Population 4,977 (2011 census) LGA(s) Bayside Council Hillsdale Maroubra Postal code 2036 | Postcode(s) 2036 State electorate(s) Maroubra Area 70 ha | |
Location 6 km (4 mi) south-east of Sydney CBD Federal division Division of Kingsford Smith | ||
Hillsdale is a suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Hillsdale is located 6 kilometres south-east of the Sydney central business district in the Bayside Council. The post code is 2036.
Contents
Map of Hillsdale NSW 2036, Australia
Description
Hillsdale is a residential area surrounded by the suburbs of Eastgardens, Maroubra, Matraville and Banksmeadow.
Hillsdale has a shopping centre called Southpoint on Bunnerong Road, which is a high-rise complex with commercial and residential space (including 50m swimming pool and tennis courts) and is opposite the road of the large Heffron Park. Southpoint is anchored by Trade Secret, Coles, Woolworths and a large Australian Post office and contains a camera store, Queen Jewellery, BWS (liquor retailer), Bread Barn Bakery, Red Dollar, Discount Drug Store, TGS tobacco store, a children's playground, massage centre and health clinic, Farmer John's fruit market, a kebab shop and Chinese takeaway, a newsagents, Eyecare Kids, a nail salon, a hairdressers, Campbells Tender Meats butchers, a chook store, Mr Espresso cafe and a Car Wash.
Southpoint Centre is managed by Ray White and has a small strip mall to the south which includes a Subway franchise, Summit Cycles and a DIY store.
Heffron Park, at 44 hectares it is the largest sporting reserve in Randwick City. A range of sports are played in the park through winter and summer including netball, rugby league, soccer, touch football, oz tag, cricket, cycling, tennis and gymnastics. Located on the south-east corner of the park is the Des Renford Leisure Centre, a local government enterprise.
The park is also very popular with local residents for walking, jogging and cycling. The Hensley Athletic Field is located on Wentworth Avenue, close to Botany and the Westfield Eastgardens shopping centre. Matraville Public School is located in Hillsdale at the corner of Bunnerong and Beauchamp Roads.
History
Hillsdale was part of the suburb of Matraville until the 1960s. Matraville was originally reserved for the Church and Schools Corporation with income generated intended to support clergy and teachers. It reverted to the crown in 1917 and was allocated for a settlement for soldiers returning from World War I. The suburb was split between Randwick and Botany Councils. When problems arose from the division in 1961, Botany Council decided to rename its portion Gilmore, to honour Australian poet Dame Mary Gilmore (1864–1962). After the post masters general office pointed out that there already was a Gilmore, New South Wales, the council chose Hillsdale to honour Patrick Darcy Hills, who was the New South Wales minister for local government. It was a controversial choice since most residents believed that a name should have been chosen that reflected Australia's history.
Many homes were built in Hillsdale after World War II including some by the Housing Commission.
Population
At the 2011 census, there were 4,977 residents in Hillsdale. The majority of people were born inside Australia, with the top other countries of birth being Bangladesh 9.6%, China 5.1%, Iraq 3.8%, Philippines 3.2% and India 2.8%. Most people spoke a language other than English at home. These other languages included Bengali 9.4%, Spanish 5.0%, Cantonese 4.9%, Assyrian Neo-Aramaic 4.3% and Mandarin 3.6%. The top responses for religious affiliation were Catholic 28.2%, Islam 15.3% and No Religion 14.7%. The majority of dwellings were units or apartments and there were few separate or semi-detached houses in the suburb.
Education
Matraville Public School is a primary school in Hillsdale, drawing its students predominantly from the surrounding suburbs of Hillsdale, Banksmeadow and Matraville. In 2007 the school had approximately 300 students from kindergarten to Year 6. The school opened as Cross Road Public School in 1903, named after the school's location at the intersection between Beauchamp and Bunnerong Roads. It was renamed as Matraville Public School in 1904.
The closest high schools are South Sydney High School in Maroubra, Matraville Sports High School in Chifley, and Marist College Pagewood in Maroubra.
Housing
Housing in Hillsdale is divided fairly evenly between single-storey, detached homes, and blocks of home units. The latter are typically brick buildings of three to four storeys; there is no high-rises besides Southpoint. More than half the households in Hillsdale are rented, significantly higher than the Sydney average.