Coochiemudlo Island
| Coochiemudlo Island Redland City, Queensland | |||||||||||||||
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  Coochiemudlo Island | |||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 27°34′21″S 153°19′49″E / 27.5725°S 153.3302°E | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 753 (2016 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 183.7/km2 (476/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4184 | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 4.1 km2 (1.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 33 km (21 mi) from Brisbane GPO | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Redland City | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Redlands | ||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Bowman | ||||||||||||||
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Coochiemudlo Island is a small island in the southern part of Moreton Bay, near Brisbane, in South East Queensland, Australia.[2] It is also the name of the locality upon the island, which is within the local government area of Redland City.[3][4]
In the 2016 census Coochiemudlo Island had a population of 753 people.[1]
Geography
The island is approximately 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Victoria Point, also in Redland City. A natural cliff composed of iron-rich rock is exposed on the south western side of the island. Sandy beaches wrap around the island's southern, eastern and northern sides. Mangroves cover the western foreshore of the island.
History
The name Coochiemudlo is the English language version of the Yuggera words kutchi (meaning red) and mudlo (meaning stone).[2]
The British explorer Matthew Flinders landed on Coochiemudlo Island on 19 July 1799, while he was mapping the southern part of Moreton Bay.[5] The original European name was Innis Island from 1825 to 1850.[2] The island celebrates Flinders Day annually, commemorating the landing of Flinders. The celebrations are usually held on a weekend near 19 July, the actual date of the landing.[6]
At the 2011 census the population of Coochiemudlo Island was 708 people.[7]
In the 2016 census Coochiemudlo Island had a population of 753 people.[1]
Transport and services
The island is serviced by a passenger ferry, operating approximately every half-hour between about 5:00am and 11:00pm. A vehicular barge also operates regular services to and from the island. Due to the relatively small area, a car is not essential for getting around. [citation needed]
A small kiosk, Curlew Café, situated not far from the jetty, serves refreshments.[citation needed] Red Rock Cafe is also on the island plus the Oasis restaurant.[citation needed]
Wildlife
There are many types of wildlife on the island, with its birdlife including sea eagles, brahmany kites, magpies, rosellas, butcher birds, pheasant coucals and a colony of stone curlews which are counted each year.[8]
The waters around Coochiemudlo contain dugongs, turtles and dolphins.
There is a walk through the Melalueca Wetland Reserve with its variety of native plants and trees.[citation needed]
A fauna survey was conducted there in 2016.[1]
Demography
At the 2006 census the population of the Coochiemudlo Island was 658 people.[9] Over 43% were more than 54 years old. Of families 58.2% were couples without children. The most common responses for religious affiliation were "No Religion" at 24.2% which is well above the Australian average of 18.7%. 269 said that they were in the workforce and 60% were in full-time occupations while 28% were working part-time. Only 5% of the island's workforce said they were unemployed. The major areas of employment were Hospitals, Local Government Administration, Other Social Assistance Services, Residential Care Services and Building Completion Services. The median weekly household income was $616, compared with $1,027 in Australia.
At the 2011 census the population of Coochiemudlo Island was 708, 52.7% female and 47.3% male. The median age of the Coochiemudlo Island population was 52 years, 15 years above the national median of 37. 67.8% of people living in Coochiemudlo Island were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 7.8%, New Zealand 6.1%, Germany 1%, Croatia 1%, Philippines 0.7%. 88% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.6% German, 0.6% Indonesian, 0.6% Serbian, 0.4% Dutch, 0.4% Swedish.
Recreation
The sandy beaches of Coochiemudlo Island provide safe swimming. Coochiemudlo's southern beach (main beach) is patrolled by the surf lifesaving association. A 'Nippers' program is available, and caters for both on-island, and off-island children. The surf lifesavers have the use of a building with a first-aid room.
Other facilities include a BMX track, cricket pitch and football oval, bowls/croquet lawn, 9-hole golf course, 2 tennis courts, gym, and a library beneath the Community Hall.[citation needed]
The island's Community Hall has views of Moreton Bay and the mainland. The hall provides the community with a venue for a number of activities and functions.[citation needed]
Also near the tennis courts and croquet green is a recreation hall. This hall is used for indoor bowls, art shows, meetings, and special events.
Fishing is also a common pastime, with species such as bream, whiting, flathead, flounder, tailor, cod, and snapper, amongst others, to be found in the waters around the island.
Coochie is also a destination for sailors. As the island is surrounded on three sides by sandy beaches, and there is always a sheltered beach regardless of the wind direction.[citation needed] Sailing craft range from sailboards, off-the-beach catamarans and dinghies to larger motor and sail yachts. A deep water anchorage and moorings are located to the south of the island near the jetty and boat ramp.
Housing styles
Housing styles on Coochiemudlo range from traditional 1950s fibro beach shacks, contemporary light weight beach houses, relocated Queenslander houses, and conventional suburban brick and tile.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Coochiemudlo Island (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ a b c "Coochiemudlo Island – island in Redland City (entry 8015)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ "Coochiemudlo Island – locality in Redland City (entry 43640)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ "Coochie – town in Redland City (entry 8016)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
- ^ "Coochiemudlo Island". About Redlands. Redland City Council. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ "Flinders Day on Coochie". Archived from the original on 23 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Coochiemudlo Island (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 16 February 2014.
- ^ Cornwall, Nikki (23 April 2017). "Bird-watching on Coochiemudlo Island". Coochiemudlo Island. Archived from the original on 16 August 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- ^ ABS Quickstats
