Runcorn (4113)
Runcorn is a suburb on the south side of Brisbane, Queensland, and is about 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Brisbane’s central business district. Beenleigh and Warrigal Roads both run through the suburb and are the primary links towards inner city Brisbane and beyond. Much of the suburb is bordered by Bulimba Creek, with the secondary source for the creek found within the suburb. Initially, Runcorn was rural farmland with small fruit, vegetable, chicken and dairy farms, but when rail was extended into the area in 1885, settlement followed with the establishment of a bone million 1886, and the opening of the first school in 1901. Electricity was available in 1933, another railway station was opened in 1935, and during World War II, it was a base for the American Army. In the 1960s, Runcorn underwent rapid development, followed by a second population spurt in the 1990s.
Remnants of Runcorn’s heritage persist today. The bone mill which became a tourist attraction in the 1880s, was damaged by storms in the 1890s, was used by the American army during World War II, then converted to a sawmill and finally became a foundry. Warrigal Farm founded in 1911 continues as does The Progress Hall built in 1926 and used extensively over the years for dances, fundraising and social activities, church services, and now by a variety of community groups.
Runcorn is well serviced by three schools, several shopping centres, numerous parks and playing fields which support a range sporting and recreational activities from picnicking, walking, cycling, basketball, cricket, baseball, horse riding, and football. It is also easily accessible to Brisbane and surrounding suburbs via major arterial roads, and regular bus and rail services.
Runcorn’s residents are from a diverse range of nationalities and economic backgrounds with the lower rents attracting those on lower incomes and unemployed. In 2011, about 14000 people lived in Runcorn, their average age being 31 years. Many were born overseas in countries such as India, China, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Korea so that Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Punjabi, and Mandarin were spoken alongside English at home.
