Googong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Googong Queanbeyan, New South Wales
Googong Location in New South Wales
Population	7,444 (2021 census)
Location	10 km (6 mi) S of Queanbeyan
LGA(s)	Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council
County	Murray
Parish	Googong
State electorate(s)	Monaro
Federal Division(s)	Eden-Monaro
Suburbs around Googong: Jerrabomberra Karabar Carwoola Tralee Environa Googong Yarrow Royalla Burra Yarrow, New South Wales

Googong is a growing town in New South Wales, Australia. It is located south of Queanbeyan, a larger city. Googong is part of the Queanbeyan–Palerang Regional Council area.

The town of Googong includes smaller areas like Fernleigh Park and Little Burra. It is about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) from the center of Queanbeyan. Many people living in Googong also use the services and facilities in nearby Canberra.

Googong's History and Development

Googong is built on the traditional lands of the Ngunnawal Aboriginal people. Several Aboriginal groups have strong connections to this area. European farmers and settlers have also lived here since the mid-1800s.

The town is named after a large farm property. The meaning of the word "Googong" is not fully known. The first part of the original stone farmhouse was built in 1845. It was first lived in by Alexander McDonald.

The area around Googong has interesting historical spots. These include the old London Bridge Homestead and the London Bridge Arch. The arch is a natural limestone bridge formed by Burra Creek over thousands of years. The nearby Googong Dam was built in 1977. It is the largest dam in the ACT region.

Building the Town of Googong

The town of Googong covers about 780 hectares. It is being built by two companies, Peet and Mirvac. Eventually, about 18,000 people are expected to live here.

The area around Googong Dam is called Googong Foreshores. This area is separate from the town. It is managed to protect water, wildlife, and for public recreation.

Planning for Googong started in the early 2000s. The idea was to create a new residential area for Queanbeyan. The plan for building homes was approved in 2009.

Googong will have five neighborhoods, a town center, and four smaller shopping areas. It will also have large open spaces for sports and nature. The developers have promised to build many community facilities. These include roads, a library, community centers, and sports facilities. They are also providing land for public schools and a fire station. The first residents moved into Googong in February 2014.

Fun Events and Arts in Googong

Googong hosts several exciting events throughout the year. These events bring the community together.

Boogong festival attendees

Googfest Music Festival

Googfest is a popular music festival held in Googong. It is organized by the town's developers. The festival started in 2015. It has featured famous music artists and attracts over 10,000 people each year.

Boogong Halloween Festival

Boogong is Googong’s yearly Halloween festival. It features circus acts and other fun entertainment. This event also attracts up to 10,000 people every year.

Rural Fire Service Open Day

The Googong Rural Fire Service Open Day lets people meet local firefighters. They can learn about fire safety for their homes and the region. The day also includes local landcare and wildlife groups.

KiteFest

KiteFest is Googong’s annual kite festival. It takes place on Father’s Day at Rockley Oval. The event often features special kite flyers and other entertainment.

Googong's Community

Population Facts

According to the 2021 Census, there were 7,444 people living in Googong.

• About 49.9% were male and 50.1% were female.
• The average age of people in Googong was 32.
• Many people in Googong are married.
• A large number of people were attending school or university.
• The most common religions were No Religion, Catholic, and Anglican.

Shopping and Services

Googong has a main shopping area called Googong North Village Centre. It has many useful shops and services:

• An IGA supermarket and a liquor store
• A pub called Gorman & Co.
• A café, hair salon, and beautician
• A childcare center
• Domino’s Pizza
• A gym (Club Lime)
• Health services like a GP clinic, dentist, and physiotherapist
• A discount pharmacy and a vet
• A real estate agent and a Community Centre

Plans for a larger Googong Town Centre were announced in 2018. This center will have more supermarkets and shops.

Learning in Googong

Googong has several schools for students of all ages.

• The Anglican School Googong

This school teaches students from early learning up to Year 10. By 2023, it will teach students up to Year 12.

• Googong Public Primary School

A public primary school for Googong was approved in 2018. It is planned to open for students in early 2023. It will be located near the Googong North Village Centre.

• Googong Public Secondary School

A site for a public secondary school has been given to the New South Wales Government. It will be located in Googong Central.

Googong's Green Future

Googong is designed with many features to help the environment.

Water Recycling Plant

Googong has a special water recycling system. It cleans used water so it can be used again. This recycled water is sent through purple pipes. It is used for watering gardens and flushing toilets. This system helps save a lot of fresh drinking water. It will recycle over half of the town's wastewater.

Green Star Rating

In 2016, Googong received a 5-Star Green Star rating. This is a top award for sustainable communities in Australia. It means Googong is built in a very environmentally friendly way. This rating was given because of its water recycling, open spaces, and building designs.

Recycled Roads (Reconophalt)

Googong uses a special road material called ‘reconophalt’. It is made from recycled plastics, glass, and old road materials. This material has been used for netball courts and a car park. The goal is to use it for roads throughout the town.

Protecting Wildlife

Googong helps protect the Pink-tailed worm-lizard. This lizard is a vulnerable species. A special 54-hectare area has been set aside to protect these lizards. It is a fenced conservation area.

Electric Car Charging

Googong will have electric car charging stations in its neighborhoods. This encourages people to use electric cars, which are better for the environment.

Cat Containment Policy

To protect local wildlife, Googong has a cat containment policy. Cat owners are encouraged to keep their cats indoors. Cats are not allowed in public areas that are meant for environmental protection. This includes areas near the Googong Foreshores and the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard Conservation Area.

Parks and Play Areas

Googong has many parks and open spaces for everyone to enjoy.

• Lovegrove Park

This park is for all abilities. It has a large climbing teepee, a slide, swings, and spinners. There's also a covered BBQ area with seating.

• Beltana Park

Located near Club Googong, this park has a big playground with swings, a climbing net, and a slide. It also has a covered BBQ area and toilets.

• Duncan Fields Playground

This playground includes mini trampolines, a half-court basketball court, and a covered BBQ area.

• Rockley Oval Playground

Rockley Oval has a playground with a mini climbing wall and swings. It also has sports fields for cricket and AFL.

• Yerradhang Nguru – Gumnut Playground

The name Yerradhang Nguru means "Gumtree Camp" in the Ngunawal language. This playground has climbing structures and ping pong tables.

• Munnagai Woggabaliri Park

This park has a covered BBQ area and a playground with swings and a spinner. All the equipment is made from timber.

• Dog Parks

Googong has two dog-friendly parks: Barkley Dog Park (which has a pond) and Rockley Oval Dog Park.

• Googong Common

This area has walking and bush trails. It connects several sports ovals. Montgomery Creek, which runs through Googong Common, is being restored.

• Nangi Pimble

Nangi Pimble is the highest hilltop in Googong. Thousands of trees have been planted here to help glossy black cockatoos. A walking trail will lead to a viewing platform at the top.

• Bunyip Park

Opened in 2022, Bunyip Park has a fun bunyip-themed playground. It includes climbing structures, bunyip eggs, and baby bunyip sculptures.

Art in Googong

Googong Entry Sculpture

At the main entrance to Googong, there is a large 7-meter steel sculpture called Terraformis. This artwork celebrates Googong's natural environment. Its design reflects the local rocks and the wings of the threatened Golden Sun Moth.

Public Art Walk

Googong has a public artwork walk with 15 different artworks. You can see sculptures, installations, and historic markers. Even some play areas are designed as art!

Homes in Googong

House Designs

Googong works with 15 different builders. This means there are many house designs to choose from. People can buy land and then choose a house design that fits their ideas.

Display Village

Googong has a large display village with 19 example homes. This helps future residents see different designs and choose a builder. It is located at 12 Courtney Street, Googong NSW 2620.

Sports and Fun Activities

Googong has many places for sports and recreation.

Upcoming Sports Precinct

Googong is building a big sports precinct. It will have:

• Six netball courts
• A BMX track
• An indoor pool and sports center
• A tennis center
• Seven ovals, including an athletics track
• A skate park and a basketball court
• Pitch and putt golf
• BBQ facilities and toilets

Currently, it has five playing fields, three pump tracks, a fitness trail, two tennis courts, and six netball courts.

Club Googong

Club Googong is in the first neighborhood. It has a 25-meter indoor pool and a small gym. It also has an outdoor seating area.

Sports Teams

Googong has three main sports teams:

• Googong Hogs AFL: This is an Australian Rules Football club. They play at Rockley Oval.
• Googong Hogs Netball: They have teams for all ages and play on courts made from recycled materials.
• Monaro Panthers: This is a Premier League Football Club. Players from Googong and nearby areas join this club.

Googong Sports and Recreation Club

A new sports and social club will be built in the sports precinct. It will be home to the Googong Hogs AFL, Googong Hogs Netball, and Googong Monaro Panthers Football clubs. This club is owned by the Queanbeyan Rugby Union Football Club.

Awards and Recognition

Googong has won many awards for its design and development.

• In 2019, it won top awards from the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) for its master-planned community and regional development.
• In 2020, Googong won an award for its marketing.
• It also won the Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB) ACT Development of the Year award in 2020. These awards show that Googong is recognized as a well-planned and successful community.

Images for kids

• 

  1909 map of the Parish of Googong (blue border).

• 

  The Googong Dam.