VIC · Greater Geelong Council
Little River (Vic.), VIC, 3211
Current weather
12.2°CModerate rain showers
91% humidity · 27.1 km/h wind · 17° / 9.5° today · 4.4 mm rain
Desirability index
#186 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Suburb snapshot
Little River (Vic.) is a small locality in the Greater Geelong area, home to around 1,353 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 208 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-9%), roughly 153.7 offences per 1,000 residents, 1 school and preschool site in the area, limited but present public transport access, 9 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
- 1,353
- Median age
- 42
- Median household income / week
- $2,005
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 33 of 435
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,167
- Employment rate
- 55.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 29 / 0 / 0
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)
- 208
- Against the person
- 36
- Against property
- 140
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 153.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 38 residents
- State safety percentile
- 86.9th (lower crime is better)
- Year-on-year change
- -9.2%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage10
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft21
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle10
- B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goods11
- B49 Other Theft54
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
- 978
- Little River 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
3 public transport stops in this suburb
- Little River Railway Station
- Little River Station
- Little River Station
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
9 active roadworks / incidents
- Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 26/05/2026 and 28/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.WESTS ROAD, MORRISONS LANE25 May 2026 – 27 Aug 2026
- Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 26/05/2026 and 28/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES FREEWAY, LITTLE RIVER-PRINCES IN RAMP ON25 May 2026 – 27 Aug 2026
- Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 26/05/2026 and 28/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES FREEWAY, LITTLE RIVER-PRINCES IN RAMP ON25 May 2026 – 27 Aug 2026
- Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 26/05/2026 and 28/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.WESTS ROAD, MORRISONS LANE25 May 2026 – 27 Aug 2026
- Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 01/01/2022 and 30/06/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 AM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.PRINCES HIGHWAY, POINT WILSON-PRINCES IN RAMP ON31 Dec 2021 – 29 Jun 2027
- Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 03/04/2023 and 31/03/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES FREEWAY, PRINCES OUT-160 SOUTH RAMP OF02 Apr 2023 – 30 Mar 2027
- Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 07/05/2026 and 31/08/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed inbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, POINT WILSON-PRINCES IN RAMP ON06 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2027
- Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 07/05/2026 and 31/08/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed outbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, PRINCES OUT-POINT WILSON RAMP OF06 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2027
- Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 18/07/2025 and 30/06/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Weekends 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, POINT WILSON-PRINCES IN RAMP ON17 Jul 2025 – 29 Jun 2027
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).
44 planning-related records
2021· 26 proposals
September 2021
- Construction of a Shelter Area Adjacent to Existing Building and Direction Signage760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions to a Dwelling30 CALVERT ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Site Entry / Gatehouse Building and Removal of Vegetation760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2021
- Use and development for the purposes of an extension to the existing sports pavilionRIVER STREET LITTLE RIVER 3211No permit required
- Amendment to the Planning Permit - Extension of scope of removal of native vegetation. - Removal of native vegetation for the construction of Rothwell Road between Old Melbourne Rd & McLeans Road - and removal of vegetation for the construction of a swale drain along Gleesons Rd within Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 1 .230 ROTHWELL ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Use and development of one single storey dwelling100 ROTHWELL ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Construction of a Shed155 Minns RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Existing Warehouse, Construction of a Warehouse and Removal of Vegetation760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed15 Bates RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Building and Works for an Extension to a Dwelling125 MINNS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Construction of Two (2) Sheds and Removal of Native Vegetation760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed in an Environmental Significance Overlay80 Bates RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Machinery Shed2-4 ROBS LANE LITTLE RIVER 3211Withdrawn
April 2021
- Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling700 Old Melbourne RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of the Land for a Contractors Depot70 EXPRESS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Refusal issued by a delegate
- Construction of a Shed20 Calvert RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed120 KIRKS BRIDGE ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Construction of a Shed50 Hughes RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Development of a Dwelling and Removal of Native Vegetation30 BATES ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed125-135 Argyle StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Construction of Dwelling to replace existing Dwelling.18-32 GLEESONS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed in Farming Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay35 Oxford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development and Use of an Animal Boarding Facility135 You Yangs RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed110 Minns RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed Associated with a Dwelling50 Edgars RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Use of the land for domestic animal day care including the removal of native grasses55 MINNS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Withdrawn
2020· 18 proposals
December 2020
- Earthworks Associated with Quarry Rehabilitation555 Sandy Creek RoadNOD issued by the Resp. Authority
- Buildings and Works Associated with a Telecommunications Facility (30m Monopole)10 ARGYLE STREET LITTLE RIVER 3211NOD issued by a delegate
- Construction of a single storey dwelling111-117 Old Melbourne RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Garage Associated with a Dwelling in a Farming Zone85 Shaws RoadWithdrawn
November 2020
- Construction of Shed Associated with Existing Dwelling85 Shaws RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Secondary Consent - Amendment to the Endorsed Plans to Increase the Length of the Shed by Five Metres and Alter the Alignment of the Building.34-48 Gleesons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Construction of Antenna Mast85 Shaws RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Shed in a Farming Zone55 Express RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Construction of a Replacement Dwelling and Decommissioning of Existing Dwelling on the Land and Removal of Scattered Native Vegetation55 Express RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- The Use and Development of the land with a Replacement Dwelling and associated buildings and works in accordance with the endorsed plans.27-31 Old Melbourne RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Buildings and Works - Covered Horse Arena / Pavilion - Amendment to the endorsed plans to include an enclosed wall in the northern elevation.63 McNaughton DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Use and Development of Land for Landscape Gardening supplies10 Hughes RoadLapsed
June 2020
- Buildings and Works - Covered Horse Arena / Pavilion63 McNaughton DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling100 Calvert RoadPermit 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
No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Parks & reserves
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bulban ReservePark
- Bull ReservePark
- Freshwater Swamp, Little River Wildlife Reserve (no hunting)Nature reserve
- Possy Newland ReservePark
- Rees ReservePark
- Rothwell ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 6/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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
Heritage
4 state heritage places
- LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY STATION & GOODS YARDNH1572
- MT ROTHWELL HOMESTEADNH1107
- ROTHWELL BRIDGENH1454
- ROTHWELL BRIDGENH1454
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Little River Centrekindergarten
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)
- 20
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- 28.6/100
- Cohort rank
- #186 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Little River Centrechildcarekindergarten
- LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY STATION & GOODS YARDheritageNH1572
- MT ROTHWELL HOMESTEADheritageNH1107
- ROTHWELL BRIDGEheritageNH1454
- ROTHWELL BRIDGEheritageNH1454
- Bulban Reservegovernmentpark
- Bull Reservegovernmentpark
- Freshwater Swamp, Little River Wildlife Reserve (no hunting)governmentnature_reserve
- Possy Newland Reservegovernmentpark
- Rees Reservegovernmentpark
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Updated on site
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site
Similar suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.