Ma Ma Creek vs Winwill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Ma Ma Creek and Winwill are both Lockyer Valley Regional Council suburbs, sitting 12.5 km and 8.5 km from Gatton CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Winwill runs $1,331 a year cheaper than Ma Ma Creek, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,259.
Over 10 years, Winwill costs about $15,300 less to run than Ma Ma Creek — the same as paying $15,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Winwill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Ma Ma Creek | Winwill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,395 | $1,395 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,900 | $1,900 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,686 | $2,655 | +$1,031 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $3,200 | $2,900 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,300 | $1,400 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,181 | $8,850 | +$1,331 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,687 | $6,387 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Ma Ma Creek | Winwill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,135 | $2,135 | - |
| Unit | $1,776 | $1,776 | - |
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 — Ma Ma Creek vs Winwill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Winwill costs $1,331 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,259 in favour of Winwill.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,031 per year. Ma Ma Creek is 12.5 km from Gatton CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $6,687 from Ma Ma Creek versus $6,387 from Winwill.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,395 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,900 a year.
- Driving commute favours Winwill by $1,031 a year, $2,655 against $3,686.
- Building insurance favours Winwill by $300 a year, $2,900 against $3,200.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Ma Ma Creek cumulative | Winwill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,181 | $8,850 | $1,331 |
| Year 3 | $31,468 | $27,354 | $4,114 |
| Year 5 | $54,052 | $46,986 | $7,066 |
| Year 10 | $116,714 | $101,455 | $15,259 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ma Ma Creek or Winwill cheaper to live in?
Winwill is cheaper to run by car at $8,850 per year versus $10,181 for Ma Ma Creek, a difference of $1,331 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Ma Ma Creek and Winwill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,395 in Ma Ma Creek (Lockyer Valley Regional Council) and $1,395 in Winwill (Lockyer Valley Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,900 in Ma Ma Creek and $1,900 in Winwill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Ma Ma Creek and Winwill?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,686 from Ma Ma Creek and $2,655 from Winwill to Gatton CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Ma Ma Creek and $192 from Winwill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Ma Ma Creek and Winwill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Ma Ma Creek costs a cumulative $116,714 and Winwill costs $101,455 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,259 in favour of Winwill. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Ma Ma Creek and Winwill 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.
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Sources: Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council 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.