Cataract crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
24 recorded in this period, compared with 15 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Cataract
Cataract is a rural locality situated in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, within the City of Wollongong local government area and bearing the postcode 2560. Geographically, the area is defined by rugged bushland, deep gorges, and significant water catchment areas associated with the Nepean and Cataract river systems. Due to its status as a protected water catchment and natural resource zone, the locality has a sparse population and minimal residential development, with demographic data largely reflecting its surrounding wilderness and infrastructure lands.
The primary human-made feature and landmark within the locality is the Cataract Dam, a major civil engineering project completed in the early 20th century to secure water supplies for Sydney and Wollongong. Aside from the dam infrastructure and operational facilities managed by WaterNSW, local life in Cataract is virtually nonexistent in terms of commercial amenities or residential services. Access to the area is strictly regulated to protect the integrity of the surrounding water catchment, though heritage-listed areas surrounding the dam occasionally draw visitors interested in early Australian engineering.
Historically, the area is deeply intertwined with the development of New South Wales' water supply infrastructure. Cataract Dam, constructed between 1902 and 1907, was the first of four major dams built on the Cataract and Nepean rivers and is celebrated for its pioneering use of unreinforced concrete and cyclopean masonry. The dam and its associated worker village ruins hold significant state heritage value, reflecting the engineering ambitions of the Edwardian era and the historical expansion of the Greater Sydney metropolitan region.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle theft | 4 | 2 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 3 | 1 |
| Other theft | 3 | 0 |
| Trespass | 3 | 0 |
| Arson | 2 | 0 |
| Malicious damage to property | 2 | 2 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 2 | 2 |
| Break and enter non-dwelling | 1 | 0 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 1 | 0 |
| Possession and/or use of amphetamines | 1 | 1 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 1 | 1 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 1 | 0 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 4 residents. This is not a current population estimate.
Sources and interpretation
These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.