Newee Creek vs North Macksville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 91c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Newee Creek and North Macksville are both Nambucca Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.5 km and 45.8 km from Coffs Harbour CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $130 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 these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Newee Creek
North Macksville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Newee Creek | North Macksville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,175 | $1,175 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,962 | $6,842 | +$120 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $2,850 | $3,100 | -$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,287 | $12,417 | -$130 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,725 | $7,975 | -$250 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Newee Creek | North Macksville | 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 — Newee Creek vs North Macksville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Newee Creek and North Macksville cost within $130 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,490, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year. North Macksville carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,725 from Newee Creek versus $7,975 from North Macksville.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,175 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,300 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Macksville by $120 a year, $6,842 against $6,962.
- Building insurance favours Newee Creek by $250 a year, $2,850 against $3,100.
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.
Flood risk is rated high in North Macksville against medium in Newee Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Newee Creek against medium in North Macksville, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Newee Creek cumulative | North Macksville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,287 | $12,417 | $130 |
| Year 3 | $37,978 | $38,380 | $402 |
| Year 5 | $65,233 | $65,924 | $691 |
| Year 10 | $140,857 | $142,347 | $1,490 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Newee Creek or North Macksville cheaper to live in?
Newee Creek is cheaper to run by car at $12,287 per year versus $12,417 for North Macksville, a difference of $130 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Newee Creek and North Macksville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,175 in Newee Creek (Nambucca Valley rates (OLG) and $1,175 in North Macksville (Nambucca Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Newee Creek and $1,300 in North Macksville. 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 Newee Creek and North Macksville?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,962 from Newee Creek and $6,842 from North Macksville to Coffs Harbour CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Newee Creek and $2,400 from North Macksville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Newee Creek and North Macksville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Newee Creek costs a cumulative $140,857 and North Macksville costs $142,347 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,490 in favour of Newee Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Newee Creek and North Macksville 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: Nambucca Valley rates (OLG and Nambucca Valley 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.