SUBURB PROFILE - NEWTOWN
NEWTOWN's diversity makes it one of the region's most popular suburbs. From boutique shopping and renowned eateries to the peaceful riverside precinct - Newtown's timeless appeal shows no signs of slowing down. There's plenty for families on the move to do and young professionals enjoy easy access to the city and Melbourne highway. Retirees can reap the benefits of a peaceful community dotted with tree-lined streetsand grand historic homes, while investors are consistently benefitting from this blue-chip suburb. Newtown has a great range of primary and secondary schools and community services such as the YMCA and St.Laurence Community Support. The suburb provides plenty of leisure options, with several historic homesteads to explore and the Barwon River, which offers plenty of boating & rowing in summer, as well as walking and cycling tracks. Balyang Sanctury, King Loyld Recreation Reserve and Windmill Reserve are all popular places to get some excercise along with Balyang Golf Course, perfectly located in the heart of Newtown.
WHO LIVES HERE:
POPULATION: 9580
COUNTRY OF BIRTH: Australian born 82 per cent.
BORN OVERSEAS - TOP FOUR: England (2.7%), Germany (0.9%), New Zealand (0.8%), Italy (0.7%)
AGE: Almost 40 per cent of Newtown residents are aged between 25 and 54 years with a median age of 38.
HOUSEHOLDS: In 2006, just over 47 per cent of households in Newtown were couple families with children. A combined average of 67 per cent of homes were either owned outright or were being purchased, while just over 25 per cent were rented.
HISTORY:
* Newtown's first land sale in what was then called New Town, took place in 1839.
* In 1840 Captain Lawler purchased land in the street that now bears the name of his steamer, 'Aphrasia'.
* Newtown became a town in 1924 and a city in 1949. It became part of the City of Geelong in 1993.
Throughout the late 1800's most building activity took place around Noble, Pakington and Fyans Streets. There are hundreds of beautiful Victorian and Edwardian homes in this area. In the 1950's, subdivisions filled up most of the suburb.
Always a desirable area because of its views of the river and city, Newtown boasts some of Geelong's oldestand most valuable properties.
Many of the smaller and simpler homeswere renovated in the 1980's and 1990's.
The population of Newtown and Chilwell peaked at 12,290 in 1996 before prices began to rise.
Historic properties include the Hermitage built in 1859-60 and the National Trust Buildings, The Hieights and Barwon Grange.
Industrial mills were built along the river flats including the first flour mill near La Trobe Terrace in 1845 and a number of woolen mills.
Highland Games held annually at Queens Park began in the 1850's.
IN A FLASH:
- WHERE IS IT? Newtown is an inner Geelong suburb bordered by the Barwon River to the West and South, Aberdeen St in the North and La Trobe Tce to the EAST. It also includes a residentialpocket between Autumn and Aberdeen Streets above Minerva Road. It is the home of many of Geelong's oldest properties.
- POSTCODE: 3220.
- GOVERMENT AREAS: Federal: Corio, State: Geelong, Local: Includes Kildare and Brownbill wards.
- KINDERGARTENS: Four kindergartens or early learning centres.
- CHILD CARE: Four child care centres.
- EDUCATION: Newtown has three private high schools - Sacred Heart College, St Joseph's College and The Geelong College. It is also the home of Newtown, Chilwell and Fyans Park primary schools and St.John's Lutheran school.
- SHOPPING: Chilwell shopping centre has a 'Village' atmosphere with boutique stores offering the unusual and the unique. Fashion, jewellery, travel, children's wear, gifts and homewares can all be found here.
- RESTAURANTS/CAFES: The river end of Pakington Street and Chilwell shopping Centre offers all sorts of restaurants, some opening early for breakfast, others specialising in fine evening dining.
- LEISURE ACTIVITIES: Newtown and Chilwell Criket Club, Geelong Amateur Football Club, YMCA, Rowing, Walking tracks, Indoor Rock climbing, Golf.
