Georges Plains vs Rockley Mount, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Georges Plains and Rockley Mount are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 14 km and 15.5 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Georges Plains runs $631 a year cheaper than Rockley Mount, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,234.
Over 10 years, Georges Plains costs about $7,200 less to run than Rockley Mount. That's about $14 a week.
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Rockley Mount
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Georges Plains | Rockley Mount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,036 | $4,367 | -$331 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,036 | $4,367 | -$331 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $1,550 | $1,850 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,227 | $8,858 | -$631 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,227 | $8,858 | -$631 |
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 | Georges Plains | Rockley Mount | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $3,257 | $3,257 | - |
| Unit | $2,691 | $2,691 | - |
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, Georges Plains vs Rockley Mount (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Georges Plains costs $631 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,234 in favour of Georges Plains.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $331 per year. Rockley Mount is 15.5 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $631 per year, $8,227 from Georges Plains versus $8,858 from Rockley Mount.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,341 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours Georges Plains by $331 a year, $4,036 against $4,367.
- Building insurance favours Georges Plains by $300 a year, $1,550 against $1,850.
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 and the insurance band.
Fire risk is rated medium in Rockley Mount against low in Georges Plains, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Georges Plains cumulative | Rockley Mount cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,227 | $8,858 | $631 |
| Year 3 | $25,429 | $27,379 | $1,950 |
| Year 5 | $43,678 | $47,028 | $3,350 |
| Year 10 | $94,313 | $101,547 | $7,234 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Georges Plains or Rockley Mount cheaper to live in?
Georges Plains is cheaper to run by car at $8,227 per year versus $8,858 for Rockley Mount, a difference of $631 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Georges Plains and Rockley Mount?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Georges Plains (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Rockley Mount (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Georges Plains and $1,300 in Rockley Mount. 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 Georges Plains and Rockley Mount?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,036 from Georges Plains and $4,367 from Rockley Mount to Bathurst 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 Georges Plains and Rockley Mount?
At 3% annual cost growth, Georges Plains costs a cumulative $94,313 and Rockley Mount costs $101,547 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,234 in favour of Georges Plains. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Georges Plains and Rockley Mount suits you better?
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Sources: Bathurst Regional rates (OLG and Bathurst Regional 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.