Methodology

Understanding Your Results

Crime Statistics

Crime rates are shown as offenses per 1,000 residents per year, with the Victoria-wide average for context. Data is at LGA (council) level, not suburb or street level. Rates include all offense types - CBD areas have high rates due to foot traffic and nightlife, not just residential crime.

Planning Overlays

Flood zones (LSIO) and bushfire zones (BMO) indicate planning permit requirements, not certainty of events. Many properties in these overlays have never been affected. Always verify with your council for actual risk assessment.

Distances & Walk Times

Free lookups show straight-line distances with estimated walk times (5km/h). Reports use Google Distance Matrix for actual walking routes and times.

Socio-Economic Data (SEIFA)

SEIFA percentiles compare areas statistically - they're relative measures, not quality judgments. A lower percentile indicates different demographics, not a "worse" area. Data is from the 2021 Census.

Our Approach to AI

Reports include an AI-generated summary that highlights key findings in plain language. This is a convenience feature, not a replacement for the underlying data.

We use AI selectively, only where it genuinely helps. Close Enough is built on factual data from official government sources, and that remains the foundation of every lookup and report. The AI summary reads through the transport, schools, environment, and amenity data, then surfaces what stands out - both positives and things to be aware of.

We won't add AI features for the sake of it. Every data point in your report links back to its source, and you always have access to the raw facts. The AI summary is there to save you time, not to replace your judgment.