Benowa, Queensland

Benowa is a suburb in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[2] It is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) west of Surfers Paradise.

Benowa
Gold Coast, Queensland
Population8,741 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density1,324/km2 (3,430/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4217
Area6.6 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)City of Gold Coast
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s)Moncrieff
Suburbs around Benowa:
Ashmore Ashmore Southport
Carrara Benowa Bundall
Carrara Broadbeach Waters Bundall

History
Canecutters working in the cane fields in the Benowa area, ca. 1910

The name was originally derived from the Bundjalung word "Boonow", meaning bloodwood tree.[2] This word was later corrupted by European settlers in search of sugar cane growing on the shores of the Nerang River. The name was perpetualised in 1870 when a pioneer named Robert Muir used the name for his sugar plantation on the northern bank of the river.

In October 1887, 5 subdivisions comprising the Benowa Estate and Plantation on the Nerang River were advertised to be auctioned by James R. Dickson.[3] A map advertising the auction states the Estate was located 4 miles to Southport bound by a good road on one side and bound by the navigable Nerang River on the other side. Extensive buildings and plant for sugar manufacturing were included on the Estate.[4]

The Bundall Provisional School opened on 21 September 1885 on the corner of Ashmore Road and Mediterranean Drive under head teacher Edwin Davies. In November 1900 it was renamed Benowa Provisional School. On 1 January 1909, it was relocated the corner of Ashmore Road and Carrara St and became Benowa State School. In 1965 it was relocated to its present site at Benowa Road.[5][6]

At the 2011 Census, Benowa had a population of 7,979.[7]

Geography

There are 3 distinct areas to Benowa. Established Benowa located on the northern side of Ashmore Road, Benowa Hills and Benowa Waters. Benowa is attracting a fair amount of attention from renovators with some of the original homes being built around the 1980s, due to its great proximity to Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach and with so many great facilities within the area. Benowa is renowned for its canals with easy access to the Nerang River.

Demographics

In the 2016 census, Benowa recorded a population of 8,741 people, 52.6% female and 47.4% male.

The median age of the Benowa population was 43 years, 5 years above the national median of 38.

59.0% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 6.0%, England 4.7%, China 3.1%, Japan 1.7% and South Africa 1.5%.

70.2% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 4.8%, Japanese 2.5%, Cantonese 1.6% and Korean 1.4%.

The most common responses for religion were No Religion 28.2%, Catholic 22.9% and Anglican 17.3%.[1]

Education

Benowa State Primary School was opened as a small rural school in 1885. The school continued as a rural school until in the 1980s. Current enrolment is 890. School sports include Australian rules football, touch football, netball, hockey, and soccer. The school celebrated its 125th birthday in 2010.

Benowa State High School is known for its French immersion course, which started in 1985.[8]

Amenities

The Gold Coast City Council operates a fortnightly mobile library service which visits Peachey Road.[9]

Sport

Benowa is home to several sports clubs. The Surfers Paradise Australian Football Club are based at Sir Bruce Small Park and compete in the South East Queensland Australian Football League Division 1. The club also plays Cricket in the off season. The Surfers Paradise Baseball Club also play at Sir Bruce Small Park. The Benowa Bowls Club are based at Sir Bruce Small Park also.

The Royal Pines Resort is home to professional Golf tournaments such as the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Ladies Masters. The resort also used to host a professional Tennis event named the Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts on the WTA Tour. The event was moved to Brisbane in 2009. The Tennis facilities are still used by the Australian Fed Cup team to host Fed Cup ties and Bernard Tomic often trains on the courts in the off season.

Heritage listings

There are a number of heritage-listed sites in Benowa, including:

  • 173 Ashmore Road: former Benowa Post Office [10]
  • 234 Ashmore Road: Rosser’s house and gardens [11]

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Benowa (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  2. "Benowa (entry 46027)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  3. "Classified Advertising". The Queenslander. XXXII (625). Queensland, Australia. 24 September 1887. p. 504. Retrieved 30 July 2019 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Benowa Estate and plantation". rosettadel.slq.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  5. "Agency ID 4840, Benowa State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
  6. "School History". Benowa State School. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  7. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Benowa (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  8. Benowa State High School Archived August 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Mobile Library 2018 timetable" (PDF). Gold Coast City Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  10. Gold Coast Local Heritage Register - A to M, pp. 9-10
  11. Gold Coast Local Heritage Register - N to Z, pp. 105-106

Sources

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