Fishermans Paradise vs Lake Conjola: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Fishermans Paradise and Lake Conjola are both Shoalhaven rates (OLG suburbs, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Fishermans Paradise runs $1,050 a year cheaper than Lake Conjola, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,037.
Over 10 years, Fishermans Paradise costs about $12,000 less to run than Lake Conjola — the same as paying $12,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Fishermans Paradise
Lake Conjola
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Fishermans Paradise | Lake Conjola | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,547 | $1,547 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $18,200 | $18,200 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,450 | $3,500 | -$1,050 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $23,497 | $24,547 | -$1,050 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,697 | $8,747 | -$1,050 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Fishermans Paradise | Lake Conjola | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,720 | $2,720 | - |
| Unit | $2,209 | $2,209 | - |
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 — Fishermans Paradise vs Lake Conjola (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Fishermans Paradise costs $1,050 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $12,037 in favour of Fishermans Paradise.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,050 per year. Lake Conjola carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $1,050 per year, $7,697 from Fishermans Paradise versus $8,747 from Lake Conjola.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,547 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute is identical at $18,200 a year.
- Building insurance favours Fishermans Paradise by $1,050 a year, $2,450 against $3,500.
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 the insurance band.
Flood risk is rated high in Lake Conjola against medium in Fishermans Paradise, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Lake Conjola against medium in Fishermans Paradise, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Fishermans Paradise cumulative | Lake Conjola cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $23,497 | $24,547 | $1,050 |
| Year 3 | $72,627 | $75,872 | $3,245 |
| Year 5 | $124,749 | $130,323 | $5,574 |
| Year 10 | $269,367 | $281,404 | $12,037 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fishermans Paradise or Lake Conjola cheaper to live in?
Fishermans Paradise is cheaper to run by car at $23,497 per year versus $24,547 for Lake Conjola, a difference of $1,050 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Fishermans Paradise and Lake Conjola?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,547 in Fishermans Paradise (Shoalhaven rates (OLG) and $1,547 in Lake Conjola (Shoalhaven rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Fishermans Paradise and $1,300 in Lake Conjola. 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 Fishermans Paradise and Lake Conjola?
Fishermans Paradise carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Lake Conjola carries a flat regional driving allowance of $18,200, about 20,000 km of household driving a year, because it is more than 100 km from Sydney CBD. Public transport costs $2,400 from Fishermans Paradise and $2,400 from Lake Conjola.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Fishermans Paradise and Lake Conjola?
At 3% annual cost growth, Fishermans Paradise costs a cumulative $269,367 and Lake Conjola costs $281,404 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,037 in favour of Fishermans Paradise. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Fishermans Paradise and Lake Conjola is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Shoalhaven rates (OLG and Shoalhaven rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.