VIC · Ballarat Council
Brown Hill (Vic.), VIC, 3350
Current weather
9.5°CRain showers
96% humidity · 34.4 km/h wind · 12.2° / 7.6° today · 8.3 mm rain
Desirability index
#280 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Brown Hill (Vic.) is a smaller suburban community in the Ballarat area, home to around 4,489 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 141 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-39%), roughly 31.4 offences per 1,000 residents, 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a solid spread of nearby amenities and everyday services, 29 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.
Population
- Population
- 4,489
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,757
- Dwelling vacancy
- 5.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 93 of 1,828
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,619
- Employment rate
- 65.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 102 / 200 / 6
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)
- 141
- Against the person
- 17
- Against property
- 87
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 31.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 264 residents
- State safety percentile
- 25.3th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -39.2%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage13
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft12
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle24
- B49 Other Theft18
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order27
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Year ending March release
Schools & preschools
- Schools & preschools
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,010
- Caledonian Primary SchoolPrimary
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · Period: 2025 · Updated on site · Annual ACARA release
Public transport
16 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bradbury St/Humffray St N
- Brown Hill Reserve/Humffray St N
- Brown Hill Reserve/Humffray St N
- Lawless Pl/Humffray St N
- Uniting Church/Humffray St N
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
29 active roadworks / incidents
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 06/05/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON, DAYLESFORD ROAD05 May 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 06/05/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.DAYLESFORD ROAD, WESTERN IN-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF05 May 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 06/05/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN IN-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF, WESTERN FREEWAY05 May 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/03/2026 and 30/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.WESTERN FREEWAY, BALLARAT-BURRUMBEET ROAD16 Mar 2026 – 29 Jan 2027
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/03/2026 and 30/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM, Weekends 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.WESTERN FREEWAY, BALLARAT-BURRUMBEET ROAD16 Mar 2026 – 29 Jan 2027
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, WESTERN OUT-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, WESTERN OUT-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, BALLARAT-BURRUMBEET ROAD26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, WESTERN OUT-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported
Planning & development
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
54 planning-related records
2021· 27 proposals
August 2021
- Staged 10 lot subdivision30 RYAN STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by the RA
- Use and development of a childcare centre and medical centre, removal of native vegetation and associated works214 STAWELL STREET NORTH BROWN HILL 3350In progress
- Construction of an outbuilding39 THOMPSON STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Development of an outbuilding183 HILLVIEW ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two Lot Subdivision218 DAYLESFORD ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling, outbuilding and fence and removal of a restriction (building envelopes)1 PALENTINO PLACE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling42 APPLE ORCHARD DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Amendment to existing permit to allow additional removal of native trees . Original permit issued for : Staged multi lot subdivision and removal of vegetationLOT 2 HILLVIEW ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a shed12 RUSTY RISE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of two dwellings and five lot subdivision327A Humffray Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Development of an outbuilding26 WILLOWBANK WAY BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling7 HOLMSGARTH COURT BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling and associated works38 APPLE ORCHARD DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Development of a dwelling42 Apple Orchard DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dependent person's unit14 STRINGYBARK DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Development of a single dwelling10 Gallowburn CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling2 Ninox CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling and tennis court, removal of native vegetation and removal of restrictions3 PALENTINO PLACE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of an outbuilding12 GALA CLOSE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Development of a second dwelling and two lot subdivision14 Illana StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and development of land for child care centre, indoor recreational facility (swimming pool), car parking to Council satisfaction and alteration of access to a road in a road zone category 140 WATER STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling10 Lautaret RoadWithdrawn
- Subdivide the land into two lots and removal of the drainage and sewerage easement as shown on E1 on Lot 1 LP126266326 HUMFFRAY STREET NORTH BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development a dwelling4 Brooklyn CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Two lot subdivision9 RUSTY RISE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision; and create access to a Road Zone, Category 1245 Daylesford RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of an outdoor covered area associated with a dwelling3/5 Canterbury StreetNo permit required
2020· 27 proposals
December 2020
- Development of six additional dwellings and seven lot subdivsion6 BROPHY STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of an outbuilding60 Stringybark DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Retrospective works partial demolition of existing brick fence and replacement with timber and wire fence278 Humffray Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling154 Finlay StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construct a dwelling and create vehicle access to a Road Zone Category 1135 Daylesford RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling40 Gracefield RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a shed35 Gracefield RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Staged multi-lot residential subdivision, removal of native vegetation, removal of drainage easement E-3 and carriageway easement E-2 on PS428241R and removal of drainage easement E-3 and carriageway easement E-2 on LP218528GLot A Hillview RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a second dwelling and two lot subdivision14 Illana StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling23 Springs RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling387 Humffray Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision102 Thompson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Development of a dwelling10 Bawden 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
23 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bench (4)
- Bradbury St/Humffray St NBus stop
- Brown Hill Reserve/Humffray St NBus stop
- Cypress Rd/Gracefield RdBus stop
- Daylesford Rd/Cypress RdBus stop
- Gracefield Dr/Gracefield RdBus stop
- Lawless Pl/Humffray St NBus stop
- Ryan St/Dalesford RdBus stop
- Ryan St/Water StBus stop
- Springs Rd/Daylesford 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Brown Hill ReservePark
- Hearns Road ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 7/10
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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- kindergartenkindergarten
- kindergartenkindergarten
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)
- 21
- Parks (OSM)
- 17
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
- 42.1/100
- Cohort rank
- #280 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
- kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
- kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
- Brown Hill Reservegovernmentpark
- Hearns Road Parkgovernmentpark
- Amendment to existing permit to allow additional removal of native trees . Original permit issued for : Staged multi lot subdivision and removal of vegetationplanningLOT 2 HILLVIEW ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Lodged 25 Jun 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construct a dwelling and create vehicle access to a Road Zone Category 1planning135 Daylesford RoadLodged 22 Nov 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of an outbuildingplanning39 THOMPSON STREET BROWN HILL 3350Lodged 04 Aug 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development a dwellingplanning4 Brooklyn CourtLodged 01 Feb 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dependent person's unitplanning14 STRINGYBARK DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Lodged 02 Apr 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwellingplanning42 APPLE ORCHARD DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Lodged 02 Jul 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Updated on site
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access
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