NSW · Mid-Coast Council
Smiths Lake, NSW, 2428
Desirability index
#177 among Country & regional suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Smiths Lake is a small locality in the Mid-Coast area, home to around 1,332 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 2,246 offences in Jan 2025 to Dec 2025 with falling year-on-year trends (-6%), roughly 1686.2 offences per 1,000 residents, median weekly rent around $550 (flats $460, houses $650), strong public transport coverage with many public transport stops, a solid spread of nearby amenities and everyday services, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 1,332
- Median age
- 49
- Median household income / week
- $1,210
- Dwelling vacancy
- 35.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 289 of 807
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,473
- Employment rate
- 47.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 45 / 6 / 0
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
- Flats / units (January to March 2026)
- $460
- Houses (January to March 2026)
- $650
- All types (January to March 2026)
- $550
- Rental bonds lodged (January to March 2026)
- 207
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 · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (Jan 2025 to Dec 2025)
- 2,246
- Against the person
- 592
- Against property
- 904
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 1,686.2
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 2 residents
- State safety percentile
- 42th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -6.3%
Most common offence types
- Breach Apprehended Violence Order133
- Breach Bail Conditions216
- Domestic Violence Related Assault185
- Intimidation, Stalking And Harassment205
- Malicious Damage To Property170
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
59 public transport stops in this suburb
- 113 Patsys Flat Rd
- Macwood Rd Before Harcourt Cres
- Patsys Flat Rd At Macwood Rd
- The Lakes Way Opp Macwood Rd
- Third Ridge Rd Before Macwood Rd
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from NSW Planning Portal (lodged 2020–2026).
182 planning-related records
2026· 9 proposals
May 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 ANSETT AVENUE SMITHS LAKE 2428Under Assessment
April 2026
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure26 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure35 TROPIC GARDENS DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
March 2026
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool87 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
February 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Minor building alterations (external); Swimming pool59 AMAROO DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
January 2026
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Tennis courts; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure19 FOURTH RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool87 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Erection of a new structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support42 AMAROO DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
2025· 35 proposals
December 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool3379 THE LAKES WAY SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure102 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
November 2025
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure11 SKI COVE STREET SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure3 GORDON CRESCENT SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Shed; Erection of a new structure; Supporting Development3379 THE LAKES WAY SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support; Garage, carport or carparking space7 SECOND RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
October 2025
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Residential Accommodation31 NEW FORSTER ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
September 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Swimming pool69 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure4 TROPIC GARDENS DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Demolition; Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces115 AMAROO DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure65 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Secondary dwelling; Erection of a new structure6 PALM CLOSE SMITHS LAKE 2428Withdrawn
- Secondary dwelling; Change of use of land or a building or the classification of a building under the Building Code of Australia105 MACWOOD ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Swimming pool90 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
August 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Eco-tourist facility28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Demolition110 PATSYS FLAT ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure6 THE JACK SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure66 FIRST RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure; Garage, carport or carparking space40 SECOND RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
July 2025
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure19 THIRD RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure2 FIRST RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure5 KEITH CRESCENT SMITHS LAKE 2428Withdrawn
- Shed; Erection of a new structure30 FOURTH RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
May 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Tennis courts; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure52 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Erection of a new structure; Eco-tourist facility28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Temporary building, structure or use; Earthworks, retaining walls and structural support52 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
April 2025
- Erection of a new structure; Dual occupancy (detached)9 TROPIC GARDENS DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
March 2025
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Driveways and hard stand spaces8 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Tennis courts; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodation28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
- Dwelling house; Erection of a new structure21 FOURTH RIDGE ROAD SMITHS LAKE 2428Determined
2024· 30 proposals
30 proposals lodged in 2024. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2023· 36 proposals
36 proposals lodged in 2023. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2022· 28 proposals
28 proposals lodged in 2022. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.
2021· 44 proposals
44 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 · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
Amenities
37 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Smith's Lake CellarsAlcohol
- Bbq
- Bench (7)
- Frothy Coffee BoatshedBoat Rental
- 113 Patsys Flat RdBus stop
- Amaroo Dr at Third Ridge RdBus stop
- Amaroo Dr opp Fourth Ridge RdBus stop
- Bus stop
- Casson St at Amaroo DrBus stop
- Macwood Rd at First Ridge RdBus stop
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Coates ReservePark
- Debert ReservePark
- Veropa ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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 · 2021 SEIFA release
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- No overlay at centroid
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability index
- Desirability score
- 80.5/100
- Cohort rank
- #177 among Country & regional suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- 113 Patsys Flat Rdtransport
- Macwood Rd Before Harcourt Crestransport
- Patsys Flat Rd At Macwood Rdtransport
- The Lakes Way Opp Macwood Rdtransport
- Third Ridge Rd Before Macwood Rdtransport
- Coates Reservegovernmentpark
- Debert Reservegovernmentpark
- Veropa Parkgovernmentpark
- Veropa Parkgovernmentpark
- Alterations or additions to an existing building or structure; Balcony, deck, patio, terrace or verandah; Tennis courts; Swimming pool; Residential Accommodationplanning28 PARADISE DRIVE SMITHS LAKE 2428Lodged 23 Jan 2026 · Determined
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Updated on site
- Online DA development application register — NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure · Updated on site · Daily open-data feed (applications from Oct 2018)
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
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