VIC · Banyule Council
Watsonia North, 3087
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Updated
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Watsonia North is a practical mid-sized suburb in Banyule, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Connections to the wider metro area are straightforward, with neighbouring communities close at hand. Leafy streets and shaded corners make the suburb feel greener and more established than many nearby.
Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Local shops and services cover the basics well, with more choice a short trip into neighbouring suburbs. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.
Public transport links make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Property is in demand, reflecting the appeal of living in a place people actively choose.
The desirability score is around average, weighed down by weaker local dining and lifestyle amenities and growth momentum against similar metro suburbs, even with community and employment and housing affordability holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
Population
- Population
- 3,799
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,069
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 55 of 1,420
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,050
- Employment rate
- 61.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 64 / 23 / 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)
- 170
- Against the person
- 22
- Against property
- 98
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 44.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 173 residents
- State safety percentile
- 41.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +75.3%
Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.
Reported offences by period
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage9
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary17
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle32
- B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goods10
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order32
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
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
- 1,080
- Watsonia North Primary SchoolPrimary
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
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
22 public transport stops in this suburb
- Balfour Cl/Gillingham St
- Bawden Cl/Sellars St
- Gerrard St/Gillingham St
- Grimshaw St/Frye St
- Meakin St/Sellars St
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · GTFS static feed
Roadworks & transport
11 active roadworks / incidents
- M80 Ring Road Completion - Greensborough - Grimshaw Street RoadworksGrimshaw Street - Greensborough24 Jul 2026 – 27 Jul 2026
- M80 Ring Road Completion - Watsonia - Grimshaw Street RoadworksGrimshaw Street - Watsonia03 Sep 2024 – 31 Dec 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 04/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 11:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GRIMSHAW STREET, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY03 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 06/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 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 northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, METROPOLITAN RING ROAD05 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 06/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 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 northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.METROPOLITAN RING ROAD, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY05 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 15/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:30 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH-METROPOLITAN RING IN RAMP ON, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY14 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 20/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:30 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH-METROPOLITAN RING IN RAMP ON, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY19 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 22/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, METROPOLITAN RING ROAD21 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 22/10/2025 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 7:30 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, METROPOLITAN RING ROAD21 Oct 2025 – 30 Jul 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 29/01/2026 and 15/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 9:30 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 Nil.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, GRIMSHAW STREET28 Jan 2026 – 14 Dec 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).
16 planning-related records
2021· 6 proposals
August 2021
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Eucalyptus saligna, (Sydney Blue Gum) in the rear setback as per the endorsed plan.44 HAKEA STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal27 TRIST STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Withdrawn
- Other Vegetation Removal For the reomal of one (1) Eucalyptus spathulata (Swamp Mallet) in the front setback as per the endorsed plan.57 SELLARS STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Other Vegetation Removal59 SELLARS STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087No permit required
May 2021
- Change or extension of use and Other buildings and works and Other Veg In accordance with the endorsed plans, Development and use of the land for a child care centre and alteration of access to a Road Zone 1. Section 72 Amendment - Business Identification and Internally Illuminated Signage292 GRIMSHAW STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Change or extension of use and Other buildings and works and Other Veg Change or extension of use Other buildings and works Other Vegetation Removal292 Grimshaw StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 10 proposals
December 2020
- Ext to dwelling or associated structure Development of a deck & pergola - is permit required?11 Middleton StreetNo permit required
- Greater 1 new dwelling but Less 10 Development of ten (10) dwellings and alterations to a Road Zone270 GRIMSHAW STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087NOD issued by a delegate
- Tree pruning For the removal of one (1) Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan11 Michelle AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) in the front setback and one (1) Narrow-leaved Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus nicholii) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan4 Dallas CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan4 Huntley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of three (3) Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan48 Meakin StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan23 Byrne CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Other Vegetation Removal Removal of Eucalyptus mannifera ssp. maculosa ( Red-spotted gum)16 Bawden ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Photinia robusta, one (1) Syzygium sp. one (1) Ceratonia siliqua and two (2) Ulmus sp. as indicated on the endorsed plan11 Sharpes RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal Removal Xcupressocyparis leylandii (Leyland cypress)12 Binnak 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
15 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
- Bbq
- Bbq
Watsonia North
- Frye StreetBus stop
- Macorna StreetBus stop
- Peters StreetBus stop
- Drinking water
- Binnak Park PlaygroundPlayground
- Playground (3)
- Recycling
- Cricket/FootballSports field
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
Parks & reserves
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Binnak ParkPark
- Brandon Crescent ReservePark
- Edmund Rice-Gundry Walkway ReservePark
- Hakea Street ReservePark
- Kalista ParkPark
- Lawson Street ReservePark
- Maroondah Aqueduct Linear ReservePark
- Selwood Court ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · Period: current · Updated on site
Socio-economic (SEIFA)
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 SEIFA release
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- childcarechildcare
- kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
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.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Bushfire hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
- Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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
- OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
Desirability Index
- Desirability score
- 47.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 36% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2272nd in Australia
- State rank
- 452nd in VIC
- Peer rank
- #148 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #280 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics
Recent changes
- Bbqamenitiesbbq
- BbqamenitiesWatsonia Northbbq
- Binnak Park Playgroundamenitiesplayground
- Cricket/Footballamenitiespitch
- Drinking wateramenitiesdrinking_water
- Frye Streetamenitiesbus_stop
- Macorna Streetamenitiesbus_stop
- Ovalamenitiespitch
- Peters Streetamenitiesbus_stop
- Playgroundamenitiesplayground
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Updated on site · Weekly refresh
More in Banyule Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.