Australia

Queensland

Ferny Grove

Keeping It Wet

Interesting facts about Ferny Grove

Ferny Grove is a recently developed residential suburb in north-west Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It lies entirely within the Brisbane-metropolitan area administered by the Brisbane City Council.

Area Profile

The size of Ferny Grove is approximately 4 km². It has 8 parks covering nearly 13% of the total area. There are three schools and one childcare centre. The population in 1996 was 5,016 people. By 2001 the population was 6,011, with a population growth of 20%. The predominant age group is 10 - 19 years. Households primarily contain children with couples who are likely to be repaying between $800.00 - $1000.00 per month on mortgage. In general, people work as clerks. In 1996, 75% of homes were owner-occupied, compared to 75% in 2001. The median sale price of houses is $381,500 (6/1/2007).

History

Before the Second World War, Ferny Grove was mainly known for its pleasant picnic grounds along the banks of Kedron Brook and large areas of forest and fern filled valleys, one of which gives the suburb its name.

Before large-scale residential development, Ferny Grove was primarily industrial, containing a large claypit and tile factory operating south of the railway station. When this factory ceased operation in the 1960s[specify], Ferny Grove was redeveloped for housing.

After the war, while the area was still largely residentially undeveloped, the Brisbane City Council operated a nightsoil sanitation depot beside Cedar Creek. The depot closed in the late 1960s[specify] as more of Brisbane was laid with sewerage infrastructure and the need for nightsoil treatment ended. After lying vacant for some years, the depot was leased by the Council to the Brisbane Tramway Museum Society, and is now the home of the Brisbane Tramway Museum.

The City Council continued to use the area south of the former nightsoil depot as a large refuse tip until the late 1980s[specify]. Ironically, the ferny grove from which the suburb took its name is no longer there; for, situated at the present site of rubbish dump 40 years old, the grove was buried under a large hill, upon which the City Council now operates a waste transfer station and sports playing fields.