Benowa, Queensland


Benowa is a suburb in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is located west of Surfers Paradise.

History

The name was originally derived from the Bundjalung word "Boonow", meaning bloodwood tree. This word was later corrupted by European settlers in search of sugar cane growing on the shores of the Nerang River. The name was perpetualised in 1870 when a pioneer named Robert Muir used the name for his sugar plantation on the northern bank of the river.
In October 1887, 5 subdivisions comprising the Benowa Estate and Plantation on the Nerang River were advertised to be auctioned by James R. Dickson. A map advertising the auction states the Estate was located 4 miles to Southport bound by a good road on one side and bound by the navigable Nerang River on the other side. Extensive buildings and plant for sugar manufacturing were included on the Estate.
The Bundall Provisional School opened on 21 September 1885 on the corner of Ashmore Road and Mediterranean Drive under head teacher Edwin Davies. In November 1900 it was renamed Benowa Provisional School. On 1 January 1909, it was relocated the corner of Ashmore Road and Carrara St and became Benowa State School. In 1965 it was relocated to its present site at Benowa Road.
At the 2011 Census, Benowa had a population of 7,979.

Geography

There are 3 distinct areas to Benowa. Established Benowa located on the northern side of Ashmore Road, Benowa Hills and Benowa Waters. Benowa is attracting a fair amount of attention from renovators with some of the original homes being built around the 1980s, due to its great proximity to Surfers Paradise, and Broadbeach and with so many great facilities within the area. Benowa is renowned for its canals with easy access to the Nerang River.

Demographics

In the, Benowa recorded a population of 8,741 people, 52.6% female and 47.4% male.
The median age of the Benowa population was 43 years, 5 years above the national median of 38.
59.0% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 6.0%, England 4.7%, China 3.1%, Japan 1.7% and South Africa 1.5%.
70.2% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Mandarin 4.8%, Japanese 2.5%, Cantonese 1.6% and Korean 1.4%.
The most common responses for religion were No Religion 28.2%, Catholic 22.9% and Anglican 17.3%.

Education

Benowa State Primary School was opened as a small rural school in 1885. The school continued as rural school until in the 1980s. Current enrolment is 890. School sports include Australian Rules football, touch football, netball, hockey and soccer. The school celebrates its 125th birthday in 2010.
Benowa State High School is known for its French immersion course, which started in 1985.

Amenities

The Gold Coast City Council operates a fortnightly mobile library service which visits Peachey Road.

Sport

Benowa is home to several sports clubs. The Surfers Paradise Australian Football Club are based at Sir Bruce Small Park and compete in the South East Queensland Australian Football League Division 1. The club also plays Cricket in the off season. The Surfers Paradise Baseball Club also play at Sir Bruce Small Park. The Benowa Bowls Club are based at Sir Bruce Small Park also.

Royal Pines Resort

The Royal Pines Resort is home to professional Golf tournaments such as the Australian PGA Championship and the Australian Ladies Masters. The resort also used to host a professional Tennis event named the Mondial Australian Women's Hardcourts on the WTA Tour. The event was moved to Brisbane in 2009. The Tennis facilities are still used by the Australian Fed Cup team to host Fed Cup ties and Bernard Tomic often trains on the courts in the off season.