Locksley vs Wambool, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Locksley and Wambool are both Bathurst Regional rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 23 km and 20.4 km from Bathurst CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wambool runs $765 a year cheaper than Locksley, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,770.
Over 10 years, Wambool costs about $8,800 less to run than Locksley. That's about $17 a week.
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Wambool
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Locksley | Wambool | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,341 | $1,341 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,726 | $5,311 | +$415 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,726 | $5,311 | +$415 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,200 | $1,850 | +$350 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,567 | $9,802 | +$765 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,567 | $9,802 | +$765 |
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 | Locksley | Wambool | 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, Locksley vs Wambool (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wambool costs $765 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,770 in favour of Wambool.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $415 per year. Locksley is 23 km from Bathurst CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $765 per year, $10,567 from Locksley versus $9,802 from Wambool.
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 Wambool by $415 a year, $5,311 against $5,726.
- Building insurance favours Wambool by $350 a year, $1,850 against $2,200.
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 high in Locksley against medium in Wambool, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Locksley cumulative | Wambool cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,567 | $9,802 | $765 |
| Year 3 | $32,662 | $30,297 | $2,365 |
| Year 5 | $56,102 | $52,040 | $4,062 |
| Year 10 | $121,139 | $112,369 | $8,770 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Locksley or Wambool cheaper to live in?
Wambool is cheaper to run by car at $9,802 per year versus $10,567 for Locksley, a difference of $765 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Locksley and Wambool?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,341 in Locksley (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG) and $1,341 in Wambool (Bathurst Regional rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Locksley and $1,300 in Wambool. 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 Locksley and Wambool?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,726 from Locksley and $5,311 from Wambool 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 Locksley and Wambool?
At 3% annual cost growth, Locksley costs a cumulative $121,139 and Wambool costs $112,369 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,770 in favour of Wambool. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Locksley and Wambool 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.