Belfield, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Belfield Sydney, New South Wales
Belfield Hotel
Population	6,322 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	2191
Elevation	27 m (89 ft)
Location	12.3 km (8 mi) west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Canterbury-Bankstown
State electorate(s)	Canterbury Strathfield
Federal Division(s)	Watson
Suburbs around Belfield: Strathfield South Strathfield South Enfield Greenacre Belfield Croydon Park Lakemba Belmore Campsie

Belfield is a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is about 13 kilometres (8 miles) southwest of the main city centre, known as the Sydney central business district. Belfield is part of the City of Canterbury-Bankstown local government area.

History of Belfield

How Belfield Got Its Name

The name "Belfield" is thought to come from two nearby suburbs: Belmore and Enfield. In 1930, people living here asked for a post office. A postal inspector said it was a "prosperous business section" located between Belmore and Enfield. This is how the name "Belfield" became official for the area.

Early Days and Land Use

Back in 1810, land in this area was given out for farming. This was on the northern side of Punchbowl Road. The name "Punch Bowl" came from a valley where an old road crossed Cooks River. This spot is now where Georges River Road meets Punchbowl Road.

Homes for Soldiers

In 1921, Belfield was one of the first places in Australia to build homes for soldiers who fought in World War I. These homes helped servicemen get back on their feet after the war. After World War II, many more houses were built in Belfield as public housing. Over time, many of these houses have been sold to private owners.

Street Names with a Story

Some streets in Belfield are named after important places from World War I.

• Bazentin Street is named after a town in France where a big battle happened in 1916.
• Persic Street is named after a ship, the SS Persic, which carried Australian soldiers to Europe.
• Mena Street is named after Mena Camp in Egypt, where Australian soldiers trained before the Gallipoli Campaign.
• Birdwood Avenue is named after General William Birdwood, who was a commander during the Gallipoli Campaign.

Changing Borders

The name "Belfield" officially became a suburb name in 1977. Its borders were updated in 1993 and again in 1995. In 2023, a part of Belfield north of Punchbowl Road became part of the nearby suburb of Strathfield South. This area is separated by the Cooks River and Coxs Creek.

First Pizza Hut

Australia's very first Pizza Hut restaurant opened in Belfield in April 1970. It was a popular spot for many years before it closed in 1998.

What's in Belfield?

Belfield has different kinds of areas. You'll find homes, light industrial businesses, and shops. A small shopping area is located along Burwood Road.

Who Lives in Belfield?

According to the 2016 census, there were 6,322 people living in Belfield.

• More than half (56.6%) of the people were born in Australia.
• Other common birthplaces include China, Lebanon, South Korea, Italy, and Greece.
• Many people in Belfield speak languages other than English at home. The most common are Arabic, Korean, Italian, Greek, and Mandarin.
• The most common religions are Catholic, No Religion, and Eastern Orthodox.

Schools and Churches

Belfield has several places of worship. St. Michael's Primary School opened in 1959. There is also a Uniting Church on Punchbowl Road and a Korean Presbyterian Church on Burwood Road.

Sports and Recreation

If you like sports, Belfield has a few options:

• The Belfield Bowling and Recreation Club is a place where people can play bowls. It's near Punchbowl Road and Georges River Road.
• Rudd Park is home to the Belmore Eagles Soccer Club. It also has two tennis courts.
• Cooke Park is the home ground for the Enfield Federals rugby league team.

Shopping and Dining

You can find a small group of shops, restaurants, a post office, and a hotel on Burwood Road. This area is being updated with new shops and apartments. You can also find a pizza bar, a bakery, and a cafe here.