suburb.guide

VIC · Surf Coast Council

Fairhaven, 3231

Current weather

7.6°CMainly clear

87% humidity · 26.5 km/h wind · 9.8° / 6.5° today · 4 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

21.3/100
Below average

1190th in VIC

60% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Premium
  • Coastal
  • Established
  • Residential
  • Amenities
What Fairhaven is known for: Premium, Coastal, Established, Residential, Amenities

Suburb profile

Fairhaven wears its coastal identity openly, a smaller community built around sand, sea and an easy outdoor rhythm. Set on the coast at a distance from the capital, it trades city proximity for a slower, beach-led rhythm. There is a lightness to the air here, with the coast never far from mind.

A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.

A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

On the desirability index, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities and housing affordability lag similar coastal suburbs, despite relative strength in growth momentum and community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

Population

Population
390
Median age
56
Median household income / week
$2,023
Dwelling vacancy
69%
Unoccupied private dwellings
349 of 506
Median monthly mortgage
$1,993
Employment rate
58.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
6 / 0 / 0

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.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
4
Against the person
1
Against property
3
Rate per 1,000 residents
10.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 390 residents
State safety percentile
3.6th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+33.3%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • A732 Non-Fv Threatening Behaviour1
  • B21 Criminal Damage1
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary1
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception1

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

2 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Yarringa Rd/Great Ocean Rd
  • Yarringa Rd/Great Ocean Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

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).

45 planning-related records

2021· 24 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Buildings and Works for a Shed Associated with the Horse Riding Business in accordance with the endorsed plan/s.
    115 BIMBADEEN DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Alterations and Additions to existing dwelling and new spa
    26 BANOOL ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Building and works associated with alterations and additions to the existing dwelling and removal of native vegetation
    35 SHE OAK CRESCENT FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling
    50 WYBELLENNA DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Dwelling and Swimming Pool
    46 NARANI WAY FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a single storey extension to an existing dwelling
    2 MERRAN GROVE FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling
    4 LIALEETA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Extension of balcony/deck
    3 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling and an outdoor swimming pool and removal of native vegetation
    16 FOREST DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Residential extension to the existing House
    2 ORCHID GROVE FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Construction of a Dwelling
    20 Lialeeta RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling and Removal of Native Vegetation
    70 BIMBADEEN DRIVE FAIRHAVEN 3231In progress
  • Construction of a Dwelling.
    12 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Retrospective Amendment to Balustrade
    44 Narani WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Construction of a Concrete Swimming Pool, Safety Barrier and associated works & removal of native vegetation
    313 GREAT OCEAN ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling
    1 IRONBARK AVENUE FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling
    34 She Oak CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling
    2 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works (driveway, path and steps)
    3 YARRINGA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Shed and removal of native vegetation
    19 RIDGE ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate

  • March 2021

  • Replace deck
    1 Ridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling and Outbuilding.
    61 LIALEETA ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Variation of a Restrictive Covenant & Buildings and Construction of a Single Step.
    24 Narani WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Alteration and Additions Existing Dwelling
    7 Lialeeta RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 16 proposals

  • November 2020

  • Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling
    50 BANOOL ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwelling
    59 LIALEETA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Removal of Native Vegetation
    2 BANOOL ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Withdrawn
  • Construct Two Replacement Buildings Reason for Revision: Use of the land for a dwelling and short term accommodation.
    425 GREAT OCEAN ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231In progress

  • September 2020

  • Construction of an Outbuilding
    2C YANDANAH ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to Roof, Cladding, Window and Staircase
    13 BIMBADEEN DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Amendment to Endorsed Plan
    115 BIMBADEEN DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of new attached garage & deck and construction of a new detached carport
    6 WERONA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling
    20 NARANI WAYPermit issued by the RA

  • July 2020

  • Construction of a Dwelling
    17 BIMBADEEN DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Dwelling
    7 RIDGE ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to the existing dwelling and installation of a spa
    21 WYBELLENNA DRIVEPermit issued by the RA

  • June 2020

  • Buildings and Works Associated with an Addition to Existing Dwelling
    7 TIMBARA CLUSTER FAIRHAVEN 3231NOD issued by a delegate
  • Alterations and Additions Existing Dwelling
    7 LIALEETA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Additions to Existing Dwelling
    58 FOREST DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a fence
    20 KALBARU DRIVEPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

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

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • FairhavenBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

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

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

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

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

Desirability Index

Desirability score
21.3/100 — Below average
National rank
6429th in Australia
State rank
1190th in VIC
Peer rank
#75 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#122 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
60%

Data sources & freshness

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

Recent changes

  • A732 Non-Fv Threatening Behaviourcrime1
  • B21 Criminal Damagecrime1
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglarycrime1
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deceptioncrime1
  • Additions to Existing Dwellingplanning58 FOREST DRIVELodged 14 May 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alteration and Additions Existing Dwellingplanning7 Lialeeta RoadLodged 17 Feb 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions Existing Dwellingplanning7 LIALEETA ROADLodged 19 Jun 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwellingplanning50 BANOOL ROADLodged 11 Nov 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions to Existing Dwellingplanning59 LIALEETA ROADLodged 10 Nov 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions to existing dwelling and new spaplanning26 BANOOL ROAD FAIRHAVEN 3231Lodged 27 Aug 2021 · NOD issued by a delegate

Data sources & freshness

  • Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Updated on site · Year ending March release
  • 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

More in Surf Coast Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.