Catherine Hill Bay, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catherine Hill BayNew South Wales |
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Catherine Hill Bay coal loading wharf
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 Catherine Hill Bay
Location in the Hunter-Central Coast Region
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| Population | 943 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 449/km2 (1,160/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2281 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 4 m (13 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 2.1 km2 (0.8 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
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| LGA(s) | City of Lake Macquarie | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | Wallarah | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Swansea | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Shortland | ||||||||||||||
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Catherine Hill Bay is a small coastal village and bay in New South Wales, Australia. It's located on the southern part of the peninsula that forms Lake Macquarie. This village is special because it's the oldest place where people have continuously lived in the City of Lake Macquarie area. The first people to live here were the Awabakal Aboriginal people.
The beach at Catherine Hill Bay is very popular for fun activities. There is also a surf club right by the beach.
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Mining History
Catherine Hill Bay was first settled because of coal mining. Land was bought here in 1865. A town called Cowper was then created in 1873 to support the New Wallsend Company's coal mining. The first coal was shipped out on December 17, 1873.
The village was later named Catherine Hill Bay. This name came from a schooner (a type of sailing ship) called Catherine Hill. This ship got stuck on the shore here in 1867.
Coal Mining Operations
After the New Wallsend Company, the Wallarah Coal Company took over. They mined and shipped coal from Catherine Hill Bay. They also mined from a nearby place called Crangan Bay. Later, the Coal and Allied Group took over these mining operations.
At first, a railway line was used to carry the coal to the wharf. A wharf is a structure built into the water where ships can load and unload goods. Later, trucks and special automated belts were used to load the coal onto ships.
Other Mining
During the 1960s, another mineral called Rutile was also mined from the sand on the beaches. Rutile is used in things like paints and plastics.
Population Growth
The number of people living in Catherine Hill Bay has changed over time.
- In 2016, a census showed there were 162 people living there. Most people (89.3%) were born in Australia. Also, 93.5% of people spoke only English at home. There were 111 homes.
- By 2021, the population had grown quite a lot to 943 people. The number of homes also increased to 404.
Village Development
There have been plans to build more houses in the Catherine Hill Bay area.
- Some people and the local council (LMCC) were against these plans at first. This was because the land was set aside for conservation, meaning it was meant to be protected.
- Environmental groups also said that the natural areas around the village had many different types of wildflowers. Some of these flowers were unique because of the windy coastal conditions.
- In 2009, a court even said that a development agreement was not legal.
However, in 2010, the State Government approved a new housing development. This new area will have 550 houses. It is called Beaches Catherine Hill Bay. This new area is built in a way that it doesn't block the view of the old, historic village.
Special Heritage Sites
Catherine Hill Bay is recognized as a special place with important history. It has been added to the State Heritage Register as a Heritage Township. This means its history and buildings are protected.
Recent Incidents
Sometimes, natural events can affect the village.
- In April 2024, heavy rain caused a retaining wall next to a road to break. This led to a landslip, where a lot of earth slid down. The Lake Macquarie City Council closed the road to cars. They put in temporary fixes and are planning a permanent solution.
- Also in April 2024, a dam on a construction site overflowed after heavy rainfall. This caused nearby roads and properties to get flooded. The police and the SES had to close a main street to keep people safe.
