Blackmans Point vs Fernbank Creek, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Blackmans Point and Fernbank Creek are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 8.1 km and 6.3 km from Port Macquarie CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fernbank Creek runs $516 a year cheaper than Blackmans Point, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,915.
Over 10 years, Fernbank Creek costs about $5,900 less to run than Blackmans Point. That's about $11 a week.
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Fernbank Creek
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Blackmans Point | Fernbank Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,544 | $2,028 | +$516 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,544 | $2,028 | +$516 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,750 | $2,750 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $7,964 | $7,448 | +$516 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,964 | $7,448 | +$516 |
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 | Blackmans Point | Fernbank Creek | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,827 | $2,827 | - |
| Unit | $2,369 | $2,369 | - |
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, Blackmans Point vs Fernbank Creek (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fernbank Creek costs $516 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,915 in favour of Fernbank Creek.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $516 per year. Blackmans Point is 8.1 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $516 per year, $7,964 from Blackmans Point versus $7,448 from Fernbank Creek.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,370 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Fernbank Creek by $516 a year, $2,028 against $2,544.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,750 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 | Blackmans Point cumulative | Fernbank Creek cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $7,964 | $7,448 | $516 |
| Year 3 | $24,616 | $23,021 | $1,595 |
| Year 5 | $42,282 | $39,542 | $2,740 |
| Year 10 | $91,298 | $85,383 | $5,915 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackmans Point or Fernbank Creek cheaper to live in?
Fernbank Creek is cheaper to run by car at $7,448 per year versus $7,964 for Blackmans Point, a difference of $516 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Blackmans Point and Fernbank Creek?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Blackmans Point (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Fernbank Creek (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Blackmans Point and $1,300 in Fernbank Creek. 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 Blackmans Point and Fernbank Creek?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,544 from Blackmans Point and $2,028 from Fernbank Creek 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 Blackmans Point and Fernbank Creek?
At 3% annual cost growth, Blackmans Point costs a cumulative $91,298 and Fernbank Creek costs $85,383 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,915 in favour of Fernbank Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Blackmans Point and Fernbank Creek suits you better?
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Sources: Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG and Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.