The Gap, Queensland

The Gap Brisbane, Queensland
Walton Bridge Reserve at The Gap
Population:	16,395 (2008)
Postcode:	4061
Coordinates:	27°26′38″S 152°57′11″E
Area:	12.2 km² (4.7 sq mi)
LGA:	City of Brisbane, The Gap Ward
State electorate:	Ashgrove
Federal Division:	Ryan
Suburbs around The Gap: Upper Kedron Upper Kedron Enoggera Enoggera Reservoir The Gap Ashgrove Brookfield Mount Coot-tha Bardon

The Gap is a leafy and hilly suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia, located approximately 11 km west of the Brisbane CBD.

Geography

The Gap is situated on the site of an extinct volcano and was named for its geographical location in the valley between Mount Coot-tha and Enoggera Hill (i.e. 'the gap' between hills) which both form part of the Taylor Range.

History

Initially inhabited by the Turrbal people, The Gap was originally heavily forested. With the arrival of European settlement, timber felling became the first industry in the area, and with the removal of the timber the area was turned over to farming. The first crown lease of land was in 1851, to Darby McGrath who ran a sheep station across the entire valley. The first freehold land sale was made in 1858, to P.J. and J. Paten in the area where Paten road runs today. Access to The Gap in the 1850s was via tracks which became Waterworks and Payne Roads. They also provided access to Enoggera Dam which was built in 1866 to provide a water supply for Brisbane. Following World War I the area was broken up into smaller farms for returned servicemen, many of whom farmed poultry and dairy cattle. Many of these farms were too small to be commercially successful, however small pockets of farming remained in The Gap until the 1980s.

From 1879 The Gap was part of the Ithaca local government division, then part of the Shire of Enoggera from 1887 to 1925.

Masons jam factory used to be located to the east of the Ashgrove Golf Course, but has not existed for the past two decades.^{[citation needed]} A gold mine was located near the entrance to Payne Road Primary School.^{[citation needed]} The billabong between The Gap State High School and Payne Road Primary School used to be a favourite swimming location and over the years has been home to turtles, eels and platypus. It was named Shepherd's Pool, supposedly after a shepherd who was killed by aborigines in 1852, although the name may derive from a P.A. Shepherd, who leased the adjacent land in the 1930s. There used to be a toll gate located on Waterworks Road near what is now the entrance to Brisbane Forest Park.

In 2009, scenes for the feature film Jucy (2010) were shot in the suburb.

Severe storm

The Gap was severely affected by a major storm on the afternoon of 16 November 2008. A microburst hit The Gap with extremely high winds, causing many trees to fall onto homes and major roads, as well as causing many houses to lose their roofs. The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, toured the suburb (which he likened to a "war zone"), on 18 November, accompanied by the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, as well as the State Member for Ashgrove, Kate Jones, and the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Campbell Newman. Also touring the suburb to survey the storm damage was the Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson.Kevin Rudd pledged Commonwealth support for residents affected by the disaster and the State Government is also providing financial assistance for storm victims.

Brisbane City Council commented that there are water exemptions for cleaning up debris from the storm, and that extra garbage collections will take place specifically to collect rotten food following long-lasting power loss to storm victims.

Debris from the storm was so extensive that bus services to The Gap were disrupted on Monday, 17 November 2008 (the day following the storm), with buses terminating at West Ashgrove instead of continuing driving to The Gap.

At the entrance to Brisbane Forest Park

Attractions

The district was later subdivided into blocks of land for housing estates. The recreational activities of inhabitants of the suburb are well catered for, with many facilities including many sporting clubs (Soccer, Squash, Tennis, Athletics, Swimming and Golf etc) and there are a number of lush green parks.

The Gap is also where the main entrance to the Brisbane Forest Park is located. A major bushland area in Brisbane's west, Brisbane Forest Park has many Australian wildlife species, including marsupials, birds, fish and reptiles. Brisbane Forest Park also has an information and wildlife education centre.

Facilities

The suburb has a small shopping village (which extends from Walton Bridge Reserve to The Gap State High School and Payne Road State School). There are also Christian churches of many denominations, as well as a local Police Station in the suburb.

Ashgrove Fire Brigade, which is at West Ashgrove, is also in close proximity to The Gap. Also, an ambulance station has now been opened close to The Gap.

The Enoggera Dam is located in the suburb adjacent to The Gap called Enoggera Reservoir.

Schools

The primary and secondary schools in The Gap include:

• The Gap State High School (public state school)
• The Gap State School (public state school)
• Hilder Road State School (public state school)
• Payne Road State School (public state school)
• St Peter Chanel Primary School (independent school)

Transport

Travel to, and within, The Gap is by road. As well as private vehicles, The Gap has a good public bus service. The main arterial road through The Gap is Waterworks Road, which heads east through the suburbs St Johns Wood, Ashgrove and Red Hill and then, as Musgrave Road, it continues to Brisbane city. Waterworks Road was widened, from two lanes to four lanes, along the 8 km stretch of road between The Gap and Red Hill between July 1999 and December 2003. Total cost was $50 million.

Photos of The Gap

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  Enoggera Hill at The Gap

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  Walton Bridge Reserve at The Gap

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  Walton Bridge Reserve at The Gap

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  Mount Coot-tha and the Television Towers, and Walton Bridge Reserve

External links

• ourbrisbane.com website - The Gap section - official Brisbane City Council website
• Brisbane Forest Park, Mount Nebo Road, The Gap - official website (home page)
• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: The Gap