Kotara /kəˈtɑːrə/[2] is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, located 9 kilometres (6 mi) from Newcastle's central business district. It is split between the City of Newcastle and City of Lake Macquarie local government areas. Kotara is known as one of Newcastle's largest retail destinations and is characterised by its family centred culture.

Kotara
NewcastleNew South Wales
Kotara is located in the Hunter-Central Coast Region
Kotara
Kotara
Coordinates32°55′55″S 151°41′06″E / 32.932°S 151.685°E / -32.932; 151.685
Population3,929 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density1,640/km2 (4,240/sq mi)
Postcode(s)2289
Area2.4 km2 (0.9 sq mi)
Location
LGA(s)
ParishNewcastle
State electorate(s)Charlestown
Federal division(s)
Suburbs around Kotara:
New Lambton Heights New Lambton New Lambton
Garden Suburb Kotara Adamstown
Garden Suburb Kotara South Adamstown Heights

History edit

The Aboriginal people, in this area, the Awabakal, were the first people of this land.[3]

In the late 19th century the Australasia Coal Company operated a mine near Kotara, in the valley below the present-day northern entrance to Tickhole Tunnel. A private railway connected the screens with the Government line near the present-day triangle junctions north of Broadmeadow. Surveying for the line commenced in 1875 and the line was completed in April 1877. However, only a total of 9,052 tons was ever produced and the company went into liquidation in June 1879.[4]

It was originally designed to create a 'garden suburb' with high quality and quickly grew in population after 1947.[5]

Population edit

In the 2016 Census, there were 3,929 people in Kotara. 87.4% of people were born in Australia and 90.9% of people spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religion were No Religion 33.2%, Catholic 23.7%, Anglican 18.0% and Uniting Church 5.8%.[1]

Commercial area edit

Kotara is a large retail centre of Newcastle.

Westfield Kotara (previously known as Garden City and Kotara Fair) is a large shopping centre on Northcott Drive. Across the road from Westfield is the Kotara Home Centre, consisting of big box department stores and food outlets. Notable retailers include JB Hi-Fi, Dan Murphy's and Bunnings Warehouse.

Education edit

Kotara is home to Kotara South Public School on Rodway Parade and the local Catholic School St James Primary School, located on Vista Parade.

See also edit

Kotara railway station

References edit

  1. ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Kotara (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 9 February 2018.  
  2. ^ "Search By Letter – ABC PRONOUNCE". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  3. ^ "Aboriginal Culture". City of Newcastle. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  4. ^ Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, September 1964 pp161-165
  5. ^ "Kotara".