SA · Port Augusta Council
Port Augusta West, 5700
Current weather
13.5°CPartly cloudy
70% humidity · 19.1 km/h wind · 16.1° / 8.6° today · 1 mm rain
Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Port Augusta West offers a slower mid-sized suburb life in Port Augusta, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Distance from the capital is noticeable, but the trade-off is space, calm and a community that knows its neighbours. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting. Parks, reserves and open space make it genuinely outdoor-friendly for walks, sport and weekend downtime.
Buses and nearby services make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. The area offers approachable housing costs alongside a lifestyle that still feels complete.
The desirability score is below average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and safety against similar regional towns, even with transport and access and parks and green space holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 4,046
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $1,396
- Dwelling vacancy
- 13.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 239 of 1,784
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,279
- Employment rate
- 53.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 130 / 194 / 86
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
- Flats / units (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $300
- Houses (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $380
- All types (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- $370
- Rental bonds lodged (01/01/26 to 31/03/26)
- 40
Median weekly rent from SA Housing Authority rental bond data. 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
- SA Housing Authority rent & sales reports — Government of South Australia · Period: 1 January - 31 March 2026 · Updated on site · Quarterly releases
Crime & safety
- Total offences (2024–25)
- 964
- Against the person
- 323
- Against property
- 641
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 238.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 13 residents
- State safety percentile
- 95.5th (lower crime is better)
- Family & domestic abuse offences
- 982
- Increase (daily rate)
- +2.8%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- Other Property Damage And Environmental216
- Other Theft67
- Sct - Residence90
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injury194
- Theft From Shop93
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Period: 2023-24 → 2024-25; 2024-25 · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 5 (3 schools, 2 preschools)
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 924
- Caritas CollegeCombined · ICSEA 995
- Flinders View Child Parent CentreChinnery StreetPreschools
- Flinders View Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 761
- Port Augusta Special SchoolMcSporran CrescentSpecial Education
- Port Augusta West Childhood Services Centre1A Stokes TerracePreschools
- Port Augusta West Primary SchoolPrimary · ICSEA 924
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- Government education sites register — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site · Static register
- School ICSEA (ACARA) — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
45 public transport stops in this suburb
- Shirley St / Kittel St - North side
- Stop 21 Cobbin St / Addison Rd - North side
- Stop 24 Shirley St / Platt St - North West side
- Stop 5 Chinnery St / Bryant St - West side
- Stop 7 Chinnery St / Lethbridge Ct - South West side
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- Adelaide Metro GTFS stops — Department for Infrastructure and Transport (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Planning & development
Development applications from PlanSA register (lodged 2020–2026) and EPA licensed activities.
233 planning-related records
2026· 19 proposals
June 2026
- Verandah6 INGLIS CT PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
May 2026
- Attached Gable Verandah for Outdoor Entertaining Area115 SHIRLEY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Variation to Development Application 660/108/2013 - Construct 10 tourist accommodation units with associated open space and car parking.145 CAROONA RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- 12.2 X 9.1 X3.6high shed to be used for vehicle storage, boat and home workshop. 5.8 X 9.1 X 2.7high shed to be used as art studio (personal) .9 TANSELL ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Attached Verandah at Rear of Dwelling4 KELLY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Attached Flat Roof Carport13 BENGTELL CL PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
April 2026
- SHED / STORAGE24 SANDERSON ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Patio18 WOODFORDE ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
March 2026
- Carport & Verandah153 SHIRLEY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Fitout of existing building to accommodate change of use as an office for employment and workforce development services6 LOUDON RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- 9.1 x 6.1 x 2.4H Shed91 SHIRLEY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Inground Swimming Pool32 SIMMONS CR PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Single story dwelling9 SHERRY RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
February 2026
- RETROSPECTIVE - Approval for a stratco carport that is already constructed at the font of he property4 WATERS CR PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Land division 1 into 1350 -66 COBBIN ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Variation to authorisation 660/108/2013 for ‘Tourist Accommodation’.145 CAROONA RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
January 2026
- Carport13 CRICHTON DR PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Would like to build a verandah and shed. Verandah will be free standing not attached to the house nor the shed.24 SHERRY RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Carport18 HARRIS CR PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
2025· 21 proposals
December 2025
- VERANDAH13 HAMILTON RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- SHED17 TAMBLYN ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- 10m x 4m x 2.4h Shed for Storage99 SHIRLEY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
November 2025
- Replacement of existing four light poles at Chinery Oval with 5 by 25-meter-tall light towers each with LED lights. Lighting design is for 100 lux.LOT 243 DONALDSON TCE PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Build freestanding carport11A MELLOR ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
October 2025
- New timber frame, james hardie weatherboard dwelling approximately 354m2.10 TAMBLYN ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Currently have a 6m x 6m open carport but new car doesn’t fit. Looking to extend carport 3m east to make it 9m x 6m to fit new car93 -101 SLADE RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
September 2025
- inground Swimming Pool233 EYRE HWY PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Attached Flat Roof Verandah28 STOKES TCE PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Divide existing allotment into 4 plus balance3 -5 CLEARY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Expansion of existing educational facility comprising an Ausco modular GLA classroom (Stage 1), specialist building (Stage 2) & a senior centre (Stage 3).LOT 9 WOODFORDE ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
August 2025
- Construction of detached dwelling18 SHERRY RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- stratco gable/flat patio for entertainment12 RAEDEL CT PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
July 2025
- Fencing, carport adjustment4 WARRENBACK RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Construction of single storey dwelling for Supported accommodation14 SHERRY RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Construction of single storey dwelling. Supported accommodation16 SHERRY RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Change of Use (Dwelling to Shop) at 14 Eyre Highway, Port Augusta West. Alterations and additions to existing buildings (roofed alfresco areas).12 EYRE HWY PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700;14 EYRE HWY PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
June 2025
- Friendly neighbour fence with neighbours . On Eyre hwy 2100mm spear tubular fencing with a 4000mm sliding gate at existing driveway.on Burgoyne st 2100mm tubular fencing with spears on top and another 4000mm sliding gate. Fencing to be within 6m of the apex of the property boundaries at the street corner.6 EYRE HWY PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Under Assessment
- Detached Dwelling21 SHERRY RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Update to Essential Safety Provisions Schedule OnlyLOT 9 WOODFORDE ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
- Outbuilding (Shed)83 SLADE RD PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Decision Made
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Period: 2020–2026 · Updated on site
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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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
Heritage
1 state heritage place
- Heritage placeState heritage
Data sources & freshness
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Paisley Park Early Learning Centrekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · Period: current · Updated on site
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid against all current SA Planning risk layers (high, medium, general, urban interface, regional, outback). Safer places from CFS designated locations.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Bushfire & hazard overlays (SA) — Government of South Australia · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 9
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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 features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 38.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 3737th in Australia
- State rank
- 373rd in SA
- Peer rank
- #30 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #78 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Other Property Damage And Environmentalcrime216
- Other Theftcrime67
- Sct - Residencecrime90
- Serious Assault Not Resulting In Injurycrime194
- Theft From Shopcrime93
- Paisley Park Early Learning Centrechildcarekindergarten
- Heritage placeheritageState heritage
- 10m x 4m x 2.4h Shed for Storageplanning99 SHIRLEY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Lodged 09 Dec 2025 · Decision Made
- 12.2 X 9.1 X3.6high shed to be used for vehicle storage, boat and home workshop. 5.8 X 9.1 X 2.7high shed to be used as art studio (personal) .planning9 TANSELL ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Lodged 15 May 2026 · Under Assessment
- 9.1 x 6.1 x 2.4H Shedplanning91 SHIRLEY ST PORT AUGUSTA WEST SA 5700Lodged 20 Mar 2026 · Decision Made
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services (SA) — OpenStreetMap + SA Education · Updated on site
- SA Heritage Places database — Department for Environment and Water (SA) · Updated on site
- PlanSA development applications & EPA licences — Government of South Australia — PlanSA · Updated on site
- SAPOL reported crime statistics — South Australia Police — OpenData · Updated on site · Financial-year releases
More in Port Augusta Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of South Australia.