Carrara, Queensland

Coordinates: 28°01′15″S 153°22′10″E / 28.0208°S 153.3694°E / -28.0208; 153.3694 (Carrara (centre of suburb))
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Not to be confused with Karara, Queensland.

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Carrara
Gold Coast, Queensland
Hickey Way, 2015
Carrara is located in Gold Coast, Australia
Carrara
Carrara
Map
Coordinates28°01′15″S 153°22′10″E / 28.0208°S 153.3694°E / -28.0208; 153.3694 (Carrara (centre of suburb))
Population12,060 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density868/km2 (2,247/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4211
Elevation1 m (3 ft)
Area13.9 km2 (5.4 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Gold Coast City
State electorate(s)Gaven
Federal division(s)Moncrieff
Suburbs around Carrara:
Highland Park Nerang Ashmore
Worongary Carrara Benowa
Worongary Merrimac Broadbeach Waters
Clear Island Waters

Carrara (/kərærə/) is a suburb in the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2016 census, Carrara had a population of 12,060 people.[1]

Geography[edit]

Carrara is bounded to the east by the southern bank of the Nerang River and to the west mostly by the Pacific Motorway.[3]

Carrara is built on the Guragunbah Plain (28°02′12″S 153°22′20″E / 28.0367°S 153.3721°E / -28.0367; 153.3721 (Guragunbah)) which was officially named in 2000, having previously been unofficially known as the Merrimac-Carrara Flood Plain.[4]

It is the home of Carrara Stadium (also known as Heritage Bank Stadium for sponsorship reasons), the purpose-built cricket and Australian rules football ground where the Gold Coast Suns began playing matches in 2011.[citation needed]

History[edit]

The name Carrara comes from the Aboriginal word Karara meaning long flat.[5]

Carrara was first used by the Manchester Cotton Company as a cotton plantation that began in the early 1860s.[5]

Carrara Provisional School opened in February 1902 on premises lent by farmer Francis Parr until a permanent building could be constructed on land donated by farmer William Lees.[6] Tenders were called for the building in October 1902 with the tender being awarded in February 1903 to carpenters John Lather & Sons of Southport.[7][8] On 1 January 1909 it became Carrara State School. It closed circa 1925.[9] In 1929 the school building was relocated to Guanaba.[10] In 1932, due to the growing population in the area, there was unsuccessful local lobbying to re-open the school by constructing a new building to operate as a provisional school on the existing site.[11] The approximate location of the school was near the intersection of Nerang Broadbeach Road and Carrara Road (28°01′02″S 153°23′02″E / 28.0172°S 153.3840°E / -28.0172; 153.3840 (Carrara State School (former))) near to the ferry which crossed the Nerang River.[12]

In 1958, Keith Williams established the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens on the south bank of the Nerang River in Carrara. It quickly became a popular tourist attraction featuring shows of water skiing and speed boat driving. It also hosted Australian Water Ski championships. In 1971 the attraction relocated to a larger site on the Southport Spit as renamed Ski Land, and then was renamed Sea World in 1972 with the addition of dolphin shows and other attractions. The ski shows continued at Sea World until July 2009 with an estimated 30,000 performances over 40 years.[13][14]

Pleasure Island was an amusement park that opened in 1959 and closed in 1962. It was located to the east of the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens.[15]

In 1966, Keith Williams developed the Surfers Paradise International Raceway (28°00′59″S 153°22′34″E / 28.0164°S 153.3761°E / -28.0164; 153.3761 (Surfers Paradise International Raceway (former))) opposite the ski gardens. It had a 2-mile (3.2 km) road racing circuit and a 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) straight dragstrip. It closed in August 1987 and was demolished in 2003 to create the Emerald Lakes canal development.[16]

In 1968, Neville Parker purchased land on the river adjacent to the Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens where he developed the Carrara Water Ski School, teaching people how to water ski.[17]

Emmanuel College opened on 24 January 1983.[9]

St Michael's College opened its Carrara campus on 4 February 1985, but, as at 2021, this school is within the boundaries of neighbouring Merrimac.[9][3]

In 1987, Japanese Daikyo Group worked on the $50 million Palm Meadows 18-hole golf course and country club.[18]

In 2009, the Australian International Islamic College opened its Gold Coast campus at Carrara.[19]

Josiah College opened in April 2018 to provide specialist education for children with autism spectrum disorders.[20]

Demographics[edit]

In the 2011 census, Carrara recorded a population of 11,569 people, 51.2% female and 48.8% male. The median age of the Carrara population was 38 years, 1 year above the national median of 37. 66% of people living in Carrara were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were New Zealand 9.5%, England 5.1%, South Africa 1.3%, Japan 0.9%, Scotland 0.8%. 85% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 1.3% Japanese, 0.8% Mandarin, 0.6% German, 0.5% French, 0.5% Italian.[21]

In the 2016 census, Carrara had a population of 12,060 people.[1]

Education[edit]

Emmanuel College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at Birmingham Road (28°00′59″S 153°22′10″E / 28.0165°S 153.3695°E / -28.0165; 153.3695 (Emmanuel College)).[22][23] In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 1,580 students with 128 teachers (112 full-time equivalent) and 94 non-teaching staff (65 full-time equivalent).[24] The school describes itself as "unapologetically Christian", but is not affiliated with any specific denomination or church.[25]

Josiah College is a private special primary and secondary (2-12) school for boys and girls on the autism spectrum. It is at 1 Emerald Lakes Drive (28°00′50″S 153°22′17″E / 28.0139°S 153.3714°E / -28.0139; 153.3714 (Josiah College)).[26][27] It is operated by Emmanuel College.[28]

The Australian International Islamic College has a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) campus at 19 Chisholm Road (28°00′12″S 153°21′24″E / 28.0033°S 153.3567°E / -28.0033; 153.3567 (Australian International Islamic College)). The school has its main campus at Durack in Brisbane.[22][19]

There are no government schools in Carrara. The nearest government primary schools are Nerang State School in neighbouring Nerang to the north, Ashmore State School in neighbouring Ashmore to the northeast, Merrimac State School in neighbouring Merrimac to the south, Worongary State School in neighbouring Worongary to the west, and William Duncan State School in neighbouring Highland Park to the northwest. The nearest government secondary schools are Nerang State High School in neighbouring Nerang to the north, Benowa State High School in neighbouring Benowa to the east, and Merrimac State High School in neighbouring Merrimac to the south.[3]

Facilities[edit]

Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service facility (2021).

The Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter Service has a heliport at 282-294 Nerang Broadbeach Road (28°00′13″S 153°21′45″E / 28.0035°S 153.3626°E / -28.0035; 153.3626 (Gold Coast Lifesaver Base)).[29]

Carrara SES Facility is at 120 Eastlake Street (28°02′14″S 153°21′24″E / 28.0373°S 153.3566°E / -28.0373; 153.3566 (Carrara SES Facility)) within the Gold Coast City Council Depot.[30][31]

Carrara Health Centre is at 45 Chisholm Road and is part of Robina Hospital (28°00′10″S 153°21′15″E / 28.0029°S 153.3542°E / -28.0029; 153.3542 (Carrara health centre)).[26]

Amenities[edit]

Boonooroo Park Shopping Centre is at 2 Coelia Court (28°01′00″S 153°21′06″E / 28.0166°S 153.3517°E / -28.0166; 153.3517 (Boonooroo Park Shopping Centre)).[32]

Carrara Water Ski School teaches water skiing on the Nerang River at 556 Nerang Broadbeach Road (28°00′42″S 153°22′27″E / 28.0116°S 153.3743°E / -28.0116; 153.3743 (Carrara Water Ski School)).[32]

There is a boat ramp on Carrara Road providing access to the Nerang River (28°01′00″S 153°23′13″E / 28.0167°S 153.3869°E / -28.0167; 153.3869 (Carrara Road boat ramp)). It is managed by the Gold Coast City Council.[33]

Churches[edit]

Reach Out for Christ is a church at 288 Gooding Drive (28°02′03″S 153°22′48″E / 28.0343°S 153.3800°E / -28.0343; 153.3800 (Reach Out for Christ)).[32][34]

Liberti Carrara is a Baptist church at 1/20 Indy Court (27°59′56″S 153°21′17″E / 27.9988°S 153.3547°E / -27.9988; 153.3547 (BAPTIST CHURCH CARRARA)).[32][35]

Golf courses[edit]

Carrara has a number of golf courses, including:

Parks[edit]

There are a number of parks in the suburb, including:

Events[edit]

Opening ceremony of the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Carrara Stadium

Operating every weekend, the Carrara Markets are a variety of local stores and attractions for people living within the region.[41][38] An Entertainment Precinct is expected to be built opposite the Sports Precinct and will include a showgrounds area that will see the area host the Gold Coast Show, as well as musical festivals such as Big Day Out.[citation needed]

The Carrara Stadium hosted the 2018 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies, as well as a variety of musical related tours and events. These include, but are not limited to, KISS' Farewell Tour in 2001,[42] the final edition of the Queen + Adam Lambert's Rhapsody Tour within the continent and an edition of Foo Fighters' Wasting Light Tour in 2011.

Sport and recreation[edit]

View of the field and grandstand at Carrara Stadium

The Carrara Sports Precinct consists of a number of sports facilities located on Nerang−Broadbeach Road, including Carrara Stadium and Carrara Indoor Stadium. Carrara Stadium is home to the Australian rules football club, Gold Coast Suns, competing in the AFL and the AFL Women's. The outdoor facility also serves as a secondary ground for the T20 cricket sides, the Brisbane Heat and women's team, both competing within the Big Bash and the Women's Big Bash respectively. The indoor stadium previously hosted the now defunct Gold Coast Rollers, where they competed in the National Basketball League.

Carrara is also home to the soccer team Magic United, as well as the Palm Meadows and Emerald Lakes golf courses.

The Carrara Sports Precinct was the main stadium of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, hosting sports including Athletics, Badminton, Basketball and Gymnastics throughout the duration of the tournament.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Carrara (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018. Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "Carrara – suburb in City of Gold Coast (entry 46036)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Guragunbah – plain in City of Gold Coast (entry 41206)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Carrara History". History of our suburbs. Gold Coast City Council. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  6. ^ "COUNTRY NEWS". The Queenslander. Vol. LXII, no. 1368. Queensland, Australia. 8 February 1902. p. 279. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LIX, no. 13, 976. Queensland, Australia. 28 October 1902. p. 1. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ "SOUTHPORT NOTES". The Brisbane Courier. Vol. LIX, no. 14, 075. Queensland, Australia. 21 February 1903. p. 12. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ a b c Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  10. ^ "Guanaba history". Gold Coast City Council. Archived from the original on 1 April 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  11. ^ "CARRARA STATE SCHOOL". South Coast Bulletin. Vol. 4, no. 197. Queensland, Australia. 30 September 1932. p. 10. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Moreton 40 Chain map AG2 series sheet 11 south" (Map). Queensland Government. 1924. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  13. ^ "Waterski Gold Coast - Stories of our local legends". Boat Gold Coast. 14 November 2015. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  14. ^ Ski Paradise, Surfers Paradise Gardens Nerang River, retrieved 25 February 2023
  15. ^ Cokley, Peter (December 2013). "Pleasure Island Amusement Park, Qld" (PDF). LIGHT RAILWAYS Australia's Magazine of Industrial and Narrow Gauge Railways. (234): 32, 33. ISSN 0727-8101 – via Media.
  16. ^ "SURFERS PARADISE INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY". speedwayandroadracehistory. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  17. ^ "Rise of the Nerang River People". Boat Gold Coast. 19 June 2019. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  18. ^ Roberts, Greg. "Japanese inject more gold into Gold Coast". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  19. ^ a b "Gold Coast campus". Australian International Islamic College. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  20. ^ "About Josiah". Josiah College. 4 May 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  21. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Carrara (State Suburb)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 12 November 2015. Edit this at Wikidata
  22. ^ a b "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  23. ^ "Emmanuel College". Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  24. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2018". Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Archived from the original on 27 August 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Governance and Policies". Emmanuel College. 4 May 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  26. ^ a b "Landmark Areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  27. ^ "Josiah College". Josiah College. 4 May 2021. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  28. ^ "Josiah College". Non-State schools directory. Non-State Schools Accreditation Board. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Heliports and landing grounds - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  30. ^ "Emergency services facilities - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 18 November 2020. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  31. ^ "Carrara SES (State Emergency Service)". facebook.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  32. ^ a b c d e f "Building points - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
  33. ^ "Recreational Boating Facilities Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 12 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  34. ^ "Reachout Church". Reachout Church. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Find a Church". Queensland Baptists. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  36. ^ "Golf Course - Night Golf - Short Course - Gold Coast;". KDV Sport. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  37. ^ "Emerald Lakes Golf Club". 20 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  38. ^ a b "Building areas - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 17 November 2020. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  39. ^ "Home". Palm Meadows. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as "Land for public recreation - Queensland". Queensland Open Data. Queensland Government. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  41. ^ "Carrara Markets the Gold Coast's largest market. Open every weekend". carrara-markets. Archived from the original on 4 May 2021. Retrieved 4 May 2021.
  42. ^ "KISStory: March 11, 2000 FAREWELL Tour Opens". 11 March 2012. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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