptional strength. Housing is among the most expensive in its peer group, with median house prices 111% above the peer median.

Overall, Merewether Heights suits people prioritising school quality and university qualifications over lower housing costs.

Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.

Strengths and weaknesses

Semi-rural locality · compared with semi-rural and lifestyle localities in New South Wales (189)

Strengths

  • Local school ICSEA scores are among the highest in the peer group
  • University qualifications are among the highest in the peer group
  • Household incomes are a relative strength
  • Green cover is stronger than in comparable places
  • Walkability is a relative strength

Weaknesses

  • Housing is among the most expensive in its peer group

What stands out

Nothing distinctive beyond the usual profile.

Who it suits

  • Families
  • Professionals
  • Retirees
  • Students
  • Budget buyers

Housing, growth and risk

How Merewether Heights compares

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$2.21M

+5.4% change

Median rent

$720/wk

Houses $950 · Units $600

Population (ERP)

1,557

+0.9% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

3.2%

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

#183

among Metro Sydney · Established

Crime rate

59th

percentile in state (higher = more crime)

Pop. growth

64th

percentile in NSW

Rented dwellings

9%

2021 Census tenure

Advantage (IRSAD)

10/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

86th

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
51.0/100 — Average
State standing
Top 30% of New South Wales' suburbs
National rank
1794th in Australia
State rank
625th in NSW
Peer rank
#183 among Metro Sydney · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#395 among Metro Sydney suburbs
Data confidence
95%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

Flats / units (January to March 2026)
$600
Houses (January to March 2026)
$950
All types (January to March 2026)
$720
Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
167
Median house price (October to December 2025)
$2,213,000
Median price change
+5.4%

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 (10%) · Future Growth (6%)

Household crowding and healthy vacancy — not cheapness Modest price change as a healthy-growth band

Data sources & freshness

Population

Estimated resident population

1,557(June 2025)

+0.9% annual · +3.5% over 5 years · 64th percentile in NSW

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.9%
5-year growth
+3.5%
Change in 1 year
+14
Change in 5 years
+52
Growth rank in NSW
64th 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 (~1,600), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,495
Median age
41
Median household income / week
$3,022
Dwelling vacancy
3.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
16 of 494
Median monthly mortgage
$2,600
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$580
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
43.8% / 47% / 9.2%
Employment rate
63.5%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
33.3% / 0% / 50.9%
Walked or cycled to work
1.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
465 / 13 / 0

Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)

Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census was conducted 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

Qualifications

41.4% of adults have a university degree, compared with 27.8% across New South Wales. 11.8% have a trade or vocational qualification.

  • University qualified41.4% · 27.8% NSW
  • Diploma qualified10.6% · 9.3% NSW
  • Trade / vocational11.8% · 15% NSW
  • Year 12 or below36.1% · 47.9% NSW

Highest qualification field

Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).

  • Management and commerce23.9%
  • Health16.7%
  • Engineering and related technologies15.8%
  • Society and culture12.9%
  • Education12.5%
  • Architecture and building5.1%
How these groups are defined
MeasureDefinition
University qualifiedBachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualifiedAdvanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocationalCertificate III + IV
Year 12Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below

People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)

University qualifications from the 2021 Census

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Tax & income

Median taxable income (2023–24)
$71,892

90th percentile in NSW · +22% vs Australia

Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$71,673

76th percentile in NSW · +10% vs Australia

Residents with rental investments
22.0%

90th percentile in NSW · +59% vs Australia

Median super balance (2023–24)
$129,236

93rd percentile in NSW · +104% vs Australia

Residents with business income
11.0%

62nd percentile in NSW · +6% vs Australia

Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 2291 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.

Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
9,598
Taxpayers reporting net rent
2,080
Median net rent
$55
Taxpayers reporting business income
1,036
Taxable income vs state median
+28%
Salary / wages vs state median
+14%
Rental investment vs state median
+57%
Super vs state median
+84%
Business income vs state median
+10%

Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in NSW, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.

Data sources & freshness

  • Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary

Community & culture

6% speak a language other than English at home; 9.7% born overseas

Language at home
1,384 English only · 88 other
Non-English at home
6%
Born overseas
143 (9.7%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
27 (1.8%)
Australian citizens
1,440
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
5

Top languages other than English

Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).

  • Italian7 · 29.2%
  • Hindi6 · 25%
  • Greek4 · 16.7%
  • Gujarati4 · 16.7%
  • Mandarin3 · 12.5%

Religion

47.6%No religion

No religion is the most common response at 47.6%, while Christianity accounts for 44.5%.

MeasureSuburbState
No religion47.6%32.8%
Christianity44.5%47.6%
Other / not stated7.8%19.6%
Christian denominations
DenominationSuburbState
Catholic19.9%22.4%
Anglican13%11.9%
Uniting Church2.9%2.1%
Eastern Orthodox2.9%2.5%
Presbyterian and Reformed2.5%1.9%

2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Offence counts are estimated for this suburb from postcode 2291, which is shared with other suburbs.

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
125
Against the person
21
Against property
82
Rate per 1,000 residents
80.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 71 residents
State crime-rate percentile
59th (higher = more crime)
Increase (daily rate)
+0.3%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
6
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
3.85

Most common offence types

  • Break And Enter Dwelling14
  • Fraud8
  • Malicious Damage To Property9
  • Steal From Dwelling8
  • Steal From Motor Vehicle26

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
8
Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
1,105
Median ICSEA percentile
86th
Primary catchments overlapping suburb
3
Secondary catchments overlapping suburb
2
School list
  • Merewether Heights Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1129 · 91th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 269 students · Top SEA quarter 52% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
  • St Columba's Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1107 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 168 students · Top SEA quarter 44% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
  • Merewether Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 950 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 139 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
  • Adamstown Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1078 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 19% · 439 students · Top SEA quarter 37% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
  • Belair Public SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1103 · 85th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 409 students · Top SEA quarter 45% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Merewether High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1206 · 99th percentile · LBOTE 34% · 1,080 students · Top SEA quarter 73% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Trinity Catholic CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1090 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 849 students · Top SEA quarter 37% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Holy Family Primary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1132 · 92th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 198 students · Top SEA quarter 52% · 2.0 km awayView on My School →
School catchments
  • Adamstown PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
  • Kotara HSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
  • Merewether Hts PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
  • Merewether PSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
  • Newcastle HSGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment

Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.

Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)

Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

28 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Hatfield St At Sun Hill Dr
  • Merewether Heights Public School, Scenic Dr
  • Scenic Dr At Sun Hill Dr
  • Scenic Dr Opp Sun Hill Dr
  • Sun Hill Dr Opp Elsworth Pde

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Public transport stops per 1,000 residents and walkability

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 mapped amenities

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily needs
  • Well connected by public transport — 28 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
0
Community(1)
  • Merewether Heights Primary SchoolSchool

    Merewether Heights

Sport & outdoors(5)
  • MerewetherCycling route
  • Merewether Beach-Merewether HeightsCycling route
  • R1-13 Highfields - Scenic Drive to Fernleigh TrackCycling route
  • R4 Warners Bay to MayfieldCycling route
  • R5 Newcastle City to Speers PointCycling route
Transport(7)

7 bus stops

Other(1)
  • Scenic Lodge MerewetherSocial Facility

    251 Scenic Drive

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Green cover

Green cover of suburb area
10.6%
Woodland / forest cover
9.6%
Parks & woodland features (OSM)
1
Parks (OSM)
0
Typical summer maximum
27°C

Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)

Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries

Health access

Nearest hospital
Lingard Private Hospital (2.3 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
GP clinics in suburb
0
Aged-care services
1
Residential aged-care places
57

GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).

Aged-care services
  • Anglican Care Scenic Lodge MerewetherMEREWETHERResidential

Australian Government–subsidised services from the AIHW GEN list (30 June 2025), assigned to this suburb by location.

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Hospitals, GPs and aged care

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
36
Participants per 1,000 residents
23.1

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

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 (12%)

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· 8 proposals

  • September 2026

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    36 REMBRANDT DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Additional Information Requested

  • August 2026

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    59 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure
    14 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • July 2026

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    38 THE QUARTER DECK MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    38 THE QUARTER DECK MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • June 2026

  • Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool
    3 TOORAK COURT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • March 2026

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah (screened enclosures)
    27 THE QUARTER DECK MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    6 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
2025· 12 proposals

  • October 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    8 THE GROVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • September 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure
    14 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • August 2025

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Awnings, blinds and canopies; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Driveways and hard stand spaces; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Fences; Swimming pool
    34 SUMMER PLACE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • July 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Rainwater tanks
    6 VIEW STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    23 REMBRANDT DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    220 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • May 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    37 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    9 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • April 2025

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    36 THE QUARTER DECK MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    23 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Withdrawn
  • Signage; Advertising and signage
    156 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    20 ASHFORD PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
2024· 15 proposals

  • December 2024

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space
    3 HATFIELD STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • October 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    53 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • September 2024

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    4 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • August 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    13 ELSWORTH PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Garage, carport or carparking space; Minor building alterations (internal); Rainwater tanks; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation
    6 VIEW STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • July 2024

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    43 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Withdrawn

  • June 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    59 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • May 2024

  • Residential care facility; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    251 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    8 THE GROVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • April 2024

  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    4 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    200 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Withdrawn
  • Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    11 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • March 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    24 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • February 2024

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Residential Accommodation
    11 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • January 2024

  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space
    27 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
2023· 10 proposals

  • December 2023

  • Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Swimming pool
    7 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Garage, carport or carparking space
    239 SCENIC DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • October 2023

  • Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure
    9 THE GROVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    1 5 ROENTGEN CLOSE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support
    11 SUN HILL DRIVE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space
    21 ELSWORTH PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined
  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    13 CEDAR CRESCENT MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • September 2023

  • Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure
    30 BERSHIRE AVENUE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • July 2023

  • Garages, carports and car parking spaces
    33 ELSWORTH PARADE MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

  • June 2023

  • Garages, carports and car parking spaces
    7 PEAK STREET MEREWETHER HEIGHTS 2291Determined

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid
Flood / inundation overlay
No mapped inundation on suburb boundary

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via NSW bush fire prone land mapping. Flood cover uses NSW flood planning polygons against the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Bushfire and flood hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Bushfire and flood planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Newcastle
Member of Parliament
Sharon CLAYDON (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
126,226
Turnout (2025)
92.2%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+2.9 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 29.2%Labor 70.8%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.3 km away).

Coalition 36.8%Labor 63.2%

7.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +4.2 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Merewether HeightsLabor 61.5% · Coalition 38.5% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
  • Adamstown SouthLabor 71.3% · Coalition 28.7% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
  • Beaumont ParkLabor 75.8% · Coalition 24.2% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
  • Merewether SouthLabor 61.7% · Coalition 38.3% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
  • Adamstown NorthLabor 74.2% · Coalition 25.8% TPP (2025)1.8 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

Socio-economic

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

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 (12%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD and IRSD deciles)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Newcastle Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of New South Wales.