Gum Scrub vs Rollands Plains, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Gum Scrub and Rollands Plains are both Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 25.6 km and 28 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 $277 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, Gum Scrub costs about $3,200 less to run than Rollands Plains. That's about $6 a week.
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Rollands Plains
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Gum Scrub | Rollands Plains | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,370 | $1,370 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,083 | $6,360 | -$277 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,083 | $6,360 | -$277 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,150 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,903 | $11,180 | -$277 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,903 | $11,180 | -$277 |
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 | Gum Scrub | Rollands Plains | 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, Gum Scrub vs Rollands Plains (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Gum Scrub and Rollands Plains cost within $277 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,175, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $277 per year. Rollands Plains is 28 km from Port Macquarie CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $277 per year, $10,903 from Gum Scrub versus $11,180 from Rollands Plains.
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 Gum Scrub by $277 a year, $6,083 against $6,360.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,150 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 | Gum Scrub cumulative | Rollands Plains cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,903 | $11,180 | $277 |
| Year 3 | $33,700 | $34,556 | $856 |
| Year 5 | $57,886 | $59,356 | $1,470 |
| Year 10 | $124,991 | $128,166 | $3,175 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gum Scrub or Rollands Plains cheaper to live in?
Gum Scrub is cheaper to run by car at $10,903 per year versus $11,180 for Rollands Plains, a difference of $277 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Gum Scrub and Rollands Plains?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,370 in Gum Scrub (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG) and $1,370 in Rollands Plains (Port Macquarie-Hastings rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Gum Scrub and $1,300 in Rollands Plains. 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 Gum Scrub and Rollands Plains?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,083 from Gum Scrub and $6,360 from Rollands Plains 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 Gum Scrub and Rollands Plains?
At 3% annual cost growth, Gum Scrub costs a cumulative $124,991 and Rollands Plains costs $128,166 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,175 in favour of Gum Scrub. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Gum Scrub and Rollands Plains suits you better?
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Related comparisons
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.