West End, Queensland

This article is about the suburb of Brisbane. For the suburb of Townsville, see West End, Queensland (Townsville).

West End Brisbane, Queensland
View down Boundary St towards West End from Dornoch Terrace
Population:	6,161 (2004)
Established:	1860s
Postcode:	4101
Area:	1.9 km² (0.7 sq mi)
LGA:	Brisbane City Council
Federal Division:	Griffith
Suburbs around West End: Milton South Brisbane South Brisbane Auchenflower West End South Brisbane Toowong St Lucia Highgate Hill Woolloongabba

West 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 the ferry terminus at the end of Hoogley Street. The tram line closed on 13 April 1969.

The former Tristram's Drink Factory, 79 Boundary St, West End, built in 1928 and one of Australia's best examples of the Mission Revival Style architecture was converted into a market in the 1990s and remains a heritage landmark of West End.

Scenes for the feature film Jucy (2010) were shot at the now-defunct video store Trash Video in the suburb.

The suburb was affected by the 2010–2011 Queensland floods as the Brisbane River broke its banks. From 11 January low-lying areas of the suburb and other places in Brisbane were evacuated.

Geography

Geographically, West End is bounded by the Brisbane River to the west and the south. The south-western 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 has traditionally been home to Brisbane's largest Indigenous Australian and Greek communities, as well as significant Chinese and Italian communities. For this reason, West End has often been cited as one of Brisbane's most successful multicultural areas.

In recent times, students and academics have moved into West End, taking advantage of the area's proximity to the University of Queensland, Griffith University Southbank (including Queensland Conservatorium) and Nathan campuses and the QUT. West End's inner city location has also attracted many young professionals to the area.

Along with the influx of students and young professionals, there has been a growing number of cafes, restaurants, and bars - many with an ethnic, vegetarian or organic emphasis. With these changes, West End is widely seen as Brisbane's home for a younger "chic" or "hipster" crowd who represent a modern alternative take on urban life.

Planning and development

Just over 50% of the dwellings are standalone houses and 37% are higher density residential properties, including multi-storey blocks of apartments and units. Some houses are covered by historic preservation laws 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/town-house price in West End for 2005 is $310,000, and the median house price is $490,500.

A flood flag map for West End can be found at the Brisbane City Council website.

Economy

Ethnic shops lining Boundary Street

The area's major attraction is its café and restaurant scene, as well as its shopping, which is centred along Boundary Street. It is also known for its high concentration of ethnic and organic grocery stores. Davies Park on the riverside hosts one of the largest Farmer's markets in Greater Brisbane every Saturday between 6am and 2pm. 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, factories are now being sold to make way for upscale waterfront apartments. This is 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^{[citation needed]} and change the economic make-up of the area. As such, West End is currently undergoing urban renewal, with an enormous change in real estate prices, and new development changing^{[citation needed]} the area demographic.

Schools

West End is in the catchment for Brisbane State High School, commonly referred to as "State High". State High is a partially selective co-educational facility that is recognised as Queensland's premier public school.^{[citation needed]} State High's outstanding reputation means that many families buy or rent in the area in order to ensure a place for their children at State High.

West End State Primary School is located on the corner of Vulture Street and Hardgrave Road.

Transport

The West End ferry wharf was destroyed in the 2010–2011 Queensland floods

The suburb is well serviced by buses and ferries. Bus services include Route 199 BUZ to New Farm-City-West End Ferry, leaving every 5 minutes, Route 192 University of Queensland to City, Route 198 Highgate Hill Hail & Ride (Coles West End-PA Hospital-Woolloongabba-Vulture St-Coles West End) and a City Glider service along Montague Road.

CityCat services leave from the West End ferry wharf in Orleigh Street. The ferry terminal was destroyed in the 2011 floods. It was replaced and operating on the 24 July 2011.

Electronically secured BCC bicycle sheds exist near the West End Ferry Terminal and on Montague Road.

See also

• Street Arts

External links

• West End's Community Newspaper website
• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: West End (Brisbane)