Peninsula
West End, Hill End, South Brisbane, and Highgate Hill nestle
in a loop of the Brisbane River close to the CBD, and are some
of Brisbane’s oldest, most densely populated, and most
interesting suburbs. Traditionally home to indigenous people,
the working class, migrants, students and activists, it is characterised
by:
Cultural diversity
The West End Peninsula’s largest cultural communities
are from Aboriginal, Greek, Italian, Lebanese and Vietnamese
backgrounds. Almost one quarter of residents speak a language
other than English at home, and West End State School has pupils
from 48 language backgrounds
Socio - economic diversity
2 in 5 residents of West End are from a low-income bracket,
and approximately 45% of the peninsula’s population lives
in rental accommodation.
Structural diversity
The West End Peninsula mixes residential, industrial, commercial,
educational, cultural and recreational facilities and activities
in a compact area. This urban form encourages and supports residents
to live, work and play in the neighbourhood, and contributes
to the peninsula’s strong social fabric and village feel.
The built environment extensively features “tin and timber”
houses, significant to Brisbane’s architectural heritage.
Lifestyle diversity
The area has a history, particularly since the 1970s, of community-based
and self-managed initiatives in community learning, community
arts and culture and local production (examples?).
The area also features a high level of innovative and alternative
commercial activity: Reverse Garbage, Bicycle Revolution, Zapata’s
Bookshop, Bent Books, Green Grocer, True Foods, Mondo Organics,
Trash Video, Green Flea Markets, Justice Products, West End Housing
Co-op, MECU Ltd.
Links
This lively mix has contributed to a flair not found elsewhere
in the city, and has made the area attractive to potential homebuyers,
as well as developers capitalizing on the recent property boom.
