suburb.guide

VIC · Port Phillip Council

Balaclava (Vic.), VIC, 3183

Current weather

13.3°CModerate rain showers

79% humidity · 27.2 km/h wind · 15.9° / 11.5° today · 6.9 mm rain

Desirability index

22.3/100

#377 among Metro Melbourne suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Balaclava (Vic.) is a smaller suburban community in the Port Phillip area, home to around 5,392 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 900 offences in 2026 with rising year-on-year trends (+12%), roughly 166.9 offences per 1,000 residents, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
5,392
Median age
35
Median household income / week
$2,026
Dwelling vacancy
16%
Unoccupied private dwellings
462 of 2,886
Median monthly mortgage
$2,223
Employment rate
70.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
83 / 514 / 1,474

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.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
900
Against the person
94
Against property
695
Rate per 1,000 residents
166.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 57 residents
State safety percentile
88.9th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
+11.7%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage52
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle119
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store278
  • B49 Other Theft64
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception42

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

21 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Balaclava Rail Replacement Bus Stop
  • Balaclava Railway Station
  • Balaclava Station
  • Balaclava Station
  • Connex

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

83 planning-related records

2021· 24 proposals

  • July 2021

  • New paint finish and signage to existing building. Retain existing restaurant use and patron numbers.
    284 CARLISLE STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Partial demolition and construction of a rear extension to a single dwelling: -Additional bathroom, door and window in the studio -Additional pedestrian entry gate -Additional pergola. -New front gate design
    2 HAWSLEIGH AVENUE BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Alterations & additions to rear of existing two storey Victorian terrace house in a heritage overlay
    20 GOURLAY STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress

  • June 2021

  • Partial demolition of existing dwelling and construction of single level extension on a lot less than 500sqm in a Heritage Overlay
    55 GROSVENOR STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Two (2) lot subdivision PS840832R SPEAR REF: S176719H
    22 ALBION STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Partial demolition to the rear of the existing building and subsequent buildings and works in a Heritage Overlay, internally illuminated signage, the sale and consumption of liquor on site, and a car parking waiver
    219 CARLISLE STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress

  • May 2021

  • Construction of 2 double storey dwellings on a lot in the General Residential Zone; buildings and works including fences in the Special Building Overlay
    147 HOTHAM STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Use of the land for a restricted recreation facility (boxing studio)
    11/285 CARLISLE STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Use of the land for a restricted recreation facility (gymasium and fitness centre)
    3A WILLIAM PLACE BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Minor buildings and works related to roller door installation within the Special Building Overlay
    1 Marlborough StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works comprising a first floor addition to the existing building
    203 CARLISLE STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Proposal to expand an existing Garage for more Garage Space (up to two vehicles). The idea is to expand the width of the garage up to the Boundary Line to utilize the space between the current garage and the fence, as well as extending its length. Existing garage materials will be re-used as much as possible to minimize waste and to keep the exterior appearance in line with the other three Lots on 93 Westbury St. A Box Gutter will be installed to ensure everything is built within the properties
    4/93 WESTBURY STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works to an existing dwelling in a Heritage Overlay
    1/20A ALBION STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to the ground floor of the existing dwelling
    1/44 BLENHEIM STREET BALACLAVA 3183Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • To build on top of fence - to a height of 1.7 - 1.8 horizontal wooden slates
    1/97 HOTHAM STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress

  • March 2021

  • Buildings and works and part demolition to construct a 75 square metre first floor deck. Waiver of car parking requirements associated with the deck. Increase in the area allowed for liquor consumption comprising the new deck. Amended to allow the following: - An increase to the first floor deck area (to 80sqm) - An increase of the associated red line plan to reflect deck area increase. - Change of permit preamble to construct an 80 square metre first floor deck.
    123-127 Carlisle StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • demolish the existing front fence and construct a new picket fence with the same specifications and to demolish the boundary fence and replace with a new paling fence
    25 Brunning StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Fourteen (14) lot subdivision PS828894M SPEAR REF: S172173T
    95 Westbury StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a three storey building comprising eight dwellings and reduction in (visitor) car parking requirements of one car space Amended to allow the following: Construction of a three-storey building comprising five dwellings, with a reduction of the car parking requirements (3 spaces)
    44 CAMDEN STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Amend the existing permit (which allows construction of a five (5) storey building plus basement for the purposes of office tenancies and food/drink premises (cafe) along with parking dispensation) by way of reducing parking from 15 spaces to 14 involving deleting the single disabled car space from within the site and placing it in Nightingale Street.
    60-62 NIGHTINGALE STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress

  • February 2021

  • Partial demolition and construction of a single storey extension to an existing dwelling on a lot over 500sqm in a Heritage Overlay and Special Building Overlay Amended to allow the following: Alterations and additions
    23 ORANGE GROVE BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works to two dwellings on lots less than 500sqm each in a Heritage Overlay and Special Building Overlay consisting of; - demolition of one shared chimney to 10 and 12 Elm Grove. - demolition and construction of a rear fence and roller door to 10 Elm Grove. - demolition and construction of an outbuilding to 10 Elm Grove.
    10 Elm GrovePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • construction of fencing to the front and rear of the residential building within common property
    38-40A Brighton RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Signage
    4/246-252 CARLISLE STREET BALACLAVA 3183Lapsed
2020· 59 proposals

  • December 2020

  • The permit allows: Buildings and works including construction of a six storey building above a basement carpark, comprising 46 dwellings, a shop, 39 public car parking spaces and 14 resident car parking spaces, reduction in car parking requirements, removal of two (party wall) easements. Amendment to allow the following: - One extra resident car park, update preamble accordingly - Addition of structural (pergola type) element to west elevation - Addition of parapet to roof - Alterations to the b
    46 MARLBOROUGH STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Construction of five three storey dwellings on land affected by the Special Building Overlay
    43 Gourlay StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • Rear extension to a dwelling on a lot less 500sqm in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone (NRZ1): Partial Demolition, alterations and additions to a building in a Heritage Overlay
    29 Nightingale StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Solar Panels
    47 MARLBOROUGH STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • construction and installation of solar panels to roof of the existing dwelling
    26 Glen Eira AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a four-storey building (plus basement) accommodating dwellings and associated car parking in accordance with the endorsed plans
    80 Westbury StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Decking and BBQ area to the back of the building
    6A Balston StreetLapsed
  • Use of the land for an indoor leisure and recreation facility on land in the Industrial 3 Zone
    25 William StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Construction of twenty-six (26) townhouses (two and three storeys in height) plus basement Amendment to allow the following: - Amendments to endorsed plans including additional third storey for Townhouse 27 and additional built form along the boundary
    285 Inkerman StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • Use the land to sell and consume liquor on premises
    133 Carlisle StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • buildings and works comprising of the construction of a bike and bin storage; two water tanks and relocation of Colorbond shed to the rear of the site Amendment to allow the following: - removal of condition 4 - construction of raised planter beds at rear of property
    413 INKERMAN STREET BALACLAVA 3183In progress
  • Partial demolition and construction of a double storey rear extension to a dwelling on a lot less than 500sqm and in a Heritage Overlay.
    26 ELM GROVE BALACLAVA 3183NOD issued by a delegate

  • October 2020

  • Use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor
    4/246-252 Carlisle StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a new carport on a lot less than 500sqm in a Neighbourhood Residential Zone.
    15 Carlisle AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • demolition and construction of a fence and outbuilding
    1 Gibbs StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition and construction of a front fence
    41 Marlborough StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020; 2020–2022; 2021 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

49 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Baker in the RyeBakery
  • Commonwealth BankBank
  • Pause BarBar
  • TulumBar
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Carlisle StreetBus stop
  • Grosvenor Street/Hotham StreetBus stop
  • The Avenue/Hotham StreetBus stop
  • Fresh Food Corner ButchersButcher

    159 Carlisle Street

  • Batch EspressoCafe

    Unit 1 320 Carlisle Street

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

2 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Hewison ReservePark
  • William Street ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
1
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • Ramsay Pharmacypharmacy

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

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

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • St Kilda & Balaclava KindergartenNelson Streetkindergarten
  • The Avenue Children's Centre & KindergartenThe Avenuechildcare

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
4
Parks (OSM)
2

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
22.3/100
Cohort rank
#377 among Metro Melbourne suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • St Kilda & Balaclava KindergartenchildcareNelson Streetkindergarten
  • The Avenue Children's Centre & KindergartenchildcareThe Avenuechildcare
  • Ramsay Pharmacyhealthpharmacy
  • Hewison Reservegovernmentpark
  • William Street Reservegovernmentpark
  • Alterations & additions to rear of existing two storey Victorian terrace house in a heritage overlayplanning20 GOURLAY STREET BALACLAVA 3183Lodged 14 Jul 2021 · In progress
  • Amend the existing permit (which allows construction of a five (5) storey building plus basement for the purposes of office tenancies and food/drink premises (cafe) along with parking dispensation) by way of reducing parking from 15 spaces to 14 involving deleting the single disabled car space from within the site and placing it in Nightingale Street.planning60-62 NIGHTINGALE STREET BALACLAVA 3183Lodged 04 Mar 2021 · In progress
  • Buildings and works and part demolition to construct a 75 square metre first floor deck. Waiver of car parking requirements associated with the deck. Increase in the area allowed for liquor consumption comprising the new deck. Amended to allow the following: - An increase to the first floor deck area (to 80sqm) - An increase of the associated red line plan to reflect deck area increase. - Change of permit preamble to construct an 80 square metre first floor deck.planning123-127 Carlisle StreetLodged 31 Mar 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of 2 double storey dwellings on a lot in the General Residential Zone; buildings and works including fences in the Special Building Overlayplanning147 HOTHAM STREET BALACLAVA 3183Lodged 25 May 2021 · In progress
  • Construction of a four-storey building (plus basement) accommodating dwellings and associated car parking in accordance with the endorsed plansplanning80 Westbury StreetLodged 08 Dec 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

Data sources & freshness

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