West End, Queensland

West End is also the name of a suburb in Townsville. See West End, Queensland (Townsville).

West End Brisbane, Queensland
View down Boundary St towards West End from Dornoch Terrace
Population	6,161 (2004)
• Density
Established	1860s
Postcode(s)	4101
Area	1.9 km2 (0.7 sq mi)
LGA(s)	Brisbane City Council
Federal division(s)	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.

Geography

Geographically, West End is bounded by the Brisbane River to the west and the south. The southwestern 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 is known as the home to Bribane's largest Indigenous Australian community as well as large proportions of Italian, Lebanese, Asian and Greek populations. West End is often noted as being one of the most multi-cultural areas in Queensland and the community is very accepting of others and alternate views. In recent times the growing number of cafes and bars has attracted a younger "chic" or "Hippie" crowd to the area. This appealing style, in combination with West Ends proximity to the University of Queensland, The Brisbane River and numerous parks could conceivably account for the high proportion of students living in the area.

Housing

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/townhouse price in West End for 2005 is $310,000, and the median house price is $490,500.

Economy

Ethnic shops lining Boundary Street

The area's major attraction is its café and restaurant scene, as well as its shopping centered along Boundary Street. It is also known for its high concentration of ethnic and organic grocery stores, which reflect the liberalism of many West End residents. Davies Park on the riverside hosts one of the largest Farmer's markets in Greater Brisbane every Saturday. 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, many factories are now being sold off to make way for designer apartments. This 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 and change the economic make-up of the area.

External links

• West End's Community Newspaper website