Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland

Fig Tree Pocket Brisbane, Queensland
Dalton House, Fig Tree Pocket
Fig Tree Pocket
Coordinates
Population	3,652 (2011 census)
• Density	870/km2 (2,252/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4069
Area	4.2 km2 (1.6 sq mi)
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Walter Taylor Ward)
State electorate(s)	Indooroopilly
Federal Division(s)	Ryan
Suburbs around Fig Tree Pocket: Chapel Hill Indooroopilly Chelmer Kenmore Fig Tree Pocket Graceville Sherwood Jindalee Sinnamon Park Seventeen Mile Rocks Oxley Chelmer

Fig Tree Pocket is a suburb of the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) south-west of the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River. Within a pocket of the Brisbane River, the suburb is devoted mostly to low density housing. It is an exclusive riverside suburb with large proportion of trees and parks within the area, with low levels of noise pollution. At the 2011 Australian Census the suburb recorded a population of 3,652.

Fig Tree Pocket has some of the most expensive residential properties and exclusive riverfront properties in Queensland and Australia, with one property selling for A$9.5 million and another sold for A$7.15 million in early 2009. A riverfront property sold for $8.25 million at Ningana Street in May 2014 setting a record for the highest price achieved post January 2011 floods.

History

The large fig tree, 1866

The suburb takes its name from the Moreton Bay fig trees (Ficus macrophylla). In 1866, one particular fig tree in the area was photographed and described as able to shelter 400 people. In 1866, a reserve of 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres) was created around the fig tree. The tree no longer exists but the circumstances of its disappearance are not known.

Fig Tree Pocket State School opened on 4 September 1871.

A post office opened in 1878.

Geography

It is noteworthy also for the absence of stores of any kind, with the nearest major shopping complex being the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. Despite this removal from other standard suburban conveniences, the area is serviced by two Brisbane Transport bus routes - the 430 and the 445 - both of which have a terminus at Mandalay Park. The western boundary is marked by the Western Freeway.

Fig Tree Pocket is home to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Fig Tree Pocket State School and also a Montessori school. The Fig Tree Pocket boat ramp is a popular point on the Brisbane River for water skiers to launch from.

Planning and development

Fig Tree Pocket is subject to the Fig Tree Pocket local plan which can be found at Council's website. The suburb is zoned for very low density residential, low density residential and rural housing. Restrictions on multi-unit dwellings apply. The majority of Fig Tree Pocket is rated "low risk" from bushfires.

The suburb was one of many in Brisbane which were affected during the 2010–2011 Queensland floods.

Demographics

In the 2011 census the population of Fig Tree Pocket was 3,652, 50.7% female and 49.3% male. The median age of the Fig Tree Pocket population was 39 years of age, two years above the Australian median. 68.5% of people living in Fig Tree Pocket were born in Australia, similar to the national average of 69.8%. The other top responses for country of birth were England 6.1%, South Africa 3.5%, New Zealand 3.1%, United States of America 1.4%, Scotland 0.9%. 87.7% of people speak only English at home; the next most popular languages were 0.9% Afrikaans, 0.9% German, 0.7% Cantonese, 0.6% Mandarin, 0.5% Italian.

External links

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Fig Tree Pocket