Speers Point, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Speers Point
city = Newcastle
state = nsw

---

caption =
lga = City of Lake Macquarie
postcode = 2284
pop = 3,103 (2006 census)
area = 2.7
est = 1870
parish = Kahibah Parish [cite web|url=http://www.gnb.nsw.gov.au/name_search/extract?id=TRckWysyMn|title=Geographical Names Register Extract - 54088 Speers Point|author=Geographical Names Board of New South Wales|accessdate=2007-08-25]
stategov = Lake Macquarie
fedgov = Charlton
dist1 = 17 | dir1 = WSW | location1= Newcastle [http://maps.google.com.au/maps?ll=-32.965,151.618&spn=0.015,0.025&om=1 Google Maps Australia - Newcastle NSW to Speers Point NSW] (accessed 2007-10-11)]
dist2 = 143 | dir2 = NE | location2= Sydney [http://maps.google.com.au/maps?ll=-32.965,151.618&spn=0.015,0.025&om=1 Google Maps Australia - Sydney NSW to Speers Point NSW] (accessed 2007-10-11)]
near-nw = Teralba
near-n = Boolaroo
near-ne = Macquarie Hills
near-w = Teralba
near-e = Warners Bay
near-sw = "Lake Macquarie"
near-s = "Lake Macquarie"
near-se = Warners Bay

Speers Point is a suburb within the local government area of City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia. It is located convert|17|km|mi|1|lk=on west-southwest of the city of Newcastle on the northern shore of Lake Macquarie, in Cockle Bay, between the town centres of Cardiff and Warners Bay.

Speers Point was settled in 1828 and local commerce began through a colliery in 1843. By 2006, the suburb had a population of 3,103.

History

Before European settlement, the Awabakal people of Lake Macquarie had inhabited the area and called it "Biddaba" or "Milloba".cite web|url=http://www.lib.mq.edu.au/all/journeys/related/tribes.html|title=Australian Aboriginal Tribes]

The first claimant to the land was a settler named William Brooks, who selected the area now called Kahibah Parish in 1828, named his property "Lochend" and received deeds in 1839. The title deeds covered the area east of Cockle Creek, Boolaroo and the place now known as Speers Point. However, before Brooks' claim the land had been occupied by R. Sadleir, who did not make a claim to the land. Brooks developed his claim and opened the Lochend Colliery in 1843, which mined coal from the bottom of the hills around Speers Point.

In 1870, William Speer, a wealthy businessman from Sydney, settled there and obtained some of Brooks' land. Speer's residence was erected opposite the current Council Administration Centre. William Brooks' name of Lochend was forgotten and Speer's name remained as Speers Point, referring to the peninsula of land into Lake Macquarie that part of the area is located on. [http://www.lakemac.infohunt.nsw.gov.au/library/lhist/suburb/lmp&p/speerspoint.htm Lake Macquarie Library Infohunt] (accessed 2007-08-09). ]

In 1887, a 'Mr Ryan' was the only resident of the area. Ryan was Speer's estate administrator. However, Speers Point began to become more populated when its first subdivision occurred in 1902. Further subdivisions occurred and industry began to open up, and Speers Point Park was transferred to the Lake Macquarie council in 1910. In 1912, a steam tram line began service, whilst the Lake Macquarie council offices moved to Speers Point in 1915 (and moved again in 1955). In 1916 the first post office was opened along with another mine.

In 1920, a rowing boat (later hire boat and ferry) service operated across Cockle Creek, however a footbridge was constructed in 1928. In 1930 the steam tram service ceased operations, but was replaced by a private bus service in 1931. Two routes were opened by the government in 1937, whilst an industrial port bus service began operation in 1938. Sewerage systems were put in place in 1945, and two public schools opened in January 1957 and January 1959.

The first winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 1945, a cutter called Rani was built by the Steel brothers of Lake Macquarie. Being the second smallest of the nine competing, it was 'given up as lost' by the organisers. [http://reiss.wordpress.com/category/marine-history/ Marine history - Hot Shot Kaskelot 'Salt'] (accessed 2007-09-22)] Dugard, Martin. "Knockdown, The Harrowing True Account Of A Yacht Race Turned Deadly". Pocket Books.]

The post office closed in 1976 and the 1989 Newcastle earthquake brought substantial damage to the town, especially to the Boolaroo-Speers Point RSL club and its youth section. The epicentre of the magnitude 5.6 earthquake was the neighbouring suburb of Boolaroo. [http://www.lakemac.infohunt.nsw.gov.au/lmphotos/lak040/lak04063.htm 1989 Earthquake damage to RSL club - Lake Macquarie City Library] (accessed 2007-11-02)]

Geography

Speers Point is located approximately convert|17|km|mi|1 of Newcastle, New South Wales and convert|143|km|mi|1 north-east of Sydney, [http://earth.google.com Google Earth] map directions for Speers Point - Newcastle (accessed 2007-09-11)
* [http://earth.google.com Google Earth] map directions for Speers Point - Sydney (accessed 2007-09-11)] within the City of Lake Macquarie at coord|32|57|54|S|151|37|05|E|.Census 2006 AUS|id = SSC14411 | name = Speers Point (State Suburb) | accessdate = 2007-09-11 | quick = on] The suburban boundaries of Speers Point are somewhat ill-defined, but a general guide would be Cockle Creek to the west, Seventh Street to the north, Fairfax Road to the east and Lake Macquarie to the south. [http://www.ubd.com.au/directories/index_html?content_id=24 Newcastle and Lower Hunter Valley UBD street directory] (accessed 2007-09-12)]

The elevation of Speers Point is approximately 27 metres above sea level. [http://maps.bonzle.com/c/a?a=p&cmd=sp&zix=r&p=14929&st=&s=speers%20point&c=1&x=151%2E618&y=%2D32%2E965&w=40000 Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia - Map of Speers Point, NSW] (accessed 2007-09-12)]

Climate

Speers Point is located in an oceanic climate zone, similar to that of Melbourne and Canberra. [http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Koppen_classification_worldmap_CfbCfc.pngKoppen classification world map] (accessed 2007-11-02)] [http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_061055.shtml Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Newcastle Nobbys Signal Station statistics] (accessed 2007-11-02). 17 km from Speers Point.]

Economy

Early industry in Speers Point included the Lochend Colliery from 1843 where coal was mined until 1916, when the Speers Point Gully mine was opened by T.D.H. Rhodes. Soon after settlement by William Speer, a dairy began operating and before 1874 a citrus orchard was in operation by the lakeside.

The nearby Pasminco (now Zinifex) Cockle Creek Smelter operated from 1896, however operations ceased on 12 September 2003. Since the departure of the mining industry Speers Point has not housed any major businesses. [http://www1.hnehealth.nsw.gov.au/hneph/EHM/Pasminco.htm Hunter New England Health] (accessed 2007-08-13)]

Facilities

The Lake Macquarie area in general receives the same media outlets as nearby Newcastle. However, the "Lake Macquarie News" is a local newspaper owned by the News Limited community newspaper circle. [http://www.lakemacquarienews.com.au/ Lake Macquarie News] (accessed 2007-08-13)]

Despite its small size, Speers Point is home to many sports clubs, many of which may be considered 'niche markets', such as the Speers Point Amateur Sailing Club, a major social ground for manyh residents. [http://www.sailingspeerspoint.org.au/About_Us/about_us.html Speers Point Amateur Sailing Club - About Us] (accessed 2007-09-20)] This organisation was founded on Lake Macquarie in the early 1900s and is currently situated at Speers Point Park. Speers Point is also home to a swim centre. [http://www.lakemac.com.au/page.aspx?pid=467&vid=13 Speers Point: Lake Macquarie City Council] (accessed 2007-09-20)]

Opposite the Speers Point swim centre is Speers Point Park, which boasts a stage area, playgrounds, BBQ facilities and lighting. The park is dog friendly. [http://www.lakemac.com.au/page.aspx?pid=178&dconid=813&vid=11&dpt=Details Speers Point Park - Community Directory - Lake Macquarie City Council] (accessed 2007-09-20)]

Speers Point also gives its name to a RSL sub-branch in nearby Boolaroo. [http://www.rslnsw.com.au/index.cfm?page=422 RSL Sub-branch listing A-K] (accessed 2007-09-20)] A bowls club is located near there. [http://www.sailingspeerspoint.org.au/ Speers Point Sailing Club - Speers Point (township)] (accessed 2007-11-02)]

There is no hospital in Speers Point but in the nearby suburb of Warners Bay there is one private hospital (Warners Bay Private Hospital).

Speers Point has one public school, Speers Point Public School, located on Bell St. It has enrollment figures of 170, with years K-6 attending. The school was founded in 1957 and currently features an outdoor playground, undercover areas, sports facilities, computer labs and resources. [http://www.speerspoint.ps.education.nsw.gov.au/html/m1_pg2.html Speers Point Public School - Facilities Tour] (accessed 2007-09-23)]

Only one high school serves the 2284 postcode area, Lake Macquarie High School, located in nearby Booragul. [http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/schoolfind/locator/?section=showRecord&code=3968 School Locator - Speers Point Public School] (accessed 2007-09-23)] An independent school is located in nearby Booragul called St Pauls High School. [http://www.nationwide.com.au/directory/schools/nsw.html Schools - NSW (Nationwide Index)] (accessed 2007-09-23)]

Demographics

At the ABS 2006 census, Speers Point had a population of 3,103.Census 2006 AUS|id=SSC14411|name=Speers Point (State Suburb)|accessdate=2007-08-25] This was an increase of 66 people from the 2001 census.Census 2001 AUS|id=SSC16386|name=Speers Point (State Suburb)|accessdate=2007-08-25]

Speers Point residents had a median age of 44 years, compared to the northern Lake Macquarie regional average of 38 years, and the New South Wales and Australian median of 37 years.Census 2006 AUS|id=110054653|name=Lake Macquarie (C) - North (Statistical Local Area)|accessdate=2007-08-25|quick=on] Census 2006 AUS|id = 1|name = New South Wales|accessdate = 2007-09-12|quick=on] The median individual income was below average for the region—$408 per week compared with $432 per week across northern Lake Macquarie and $461 a week in New South Wales. The 2006 Census figures put Speers Point's unemployment rate at 1.6% below the Newcastle average.

Females make up 50.7% of the 3103 residents of Speers Point (a total of 1573), whilst males, at 1530, make up only 49.3%. This differs from the national Australian average of 50.6% females and 49.4% males.

The population of Speers Point is predominantly Australian-born, with some 84.8% of its residents as at the 2006 census. The second most prevalent birthplace was the United Kingdom at 3.90%. 2.00% reported one or more parents of Italian birth. At the 2006 census, 1.42% of residents identified as Indigenous Australians.

The most popular religious affiliations in descending order in the 2006 census were Anglican, Roman Catholic, no religion and Uniting. The All Saints Anglican Church, Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church [cite web|url=http://www.cathchurch.net/nsw/parish/Boolaroo.htm|title=Parish of Our Lady Help of Christians - Boolaroo-Warners Bay|author=Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (Catholic)|accessdate=2007-08-25] and Boolaroo Uniting Church are all located on Main Road in or near the suburb's northern boundary.

Transport

Cars are the preferred mode of transport in the suburb. At the 2001 census, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that 74.96% of Speers Point's residents were drivers or passengers of cars in their commute to work, a figure significantly higher than the regional average of 71.87%.Census 2001 AUS|id=1003|name=Newcastle (NSW) (Statistical District)|accessdate=2007-01-26] Other private modes of transport included motorcycling (0.48%), cycling (0.72%) and walking (1.86%). A state bike path runs close to the suburb (Newcastle 39). [http://www.bikepaths.com.au/images/SydMaps/Syd-01NSWIndex.jpgBike Paths map] (accessed 2007-11-02)]

At the 2001 census, 4.12% of Speers Point residents used public transport to get to work, compared with 2.72% regionally. The suburb is served by the 363 bus route (Monday-Saturday) between Belmont/Warners Bay and Newcastle's central business district, provided by Newcastle Buses & Ferries. The bus also connects with the Main North railway line at Cockle Creek railway station approximately convert|2.5|km|mi|1 to the north of the suburb, and a major regional shopping centre, Stockland Glendale. [http://www.newcastlebuses.info/routes.php Newcastle Buses - Route Information] (accessed 2007-09-22)]

Early transport included steam trams (beginning in 1912 and closing 1930), a rowing boat ferry service operated by Harry Linsley across Cockle Creek in 1920 (a footbridge was built in 1928) and government bus services beginning 1937.

Government and politics

At federal level, Speers Point is within the Division of Charlton, a safe seat for the Australian Labor Party. It has been held since 2007 by former ACTU secretary Greg Combet. [cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/guide/char.htm|title=Charlton - Green Guide|last=Green|first=Antony|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=10 December 2007|accessdate=2007-12-10] The Speers Point booth was won comfortably at the 2007 federal election by the Labor Party, with a two-party preferred vote of 60.97%. [cite web|url=http://results.aec.gov.au/13745/website/HousePollingPlaceFirstPrefs-13745-367.htm|title=Polling Place - Speers Point|publisher=Australian Electoral Commission|date=6 December 2007|accessdate=2007-12-10]

In the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, Speers Point is within the electorate of Lake Macquarie. Normally a safe Labor seat, [cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2007/guide/lakm.htm|title=Lake Macquarie (Key Seat) - Green Guide|last=Green|first=Antony|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=11 April 2007|accessdate=2007-08-25] it was won at the 2007 election by Independent Greg Piper, the former mayor of the Lake Macquarie City Council.

Speers Point is located within the West Ward of the City of Lake Macquarie, [http://www.lakemac.com.au/page.aspx?pid=721&vid=10 West Ward - City of Lake Macquarie] (accessed 2007-11-02)] and hosts the City's council offices. [http://www.lakemac.com.au/page.aspx?pid=110&vid=10 Council Meetings - City of Lake Macquarie] (accessed 2007-11-02)]

Polling place statistics are presented below from the "Speers Point" polling place in the federal and state elections as indicated.

References

External links

* [http://www.lakemac.com.au/page.aspx?vid=10 Lake Macquarie LGA website]
* [http://www.speerspoint.ps.education.nsw.gov.au/html/home.html Speers Point Public School website]