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Bracken Ridge
BrisbaneQueensland
Bracken Ridge Hall courtyard near the ward office and library, 2011
Bracken Ridge is located in Queensland
Bracken Ridge
Bracken Ridge
Coordinates27°19′09″S 153°02′04″E / 27.3192°S 153.0344°E / -27.3192; 153.0344 (Bracken Ridge (centre of suburb))
Population17,488 (2021 census)
 • Density2,214/km (5,730/sq mi)
Established1960s
Postcode(s)4017
Area7.9 km (3.1 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location18.3 km (11 mi) N of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)City of Brisbane
(Bracken Ridge Ward)
State electorate(s)Sandgate
Federal division(s)Petrie
Suburbs around Bracken Ridge:
Bald Hills Brighton Brighton
Bald Hills Bracken Ridge Sandgate
Fitzgibbon Taigum Deagon

Bracken Ridge is a northern suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Bracken Ridge had a population of 17,488 people.

Geography

The suburb is located about 18 kilometres (11 mi) north of the Brisbane central business district. The southern border is formed by Telegraph Road, one of the oldest roads in the suburb, and a portion of the western border is formed by the Caboolture railway line. A number of housing estates are located within the suburb, including The Oaks, Enbrook Heights and the most recent development Sungate Estate.

The terrain in the suburb is, as the name suggests, generally hilly. The highest area of the suburb features a park and a reservoir; from this height it is quite easy to see Moreton Bay to the east and the CBD to the south.

History

The Turrbul people are the traditional owners of the area.

The suburb takes its name from a property name and later an estate name, which in turn was a name given by the original settlers because there was so much Bracken fern.

The first land sales in the area occurred on 3 August 1857, with the first purchase being made by William Loudon. John McPherson and James Ferguson bought land at the next land auction on 28 April 1862 and were the first to buy and settle on the land.

Bracken Ridge State High School opened on 26 August 1957.

Nashville State High School opened on 23 January 1967. On 25 September 2000 it was renamed Bracken Ridge State High School.

Norris Road State School opened on 24 January 1977.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School opened on 28 January 1978.

St John Fisher College opened on 5 October 1981.

The Bracken Ridge Library opened in 1987.

The Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit was dedicated on 7 May 1988 by Archbishop John Grindrod.

The Bracken Ridge Gospel Hall was built in the mid 1990s at 294 Bracken Ridge Road (27°18′47″S 153°02′19″E / 27.3130°S 153.0386°E / -27.3130; 153.0386 (Bracken Ridge Gospel Hall (former))). It was affiliated with the Christian Community Churches of Australia. In 2014 the site was sold for $1.32 million and no longer operates as a church.

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Bracken Ridge recorded a population of 16,936 people, 51% female and 49% male. The median age of the Bracken Ridge population was 36 years of age, 2 years below the Australian median, and 1 year below Queensland median. Children aged 0 – 14 years made up 20.4% of the population and people aged 65 years and over made up 13.1% of the population Of people in Bracken Ridge 51.8% were married, this higher than the State and National level. 72.6% of people living in Bracken Ridge were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 4.6%, England 3.3%, India 2.9% Philippines 2.5%, Fiji 0.8%. 82.0% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Punjabi 1.4%, Tagalog 1.4%, Hindi 1.2%, Malayalam 1.0% and Filipino 0.7%.

In the 2021 census, Bracken Ridge had a population of 17,488 people, 50.6% female and 49.4% male. The median age of the Bracken Ridge population was 37 years of age, 1 year below the Australian median of 38. 72.3% of people living in Bracken Ridge were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 4.2%, India 4.0%, England 3.2%. the Philippines 2.4% and Fiji 0.7%. 80.0% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 2.6% Punjabi, 1.2% Tagalog, 1.1% Hindi, 0.9% Malayalam and 0.9% Arabic.

Heritage listings

Bracken Ridge has a few heritage-listed sites, including:

  • 83 Barfoot Street: Sandgate Third Lagoon 
  • 225 Barrett Street: Bald Hills Cemetery 

Politics

Education

Bracken Ridge State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 1 Binburra Street (27°19′30″S 153°02′31″E / 27.3251°S 153.0420°E / -27.3251; 153.0420 (Bracken Ridge State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 366 students with 32 teachers (26 full-time equivalent) and 23 non-teaching staff (12 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Norris Road State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 28 Greenore Street (27°19′00″S 153°01′30″E / 27.3166°S 153.0250°E / -27.3166; 153.0250 (Norris Road State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 688 students with 57 teachers (49 full-time equivalent) and 35 non-teaching staff (24 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is a Catholic primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 30 Eldorado Street (27°19′30″S 153°02′04″E / 27.3250°S 153.0344°E / -27.3250; 153.0344 (St Joseph's Catholic Primary School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 681 students with 49 teachers (40 full-time equivalent) and 35 non-teaching staff (20 full-time equivalent).

Bracken Ridge State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at 68 Barfoot Street (27°18′26″S 153°02′38″E / 27.3073°S 153.0440°E / -27.3073; 153.0440 (Bracken Ridge State High School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 520 students with 50 teachers (48 full-time equivalent) and 29 non-teaching staff (21 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

St John Fisher College is a Catholic secondary (7–12) school for girls at John Fisher Drive (27°18′48″S 153°02′38″E / 27.3133°S 153.0438°E / -27.3133; 153.0438 (St John Fisher College)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 526 students with 48 teachers (45 full-time equivalent) and 26 non-teaching staff (18 full-time equivalent).

Queensland Pathways State College is a secondary (10–12) campus of Queensland Pathways State College (headquartered at Coorparoo) at 157 Norris Road (27°19′12″S 153°01′31″E / 27.3200°S 153.0253°E / -27.3200; 153.0253 (Queensland Pathways State College)).

Jabiru Community College is a private secondary (10–12) school for boys and girls at Community Annexe, Bracken Street (27°19′04″S 153°02′18″E / 27.3177°S 153.0384°E / -27.3177; 153.0384 (Jabiru Community College)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 78 students with 9 teachers (8 full-time equivalent) and 6 non-teaching staff (5 full-time equivalent).

Brisbane North Institute of TAFE has a campus at Bracken Ridge.

Amenities

Shopping strips are located in Gawain Road and Barrett Street. A more substantial shopping centre is located on the corner of Telegraph Road and Norris Road. There is also a small shopping centre near the Bracken Ridge Tavern incorporating a Woolworths, chemist and a newsagent on Barrett St. There is a pub (The Bracken Ridge Tavern which incorporates 'Phoenix') on the corner of Barrett and Denham Streets, and a sports centre located on Bracken Ridge Road.

The Brisbane City Council operates a public library on the corner of Barrett St and Bracken St, next to Ferguson Park.

Sports

Bracken Ridge is also home to Bracken Ridge District Cricket Club based at McPherson Park, with McPherson also being the homeground of the Bracken Ridge Little Athletics Club "Roadrunners".

The Bracken Ridge Central Lions club hold a monthly miniature and electrice steam day on the 4th Sunday of each month at Mcphersons Park. Established in 1997. The monthly days sees hundreds of residents turn out.

Bracken Ridge has an indoor sports centre and a netball club "Ridgettes" that are a part of the Brisbane Netball Association on Rode Road in Chermside.

Bracken Ridge hosts The Emily Seebohm Aquatic Centre which officially opened on 14 February 2016, based at 523 Telegraph Road on the border between Fitzgibbon and Bracken Ridge. The pool offers swimming lessons, squad programs and aqua aerobics. It is named after notable resident, Emily Seebohm, as the winning result of a naming competition for the public pool held by the city council prior to its official opening.

Places of worship

There are a number of churches in Bracken Ridge, including:

Bray Park Samoan Church meets at Norris Road State School Hall in Norris Road (27°19′05″S 153°01′28″E / 27.3181°S 153.02446°E / -27.3181; 153.02446 (Bray Park Samoan Church)). It is part of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

Bracken Ridge Tongan Church meets at 17 Bracken Street (27°18′52″S 153°02′20″E / 27.3144°S 153.0389°E / -27.3144; 153.0389 (Bray Park Tongan Church)). It is part of the Wesleyan Methodist Church.

An Islamic community centre lies just across the border in Bald Hills.

Parks

Bracken Ridge has a number of parklands and reserves, including:

Notable residents

References

  1. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Bracken Ridge (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Bracken Ridge Ward". Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 4 February 2017. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  3. ^ "Bracken Ridge – suburb in City of Brisbane (entry 42573)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  4. ^ "Turrbal Tribe". turrbal.com.au. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  5. ^ "Bracken Ridge: from ferns and farms to flourishing suburb". warwickdailynews.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
  6. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  7. ^ "Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016-17" (PDF). Public Libraries Connect. State Library of Queensland. November 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Bracken Ridge, QLD - Holy Spirit Anglican". Australian Christian Church Histories. Archived from the original on 18 March 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Bracken Ridge Gospel Hall - Former". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  10. ^ "294 Bracken Ridge Road Bracken Ridge Qld 4017". Realestate.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  11. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Bracken Ridge (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  12. ^ "Sandgate Third Lagoon". Brisbane Heritage Register. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Bald Hills Cemetery". Brisbane Heritage Register. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  14. ^ "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  15. ^ "Bracken Ridge State School". Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  16. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  17. ^ "Norris Road State School". Archived from the original on 10 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  18. ^ "St Joseph's Catholic Primary School". Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  19. ^ "Bracken Ridge State High School". Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  20. ^ "St John Fisher College". Archived from the original on 11 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  21. ^ "Queensland Pathways State College". Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Jabiru Community College". Archived from the original on 29 March 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  23. ^ "Library opening hours and locations". Brisbane City Council. 3 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  24. ^ "Church of the Holy Spirit". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  25. ^ "Anglican Parish Sandgate Northpoint". 4017anglican.church. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  26. ^ "St Joseph's Catholic Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  27. ^ "Parish of St Joseph and St Anthony". Parish of St Joseph and St Anthony. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Welcome to Bracken Ridge Uniting Church". brackenridge.unitingchurch.org.au. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Bracken Ridge Uniting Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  30. ^ "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Bracken Ridge Baptist Church". Churches Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  32. ^ "Bracken Ridge Baptist Church". Bracken Ridge Baptist Church. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  33. ^ "Meetinghouse Locator | LDS Maps". Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Bray Park Samoan Church". Wesleyan Methodist Church Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  35. ^ "South Queensland". Wesleyan Methodist Church Australia. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Bracken Ridge Parks and Reserves". Amanda Cooper Councillor for Bracken Ridge Ward. 2017. Archived from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2017.
  37. ^ "Land for public recreation - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  38. ^ "How Trent Dalton Channeled Boy Swallows Universe". 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2021.

Further reading

  • Sandgate & District Historical Society and Museum (2001). From Solitude to Suburbia: A Peep into the History of Bracken Ridge. Brisbane: Sandgate & District Historical Society & Museum Incorporated. p. 98.
  • Randall, Brian (1999). A Guide to the History of the Brisbane City Council Ward of Bracken Ridge: Encompassing Aspley, Bald Hills, Bracken Ridge, Bridgeman Downs, Carseldine and Fitzgibbon. Brisbane: Brian Randall. p. 68.