Austral Eden vs Old Station, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Austral Eden and Old Station are both Kempsey rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 45.4 km and 42.3 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $105 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years, Austral Eden costs about $1,200 less to run than Old Station. That's about $2 a week.
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Old Station
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Austral Eden | Old Station | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,492 | $1,492 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,861 | $6,966 | -$105 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,861 | $6,966 | -$105 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,350 | $2,350 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,003 | $12,108 | -$105 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,003 | $12,108 | -$105 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Austral Eden | Old Station | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,774 | $2,774 | - |
| Unit | $2,329 | $2,329 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Austral Eden vs Old Station (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Austral Eden and Old Station cost within $105 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,204, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $105 per year. Austral Eden is 45.4 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,003 and $12,108 a year, so the $105 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,492 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Austral Eden by $105 a year, $6,861 against $6,966.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,350 a year.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Austral Eden cumulative | Old Station cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,003 | $12,108 | $105 |
| Year 3 | $37,100 | $37,425 | $325 |
| Year 5 | $63,726 | $64,283 | $557 |
| Year 10 | $137,601 | $138,805 | $1,204 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austral Eden or Old Station cheaper to live in?
Austral Eden is cheaper to run by car at $12,003 per year versus $12,108 for Old Station, a difference of $105 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Austral Eden and Old Station?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,492 in Austral Eden (Kempsey rates (OLG) and $1,492 in Old Station (Kempsey rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Austral Eden and $1,300 in Old Station. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Austral Eden and Old Station?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,861 from Austral Eden and $6,966 from Old Station to Port Macquarie CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Austral Eden and Old Station?
At 3% annual cost growth, Austral Eden costs a cumulative $137,601 and Old Station costs $138,805 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,204 in favour of Austral Eden. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Austral Eden and Old Station suits you better?
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Sources: Kempsey rates (OLG and Kempsey rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.