Tom Maloney
69 Stornaway Road, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620
Auction
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Open Thursday 4 June 4:45 pm Auction Saturday 4 July 10:30 am๐๏ธ About This Suburb (Last Updated Date: 2026-03-06)
History, Aboriginal heritage, and the story behind the name.
Queanbeyan โ Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country
Originally a small squatting station, Queanbeyan became a vital township supporting the construction of Canberra. It served as the primary rail and supply link for the developing Federal Capital in the early 20th century.
A diverse regional hub that retains a distinct NSW identity while functioning as a major residential satellite for the ACT workforce.
Overall Score
7.2
A solid performer offering a balance of affordability and proximity to major employment.
Aboriginal Name
Quinbeanโ "Clear water"
Name Origin
Derived from the Aboriginal word 'Quinbean' describing the local river.
Established
Gazetted 1838
River City
Built around the Queanbeyan River
Canberra's Elder
Established 75 years before the ACT
Cultural Hub
Home to the historic 'The Q' performing arts centre
๐ Scorecard
12 key dimensions scored 0โ10. Each score includes a one-line explanation.
Market Momentum
6.5
Steady demand driven by Canberra's high cost of living, though growth has moderated from 2022 peaks.
Amenity
7.8
Excellent local shopping, hospital, and recreational facilities within the CBD.
Schools
6.5
A mix of public and private options; some schools are highly regarded while others are undergoing improvement.
Transport
7.5
Strong road links to Canberra and regional rail access, though peak hour congestion is increasing.
Risk Profile
6.0
Primary risks are environmental (flooding) and socio-economic variance between pockets.
Liveability
7.6
High due to the '15-minute city' feel and access to both urban and nature-based lifestyles.
Demographics
7.0
A diverse mix of young professionals, defense personnel, and long-term retirees.
Rental Demand
8.5
Extremely tight vacancy rates due to the constant influx of transient government and defense workers.
Growth Potential
7.2
Supported by the Queanbeyan CBD transformation project and ongoing ACT price pressure.
Affordability
8.2
Significantly more accessible than neighboring ACT suburbs for similar sized blocks.
Crime & Safety
6.0
Some pockets experience higher rates of opportunistic crime; overall safety is comparable to regional centers.
Walkability
6.8
The central grid is highly walkable, but outer fringes require a vehicle.
โก Quick Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance, plus your top advantages and watch-outs.
Median House
$915,000
Stable growth
Median Unit
$515,000
High rental yield
Vacancy Rate
1.4%
Very tight market
Canberra CBD
15-20 mins
Commuter friendly
Population
38,500
Regional City LGA
Gross Yield
4.2%
Strong for houses
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Key Advantages
- Lower entry price point compared to the Australian Capital Territory
- Direct access to Canberra's high-paying public service and defense jobs
- NSW property laws (Freehold title vs ACT's 99-year leasehold system)
- Established infrastructure including a dedicated hospital and major retail
- Strong community identity and active local council investment
โ ๏ธ Key Watch-Outs
- Significant flood zones near the river require careful due diligence
- Aircraft noise from Canberra Airport flight paths (check ANEF contours)
- Variable street appeal with some areas containing aging public housing stock
- Traffic bottlenecks at the Monaro Highway and Kings Highway junctions
- NSW vs ACT tax differences (Land tax and Stamp duty variations)
๐๏ธ Suburb Overview
Character, property mix, price range and what drives value here.
๐๏ธ Character
Regional Hub
How this suburb feels day-to-day.
๐ Property Types
Diverse mix of heritage cottages, mid-century brick bungalows, and modern apartment complexes.
Dominant dwelling stock.
๐ฐ Price Range
$450,000 – $1,550,000
Typical entry to ceiling.
๐ก Why It Matters
Queanbeyan serves as the primary 'relief valve' for the Canberra housing market, attracting those who want a backyard without the ACT price tag.
๐ฐ Price Guide & Market Trends
Medians, rental market, 5-year history and property split.
๐ House Median
$915,000
$820k – $1.4m
๐ข Unit Median
$515,000
$420k – $680k
๐ Price Trend
+4.8% past 12 months
12-month movement
๐ Weekly Rents
Houses $680pw, Units $490pw
Current asking rents
๐ 5-Year Price History
๐๏ธ Property Type Split
The market has shown resilience despite interest rate rises, buoyed by the relative value proposition against Canberra's inner south.
๐ฏ Affordability
How this suburb compares to metro and state medians.
๐๏ธ vs Metro Average
32% below Canberra median house price
Price comparison
๐ Income Ratio
7.1x average household income
Median price รท median income
๐ณ Gross Yield
4.1% gross yield
Estimated rental yield
More AffordableModeratePremium
Entry levelMid rangePremium
Queanbeyan remains one of the most affordable ways to live within 20 minutes of Parliament House.
๐ฅ Rental Demand
Vacancy rates, demand pressure, tenant profile, and investor outlook.
๐ Vacancy Rate
1.4%
Lower = tighter market
โฑ๏ธ Days to Lease
18 days
Avg time on market
๐ Rent Growth p.a.
+5.5% pa
Annual rental increase
Demand LevelVery High
๐ค Tenant Profile
Young professionals, defense personnel on posting, and families seeking NSW school catchments.
๐ผ Investor Outlook
Strong. Low vacancy and consistent demand from the ACT workforce provide a defensive income stream.
๐ Growth Potential
Historical capital growth, infrastructure pipeline, and 5-year outlook.
+4.8%
1-Year Growth
+11.2% cumulative
3-Year Growth
+35% cumulative
5-Year Growth
๐ Growth Drivers
- Queanbeyan CBD Transformation Strategy
- Expansion of the Canberra Airport business precinct
- Ongoing ACT housing supply shortages
- Upgrades to the Monaro Highway
โ Headwinds
- Competition from new master-planned estates like Googong
- Interest rate sensitivity in the first-home buyer segment
- Infrastructure lag in older residential pockets
๐ฎ 5-Year Outlook
Steady moderate growth is expected as the city transitions from a regional town to a sophisticated urban satellite.
๐ก๏ธ Crime & Safety
Safety index, trend comparison, and what to check locally.
6.2
Safety Score
Average
๐ Trend
Stable
vs last 12 months
๐๏ธ vs Metro Average
Slightly higher crime rate than ACT average but lower than Sydney metro
Relative comparison
Risk Categories
Property Crime: Medium Assault: Medium Drug Related: Low
๐ What to Check Locally
Review the NSW BOCSAR crime maps for street-level data; central and eastern pockets show higher incident rates than the southern fringes.
โ ๏ธ Risk Profile
Natural hazards and planning risks to verify before buying.
๐ Summary
Environmental factors and aging infrastructure are the primary concerns for long-term capital protection.
๐ Flood Risk
High risk in areas adjacent to the Queanbeyan River. 1-in-100 year flood levels impact several residential streets.
๐ฅ Bushfire Risk
Moderate risk on the eastern fringe bordering bushland; low in the established city center.
๐ฆ Insurance Impact
Expect higher premiums for properties within the identified flood overlay.
๐บ๏ธ Planning & Zoning
Development controls, overlays, and what's changing locally.
๐ Typical Zoning
R2 Low Density and R3 Medium Density Residential
๐ฒ Overlays
Flood Planning, Heritage Conservation, Aircraft Noise (ANEF 20+)
๐๏ธ Development Hotspots
Monaro Street CBD corridor and Crawford Street redevelopment zone.
Council is actively encouraging higher density in the CBD, which may impact privacy for older single-level homes.
๐ณ Liveability
Day-to-day experience โ transport, amenity, green space, schools and healthcare.
๐ Transport
Frequent bus services to Canberra; regional rail link to Sydney; easy access to major highways.
๐๏ธ Amenity & Retail
Full-service hospital, major supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi), and a thriving aquatic center.
๐ฒ Parks & Recreation
Queanbeyan Park and Ray Morton Park offer excellent green space and river access.
๐ซ Schools
Home to several public primary schools and two high schools (Queanbeyan and Karabar).
๐ฅ Healthcare
Queanbeyan District Hospital provides emergency and inpatient services locally.
๐ฅ Demographics
Who lives here โ income, age, ownership, and education levels.
A balanced population with a significant portion of government and defense employees.
๐ต Median Income
$88,400 pa
๐ Ownership
32% owned outright, 35% mortgaged, 31% renting
๐ Age Profile
Median age 37
๐ Education
High percentage of vocational and diploma-level qualifications; increasing university-educated cohort.
๐ Age Distribution
The high rental population and steady income levels support a very stable investment environment.
๐๏ธ Major Developments
Infrastructure pipeline and what it means for values and liveability.
๐ Overview
The city is undergoing a significant 'facelift' to modernize the CBD and improve connectivity.
๐ Positive Impacts
- Queanbeyan Civic and Cultural Precinct (QCCP) completion
- Monaro Street (Kings Highway) beautification and traffic calming
- Expansion of local childcare and aged care facilities
๐ Negative Impacts
- Ongoing construction noise in the CBD
- Temporary traffic disruptions during road upgrades
๐บ๏ธ Nearby Suburb Comparison
How neighbouring suburbs stack up on price, lifestyle and who they suit.
๐Karabar
Position South
Price Slightly cheaper
Lifestyle More hilly, purely residential
Best for Families seeking larger blocks
๐Jerrabomberra
Position South-West
Price Significantly more expensive
Lifestyle Modern executive estates
Best for Upsizers and professionals
๐Googong
Position South-East
Price Comparable for new builds
Lifestyle Master-planned 'new town' feel
Best for Young families wanting new homes
๐Crestwood
Position West
Price Similar
Lifestyle Quiet, established 70s/80s feel
Best for First home buyers
๐ Similar Suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable profile โ useful if this one is over budget or sold up.
Penrith
NSW
7.5/10
Regional city on the edge of a major metro with its own identity and river.
Wodonga
VIC
7.0/10
Cross-border twin city dynamics with a larger neighbor.
Maitland
NSW
7.3/10
Historic regional center with strong commuter links and flood risks.
Ipswich
QLD
6.8/10
Satellite city with heritage value and significant price gap to the capital.
๐ฌ Community Sentiment
Aggregated themes from resident discussions, forums and local feedback.
๐ Overall Community Sentiment
Residents value the 'real town' feel and convenience, though some express concerns over CBD parking and social issues in certain pockets.
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Community feel
I love that I know my neighbors and can walk to the river, but the traffic on the bridge at 8:30 AM is a nightmare.
Community Traffic
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Convenience
Perfect spot for my posting at HQJOC. It's much better value than Canberra and the pubs are better too.
Location Value
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Affordability
I finally got a house with a yard. I have to drive into Civic for work, but the mortgage is manageable.
Yard space Commute
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CBD Changes
The new council buildings look nice but I worry we are losing the small-town charm with all these apartments.
Development Character
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Rental Yield
Never had a vacancy longer than a week. The demand from ACT workers is relentless.
Yield Vacancy
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Parks and Rec
The new playground at the park is fantastic for the kids, though I wish there were more trendy cafes.
Amenities Dining
๐ก Tailored Advice
Personalised guidance for every role in this market.
๐งโ๐ผ Buyer Strategy
- Prioritize properties on the high side of the street to avoid flood issues.
- Check the ANEF aircraft noise maps; some streets are significantly louder than others.
- Look for 'renovator delights' in the central grid for long-term heritage value.
- Understand the NSW stamp duty concessions for first home buyers which differ from the ACT.
- Verify if the property is under a heritage conservation overlay before planning renovations.
โ Questions to Ask the Agent
- Is this property located within the 1-in-100 year flood zone?
- What is the ANEF rating for aircraft noise at this specific address?
- Are there any heritage restrictions that limit external modifications?
- What are the quarterly council rates and water levies?
- Has the property ever experienced internal flooding or drainage issues?
- Are there any planned major developments in the immediate street?
- What is the current school catchment for this address?
๐ท๏ธ Seller Strategy
- Highlight the 'Canberra proximity' in all marketing materials.
- Ensure any historic features are well-presented to appeal to character-home seekers.
- Address any flood-related questions upfront with a current survey report.
- Target ACT-based buyers who are feeling the 'rent stress' of Canberra.
- Professional photography of the river and local parks can boost emotional appeal.
๐ฃ Positioning Tips
Position the property as a 'lifestyle bridge'—offering the space and freedom of NSW with the economic security of the ACT.
๐ผ Investment Case
High-yield play with low vacancy risk.
โ ๏ธ Investment Risks
Capital growth can be slower than Canberra's inner suburbs; flood insurance costs.
๐ Action Plan
- Target 2-bedroom units near the CBD for maximum rental yield.
- Ensure the property has off-street parking, which is a premium in the central grid.
- Check the QPRC planning portal for nearby high-density approvals.
- Consider a professional property manager familiar with NSW tenancy laws.
๐ Renter Tips
- Be ready with your application; properties move very fast here.
- Check the commute time to your specific ACT office during peak hour.
- Look for properties with reverse-cycle air conditioning for the cold winters.
๐๏ธ What Renters Love Here
More affordable than Canberra; better access to local NSW services.
โ ๏ธ Renter Watch-Outs
Older units can be poorly insulated; parking can be tight in the CBD.
๐ข Landlord Strategy
- Regularly review rents against the ACT market to stay competitive.
- Invest in heating and cooling—it is a non-negotiable for local tenants.
- Maintain gardens to attract long-term family tenants.
๐ Compliance & Management
Ensure smoke alarm and swimming pool compliance meets NSW state legislation.
๐ค Agent Insights
- The market is currently seeing a shift toward 'lifestyle' buyers from Sydney.
- Stock levels remain tight, keeping prices stable despite broader economic headwinds.
๐ฏ Marketing Angles
The 'Canberra's best kept secret' angle works well for out-of-area buyers.
๐ค Target Buyer Profile
First home buyers from the ACT and defense families on 3-year postings.
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Due Diligence Checklist
Tap items to tick them off. Don't skip these before signing anything.
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Obtain a formal flood report from QPRC.โ
Check the Canberra Airport ANEF noise contours.โ
Verify NSW land tax obligations if buying as an investment.โ
Conduct a thorough building and pest inspection (older stock risk).โ
Review the QPRC Local Environmental Plan (LEP) for zoning.โ
Confirm the property title is Freehold (standard for NSW).โ
Check for any outstanding council orders on the property.โ
Assess the distance to the nearest bus stop for Canberra commuting.โ
Evaluate the insulation and heating systems for winter performance.โ
Review the NSW Planning Portal for any nearby DAs.โ
Check the NSW BOCSAR website for localized crime statistics.๐ Government Sources & Disclaimer
Official council and government links only. Always verify independently before any property decision.
โ ๏ธ Important Disclaimer
This report is based on data available as of 2026-03-06 and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial or legal advice. Buyers should conduct their own independent due diligence and consult with professionals before making a purchase.
