suburb.guide

VIC · Surf Coast Council

Freshwater Creek, 3217

Est. population · Jun 2025

435

Growth (1 yr)

+2.4%

Growth (5 yr)

+11.3%

Median age

45

Median income

$2,087/wk

Employment rate

66%

Languages at home

2.6%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

40.8/100
Average

720th in VIC

Verified 70% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
  • High desirability
What Freshwater Creek is known for: Green suburb, Education hub, Heritage area, High desirability

Suburb profile

In Surf Coast Council, Freshwater Creek keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here than in denser, more walkable pockets. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.

Crime reports are up on the previous period. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus growth momentum lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment, plus schools and education. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Freshwater Creek snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

435

+2.4% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.3%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#108

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

80th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

91st

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

83rd

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
40.8/100 — Average
National rank
3617th in Australia
State rank
720th in VIC
Peer rank
#108 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#273 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
70%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Population

Estimated resident population

435(June 2025)

+2.4% annual · +11.3% over 5 years · 91th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+2.4%
5-year growth
+11.3%
Change in 1 year
+10
Change in 5 years
+44
Growth rank in VIC
91th percentile

ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.

Methodology

Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.

The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~450), extrapolated at +1.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
454
Median age
45
Median household income / week
$2,087
Dwelling vacancy
7.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
12 of 164
Median monthly mortgage
$2,145
Employment rate
66%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
147 / 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 · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
52
Against the person
7
Against property
9
Rate per 1,000 residents
119.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 65 residents
State safety percentile
80.2th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+116.7%

Most common offence types

  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store3
  • B49 Other Theft3
  • C12 Drug Trafficking22
  • C32 Drug Possession7
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order6

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
1,094
Median ICSEA percentile
83th
School list
  • Freshwater Creek Steiner SchoolPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1094 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 144 students · Top SEA quarter 41%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

8 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

8 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
0/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0
Sport & outdoors(8)
  • Swimming pool (8)

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
7
Parks (OSM)
0

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

Health access

Nearest hospital
Epworth Geelong (9.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
14
Participants per 1,000 residents
32.2

Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.

For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.

Data sources & freshness

Weather

Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Usual max / min
26° / 12°
Rainfall
128 mm · ~16 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 10°
Rainfall
124 mm · ~16 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
149 mm · ~19 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 8°
Rainfall
182 mm · ~23 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

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

25 planning-related records

2021· 8 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Construction of Two Open Sided Structures in Association with the Existing Use of the land as a Caravan Park (Site 87 and Site 95).
    660 ANGLESEA ROAD FRESHWATER CREEK 3217Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Restaurant, Agriculture (Within Road Zone), Primary Produce Sales and Market; Sale and Consumption of Liquor (Restaurant and Café Licence); the Display of a Business Identification Sign and the Waiving of Loading Bay and Bicycle Parking Requirements - Amended plans for a packing shed, seedling greenhouse, workshop and preparation and chicken shed (retrospective)
    673 ANGLESEA ROAD FRESHWATER CREEK 3217Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Re-subdivision of the land into two lots
    350 COOMBES ROAD FRESHWATER CREEK 3217Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Use of the land for a poultry farm (low density mobile outdoor egg production)
    1185 BLACKGATE ROAD FRESHWATER CREEK 3217Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Use of the Land for a Place of Assembly (Pet Bakery)
    250 Bogans LaneWithdrawn

  • February 2021

  • Use and Development of land for an Art and Craft Centre
    THE FARMERS PLACE - RESTAURANT, 675 ANGLESEA ROAD FRESHWATER CREEK 3217Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works associated with agriculture
    1500 BLACKGATE ROAD FRESHWATER CREEK 3217Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Earthworks that Change the Rate of Flow Across the Property Boundary
    380 Pettavel RoadLapsed
2020· 17 proposals

  • October 2020

  • Construction of a Garage
    785 DICKINS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Native Vegetation Removal (One tree)
    550 DICKINS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Horse Arena
    1305 BLACKGATE ROADWithdrawn
  • Construct alterations and extensions to the existing dwelling
    1305 BLACKGATE ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alteration and Additions to existing Dwelling
    740 ANGLESEA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Amend Condition 7 to have operating hours of 6.30AM to 9.30PM daily
    670 Anglesea RoadWithdrawn
  • Construction of farming shed
    615 MT DUNEED ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Buildings and Works to an Existing Shed
    1100 ANGLESEA ROADPermit issued by the RA

  • May 2020

  • Construct a Shed
    20 HARDINGS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Use and development of the land for a dwelling, construction of a building associated with the use of the land for agriculture within 100 metres of a waterway and alter access to the Road Zone Category 1
    865 Anglesea RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Works in a Salinity Management Overlay Associated with a Vehicle Cross Over
    380 PETTAVEL ROADRefusal issued by a delegate
  • Use and Development of the subject Land for a Process and Packaging
    380 PETTAVEL ROADWithdrawn

  • March 2020

  • Earthworks that Change the Rate of Flow
    1210 ANGLESEA ROAD FRESHWATER CREEK 3217In progress
  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision (Re-subdivision)
    1465 BLACKGATE ROAD AND 820 PETTAVEL ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Application to reduce minimum lot size
    865 ANGLESEA ROADWithdrawn
  • Construction of a farm shed
    865 ANGLESEA ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Use of the Land for Storage of Caravans, Boats, Trailers and Containers, and Associated Works, and Display of Business Identification Signage
    1200 GHAZEEPORE ROADNOD issued by a delegate

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • ST DAVIDS LUTHERAN CHURCH & CEMETERYNH1903

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

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 · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 38.5 km away).

Coalition 46.6%Labor 53.4%

14.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +53.4 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • MoriacLabor 50.3% · Coalition 49.7% TPP (2025)7.6 km away
  • AngleseaLabor 66.5% · Coalition 33.5% TPP (2025)15.1 km away
  • WinchelseaLabor 43.6% · Coalition 56.4% TPP (2025)23.1 km away
  • Winchelsea SouthLabor 45.3% · Coalition 54.7% TPP (2025)23.7 km away
  • Aireys InletLabor 71.6% · Coalition 28.4% TPP (2025)24.4 km away

Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

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.