Newee Creek vs Wirrimbi, 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 Wirrimbi are both Nambucca Valley rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 42.5 km and 45 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 $118 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 the gap between these two is about $1,400, about $3 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Wirrimbi
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Newee Creek | Wirrimbi | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,175 | $1,175 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,962 | $6,880 | +$82 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,962 | $6,880 | +$82 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,150 | $2,350 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,500 | $1,500 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,587 | $11,705 | -$118 |
| Total (public transport) | $11,587 | $11,705 | -$118 |
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 | Newee Creek | Wirrimbi | 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 Wirrimbi (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Newee Creek and Wirrimbi differ by $118 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $82, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year. Wirrimbi carries high flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $11,587 and $11,705 a year, so the $118 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Wirrimbi by $82 a year, $6,880 against $6,962.
- Building insurance favours Newee Creek by $200 a year, $2,150 against $2,350.
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 Wirrimbi against medium in Newee Creek, which feeds the insurance estimate. Fire risk is rated high in Newee Creek against medium in Wirrimbi, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Newee Creek cumulative | Wirrimbi cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,587 | $11,705 | $118 |
| Year 3 | $35,814 | $36,179 | $365 |
| Year 5 | $61,517 | $62,143 | $626 |
| Year 10 | $132,832 | $134,185 | $1,353 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Newee Creek or Wirrimbi cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Newee Creek runs $11,587 a year by car and Wirrimbi $11,705, but most of the $118 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $82. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Newee Creek and Wirrimbi?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,175 in Newee Creek (Nambucca Valley rates (OLG) and $1,175 in Wirrimbi (Nambucca Valley rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Newee Creek and $1,300 in Wirrimbi. 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 Wirrimbi?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,962 from Newee Creek and $6,880 from Wirrimbi to Coffs Harbour 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 Newee Creek and Wirrimbi?
At 3% annual cost growth, Newee Creek costs a cumulative $132,832 and Wirrimbi costs $134,185 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,353 in favour of Newee Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Newee Creek and Wirrimbi suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.