- West End, Queensland
:"West End is also the name of a suburb in Townsville. See
West End, Queensland (Townsville) ." Infobox Australian Place
name = West End
caption = View down Boundary St towards West End from Dornoch Terrace
state = qld
type = suburb
lga = Brisbane City Council
city = Brisbane
fedgov = Griffith
est = 1860s
postcode = 4101
pop = 6,161 (2004) [ [http://abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/3050516072000-2004?OpenDocument&tabname=Details&prodno=305051607&issue=2000-2004&num=&view=& National Regional Profile : West End (Statistical Local Area) ] ]
area = 1.9
propval = $495,000 [ [http://www.brisbane-australia.com/104885.php] Accessed September 30, 2006.]
near-nw = Milton
near-n = South Brisbane
near-ne = South Brisbane
near-w = Auchenflower
near-e = South Brisbane
near-sw = Toowong
St Lucia
near-s = Highgate Hill
near-se = WoolloongabbaWest End is an inner-city suburb of southern
Brisbane .History
West End was named by early English settlers who found the area reminiscent of the
West End of London .West End was one of the first suburbs of Brisbane to be serviced by a
tram line, being opened in 1885. Initially the tram was horse-drawn and terminated in Boundary Street, but in 1897 the line was electrified and extended to the southern end of Hardgrave Road, via Vulture Street. It was subsequently extended down Hoogley Street to theferry terminus at the end of Hoogley Street. The tram line closed on 13 April 1969.Geography
Geographically, West End is bounded by the
Brisbane River to the west and the south. The southwestern part of West End, along the Brisbane River, is also referred to as Hill End.West End is adjacent to the suburbs of South Brisbane and Highgate Hill. These three suburbs make up a peninsula of the
Brisbane River .The Aboriginal name for the area is Kurilpa, which means place of the water rat.
Demography
According to the 2001 national census 65% of residents in West End are individuals or families without children with 35% being those with children. The suburb is known as the home to Bribane's largest
Indigenous Australian community as well as large proportions of Italian, Lebanese, Asian and Greek populations. West End is often noted as being one of the most multi-cultural areas in Queensland and the community is very accepting of others and alternate views. In recent times the growing number of cafes and bars has attracted a younger "chic " or "Hippie " crowd to the area. This appealing style, in combination with West Ends proximity to theUniversity of Queensland , TheBrisbane River and numerous parks could conceivably account for the high proportion of students living in the area.Housing
Just over 50% of the dwellings are standalone houses and 37% are higher density residential properties, including multi-storey blocks of
apartments and units. Somehouses are covered byhistoric preservation law s seeking to preserve the historical character e.g. tin roofing. Contrasting sharply with the historic homes are new buildings of contemporary designs. Prices for all types of properties have been increasing dramatically in recent decades. According to REIQ, the median unit/townhouse price in West End for 2005 is $310,000, and the median house price is $490,500.Economy
The area's major attraction is its
café andrestaurant scene, as well as its shopping centered along Boundary Street. It is also known for its high concentration of ethnic and organic grocery stores, which reflect theliberalism of many West End residents. Davies Park on the riverside hosts one of the largestFarmer's market s in GreaterBrisbane every Saturday.West End has an industrial backbone, in particular, along Montague Road down to Riverside Drive. Given the value of riverside property now that flooding is better managed, many factories are now being sold off to make way for designer apartments. This part of a plan to increase population densities in near-city suburbs. It will significantly affect the ability of working class people to remain in the area and change the economic make-up of the area.References
External links
* [http://www.westender.com.au/ West End's Community Newspaper website]
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