Lane Cove has been officially recognised as the number one most liveable community in Australia, following the results of the 2025 Australian Liveability Census.
With a Place Experience score of 80 out of 100, Lane Cove outperformed every other local government area in the country – well above the national and state averages of 66.
The Liveability Census, Australia’s largest place-based social research project by Place Score, gathered more than 1,500 responses from Lane Cove residents, revealing a community deeply connected to its neighbourhoods and proud of its character. The results of the survey are benchmarked across nine themes*, which Lane Cove scored well about state average in all.
Mayor Merri Southwood said the result is a testament to the strong partnership between Council and the community.
“This recognition belongs to our residents. Their feedback guides our priorities – from greener, safer streets to inclusive community spaces,” said Mayor Southwood.
“We are proud of this achievement, but even more committed to protecting what we love and building our shared future here in Lane Cove,” she said.
Since the last time the survey was conducted in 2023, Lane Cove maintained or improved scores across all nine themes, while on average liveability decreased across the country by 1%.
Lane Cove residents highlighted that their ideal neighbourhood is one that is green, safe, welcoming and connected.
Top priorities included:
Access to neighbourhood amenities such as cafés, shops, and health and wellness services.
Well-maintained public spaces, footpaths, and parks.
Local businesses that provide for daily needs.
A strong sense of belonging and inclusion.
Lane Cove’s Strengths
The community rated Lane Cove exceptionally highly for:
Natural environment – scoring 8.8/10 for natural features, bushland and waterways.
Safety – personal safety was rated 8.7/10, significantly above the national average.
Neighbourhood character and village life – a vibrant mix of cultural events, parks, plazas and local identity.
Walking and cycling links – residents recognised Council’s investment in active transport, footpaths, crossings and lighting upgrades.
The strongest drivers of liveability in Lane Cove were recorded as ‘Welcoming to all people’ and ‘There are people like me’. The Council says these comments reflect Lane Cove’s ongoing commitment to ‘soft infrastructure’ – programs and places that foster identity, inclusion and belonging.
Community hubs such as The Canopy, local events, and park activations continue to create daily opportunities for connection, it stated.
Residents also identified challenges including traffic, housing affordability, and public transport. Lane Cove Council is actively advocating and planning to address these while continuing to protect the community’s much-loved green spaces and neighbourhood character.
Lane Cove 2025 Liveability Census Highlights:
- #1 most liveable community in Australia – Place Experience (PX) score 80/100 (vs national average of 66).
- Top 10% of councils nationally and 14% higher than NSW average.
- 1,576 responses collected from Lane Cove residents (585 values, 545 ratings, 446 ideas).
- 91% of residents rate their mental health positively – 12% above national average.
Top-performing attributes:
o Natural environment – 8.8/10
o Personal safety – 8.7/10
o Access to neighbourhood amenities – 8.7/10
o Local businesses meeting daily needs – 8.7/10
o Neighbourhood character – 8.6/10
*Character, Environmental Sustainability, Movement, Community, Housing and Development, Open Space, Economy, Management and Safety, Social Facilities and Services.
