Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fig Tree Pocket Brisbane, Queensland
Dalton House, Fig Tree Pocket
Fig Tree Pocket Location in Queensland
Population	4,045 (2016 census)
• Density	809/km2 (2,100/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4069
Area	5.0 km2 (1.9 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	13.1 km (8 mi) SW of Brisbane GPO
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Walter Taylor Ward)
State electorate(s)	Maiwar
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 riverside western suburb in the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Fig Tree Pocket had a population of 4,045 people.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world. It is a tourist and education centre.

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 2016 census the population of Fig Tree Pocket was 4,045, 49.9% female and 50.1% male. The median age of the Fig Tree Pocket population was 40 years of age, three years above the Australian median. 66.8% of people living in Fig Tree Pocket were born in Australia, which is very close to the national average of 66.7%. The other top responses for country of birth were England 6.2%, South Africa 4.0%, New Zealand 3.0%, United States of America 1.3%, and India 1.3%. 84.3% of people speak only English at home; the next most popular languages were Mandarin 1.7%, German 0.9%, Afrikaans 0.8%, Spanish 0.7%, and Hindi 0.7%. 47.5% of people aged 15 years and over in Fig Tree Pocket had completed a bachelor's degree or higher, which is significantly more than the national 22.0%. "No Religion" was the top response for religious affiliation, with 31.5% of the population. Catholic and Anglican were the next highest religious affiliations with 22.2% and 15.6% respectively.

Education

Fig Tree Pocket State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at Cubberla Street (27°31′37″S 152°57′56″E / 27.5269°S 152.9656°E / -27.5269; 152.9656 (Fig Tree Pocket State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 486 students with 39 teachers (30 full-time equivalent) and 19 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent).

The Glenleighden School is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at 33 Cubberla Street (27°31′39″S 152°57′48″E / 27.5274°S 152.9634°E / -27.5274; 152.9634 (The Glenleighden School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 99 students with 13 teachers (11 full-time equivalent) and 34 non-teaching staff (28 full-time equivalent).

Brisbane Montessori School is a private primary and secondary (Prep-10) school for boys and girls at Mactier Street (27°31′57″S 152°57′40″E / 27.5324°S 152.9612°E / -27.5324; 152.9612 (Brisbane Montessori School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 177 students with 22 teachers (15 full-time equivalent) and 16 non-teaching staff (6 full-time equivalent).

Fig Tree Pocket also has an early childhood centre and a community kindergarten.

There are no government secondary schools in Fig Tree Pocket. The nearest are Kenmore State High School in neighbouring Kenmore to the north-west and Indooroopilly State High School in neighbouring Indooroopilly to the north-east.

Transport

The area is serviced by two Brisbane Transport bus routes – the 430 and the 445 – both of which have a terminus at Mandalay Park.