Darling Heights, Queensland

Darling Heights is a rural residential locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia.[2] In the 2021 census, Darling Heights had a population of 5,157 people.[1]

Darling Heights
ToowoombaQueensland
University of South Queensland's Toowoomba campus at Darling Heights, 2015
Darling Heights is located in Queensland
Darling Heights
Darling Heights
Map
Coordinates27°36′20″S 151°55′23″E / 27.6055°S 151.9230°E / -27.6055; 151.9230 (Darling Heights (centre of locality))
Population5,157 (2021 census)[1]
 • Density860/km2 (2,226/sq mi)
Postcode(s)4350
Area6.0 km2 (2.3 sq mi)
Time zoneAEST (UTC+10:00)
Location
LGA(s)Toowoomba Region
State electorate(s)
Federal division(s)Groom
Suburbs around Darling Heights:
Drayton Harristown Kearneys Spring
Drayton Darling Heights Kearneys Spring
Finnie Mount Rascal Top Camp

Geography

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Darling Heights lies on the southern edge of the city, on the west ridge. The land falls away steeply to the west toward Drayton, the slope being occupied by detached bungalow housing with an admixture of larger homes, duplexes and small blocks of units. Most of these dwellings are less than 10 years old, the area having previously been mostly horse paddocks, of which few remain. The homes and businesses in the western part of Darling Heights are considered part of Drayton. To the east, the upper valley of West Creek forms the suburb of Kearneys Spring, the western part of which is considered part of Darling Heights by many people. The southern part of the suburb is an area of acreage blocks and small farms. To the north lies the suburb of Harristown.[citation needed]

History

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Darling Heights was named by Queensland Place Names Board on 1 January 1966 with boundaries confirmed on 1 June 1981.[2] The name was originally proposed to be College Heights to reflect the new university college that was being planned for the area, but, when it was expected that the college would be called the Darling Downs Institute of Technology, the name Darling Heights was preferred. In 1992, the institute it was renamed the University of Southern Queensland.[3]

Darling Heights State School opened on 29 January 1980.[4]

Demographics

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In the 2016 census, Darling Heights had a population of 5,192 people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 3.9% of the population. 62.9% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were India 6.8% and Iraq 4.0%. 65.8% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Arabic 5.4%, Telugu 2.7% and Mandarin 2.1%. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 20.2%, No Religion 18.6%, Anglican 11.8% and Islam 9.2%.[5]

In the 2021 census, Darling Heights had a population of 5,157 people.[1]

Education

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Darling Heights State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at Wuth Street (27°35′51″S 151°55′56″E / 27.5974°S 151.9323°E / -27.5974; 151.9323 (Darling Heights State School)).[6][7] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 690 students with 57 teachers (53 full-time equivalent) and 49 non-teaching staff (33 full-time equivalent).[8] It includes a special education program and an intensive English language program.[6][9]

There are no secondary schools in Darling Heights. The nearest government secondary school is Harristown State High School in neighbouring Harristown to the north.[10]

The University of Southern Queensland is a campus in Darling Heights; it was the first campus developed for the university.[3]

Public transport

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Darling Heights is served by the Number 901 Toowoomba City Bus route, which winds through the suburb.[citation needed]

Additionally, the University of Southern Queensland acts as a major terminus, with services to the City, KMart Plaza and Clifford Gardens regularly 9:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.[citation needed]

Despite the Queensland Rail line from Toowoomba to Drayton and southwards forming the western boundary of the suburb, there are no passenger rail services in this area.[citation needed]

Attractions

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  • Ju Raku En Japanese Garden, a 4.5 hectare traditionally designed, Japanese stroll garden.[11]
  • Darling Heights Post Office (at the USQ Campus on the ground floor of W Block)[citation needed]
  • Uni Plaza, a strip mall with a variety of specialist retailers, eateries and services. (Officially in Kearneys Spring as it is on the east side of West Street)[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Darling Heights (SAL)". 2021 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 28 February 2023.  
  2. ^ a b "Darling Heights – locality in Toowoomba Region (entry 47925)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b Clarke, John; McDonald, Alison (2007). USQ : the first 40 years / John Clarke and Alison McDonald. University of Southern Queensland. pp. 3, 5. ISBN 9780909756925. Archived from the original on 8 August 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  4. ^ Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
  5. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Darling Heights (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
  6. ^ a b "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Darling Heights State School". Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  8. ^ "ACARA School Profile 2017". Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
  9. ^ "Darling Heights SS - Special Education Program". Archived from the original on 25 November 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Japanese Garden | University of Southern Queensland". www.unisq.edu.au. 26 May 2023. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
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