Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland

Fig Tree Pocket is a leafy riverside western suburb of the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The suburb is located on a river pocket along the north side of Brisbane River and it is 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of the Brisbane CBD.[3] Fig Tree Pocket is home to one of Brisbane's oldest and most loved attractions, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which was established in 1927. The suburb is devoted mostly to low density housing with a large proportion of parks and low levels of noise pollution. At the 2016 Australian Census, the suburb recorded a population of approximately 4,000.[1]

Fig Tree Pocket
Brisbane, Queensland
Dalton House, Fig Tree Pocket
Fig Tree Pocket
Coordinates27°31′54″S 152°58′06″E
Population4,045 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density963/km2 (2,494/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4069
Area4.2 km2 (1.6 sq mi)
LGA(s)City of Brisbane (Walter Taylor Ward)[2]
State electorate(s)Maiwar
Federal Division(s)Ryan
Suburbs around Fig Tree Pocket:
Chapel Hill Indooroopilly Chelmer
Kenmore Fig Tree Pocket Graceville Sherwood
Jindalee Sinnamon Park Seventeen Mile Rocks Oxley Chelmer

Fig Tree Pocket is an affluent suburb that has some of the most expensive and exclusive riverfront properties in Queensland and Australia. In early 2009, one luxury property sold for A$9.5 million[4] and another sold for A$7.15 million.[5] Following the 2010–11 Queensland floods, a riverfront estate sold for $8.25 million at Ningana Street in May 2014 which set a record for the highest price achieved after the natural disaster.[6]

History
The large fig tree, 1866

The suburb takes its name from the Moreton Bay fig trees (Ficus macrophylla). In 1866, one particular fig tree in the area was photographed and described as able to shelter 400 people.[7] In 1866, a reserve of 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres) was created around the fig tree.[3][8] The tree no longer exists but the circumstances of its disappearance are not known.[9]

Fig Tree Pocket State School opened on 4 September 1871.[10][11]

A post office opened in 1878.[8]

Geography

It is noteworthy also for the absence of stores of any kind, with the nearest major shopping complex being the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. Despite this removal from other standard suburban conveniences, the area is serviced by two Brisbane Transport bus routes – the 430 and the 445 – both of which have a terminus at Mandalay Park. The western boundary is marked by the Western Freeway.

Fig Tree Pocket has a premier equestrian club and the Fig Tree Pocket boat ramp is a popular point on the Brisbane River for water skiers to launch from.

Planning and development

Fig Tree Pocket is subject to the Fig Tree Pocket local plan which can be found at Council's website.[12] The suburb is zoned for very low density residential, low density residential and rural housing. Restrictions on multi-unit dwellings apply. The majority of Fig Tree Pocket is rated "low risk" from bushfires.

The suburb was one of many in Brisbane which were affected during the 2010–11 Queensland floods.

Demographics

In the 2016 Australian census, the population of Fig Tree Pocket was 4,045, 49.9% female and 50.1% male. The median age of the Fig Tree Pocket population was 40 years of age, three years above the Australian median. 66.8% of people living in Fig Tree Pocket were born in Australia, which is very close to the national average of 66.7%. The other top responses for country of birth were England 6.2%, South Africa 4.0%, New Zealand 3.0%, United States of America 1.3%, and India 1.3%. 84.3% of people speak only English at home; the next most popular languages were Mandarin 1.7%, German 0.9%, Afrikaans 0.8%, Spanish 0.7%, and Hindi 0.7%. 47.5% of people aged 15 years and over in Fig Tree Pocket had completed a bachelor's degree or higher, which is significantly more than the national 22.0%. "No Religion" was the top response for religious affiliation, with 31.5% of the population. Catholic and Anglican were the next highest religious affiliations with 22.2% and 15.6% respectively.[1]

Schools

Fig Tree Pocket has an early childhood centre and a community kindergarten. The local primary institution, Fig Tree Pocket State School, provides education from Prep to Year 6. The Glenleighden School and Brisbane Montessori School are two additional educational institutions located in Fig Tree Pocket.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Fig Tree Pocket (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  2. "Walter Taylor Ward". Brisbane City Council. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  3. "Fig Tree Pocket (entry 43026)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  4. Staff Writer (27 April 2010). "Smooth sailing for riverfront homes". City News. News Community Media. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  5. Property Profile Report: 626 Jesmond Road, Fig Tree Pocket Qld 4069 onthehouse.com.au. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
  6. "Onthehouse.com.au: Your Home for Property Research". www.onthehouse.com.au. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  7. "TELEGRAPHIC". The Brisbane Courier. 19 January 1866. p. 2. Retrieved 18 June 2015 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Fig Tree Pocket". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  9. Meadows, Jane (Jane Margaret); Meadows, Jane; Library Board of Queensland (1994), Brisbane's western suburbs : our heritage in focus, State Library of Queensland Foundation, ISBN 978-0-7242-6077-5
  10. "Opening and closing dates of Queensland Schools". Queensland Government. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  11. "Agency ID5217, Fig Tree Pocket State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
  12. Fig Tree Pocket Local Plan. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 4 July 2013.
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