Jerrabomberra, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jerrabomberra Queanbeyan, New South Wales
Jerrabomberra Location in New South Wales
Population	9,601 (2021 census)
Established	1988
Postcode(s)	2619
LGA(s)	Queanbeyan
State electorate(s)	Monaro
Federal Division(s)	Eden-Monaro
Suburbs around Jerrabomberra: Harman Queanbeyan West Karabar Hume Jerrabomberra Googong Tralee Environa Googong

Jerrabomberra is a suburb located near Queanbeyan in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia. People often call it "Jerra" for short. The suburb is divided into three main areas: The Park, The Heights, and Lakeview. These areas are separated by a road called Edwin Land Parkway.

According to the 2021 census, about 9,601 people live in Jerrabomberra. This number has grown over the years, from 8,747 people in 2006. The name "Jerrabomberra" comes from a local Aboriginal language. It means "boy frightened by storm."

Jerrabomberra's History

Early Settlement and Land Ownership

The area known as "Jerrabomberra" was once part of the Limestone Plains. In 1827, a man named John Palmer bought this land. He settled there the next year. John Palmer had been a purser (a person in charge of money and supplies) on a ship called the HMS Sirius. This ship was part of the First Fleet, which brought the first European settlers to Australia.

Palmer learned about this land because his brother-in-law, Robert Campbell, owned a property called Duntroon. Duntroon was about 14 kilometers away. Palmer's property became an important center for the Anglican Church. This was before the nearby town of Queanbeyan was fully developed. The Palmer family owned the land until at least the 1890s. Later, the large property was divided into smaller farms.

Developing the Modern Suburb

In 1987, a company called Jerrabomberra Estates Ltd decided to turn Palmer's original land into a planned community. The CEO, Alex Brinkmeyer, wanted to create a new place for people to live. He invited an accountant named Col Alexander and a businessman named Kerry Stokes to join the project. They became shareholders in the company.

The first blocks of land for homes in Jerrabomberra were offered for sale in February 1988. Prices ranged from $28,000 to $39,000. The suburb quickly grew from just 8 residents in 1828 to over 8,740 by the 2006 census. The first homes were built in 1988, and a community center hall was built soon after.

Community Life and Work

Today, Jerrabomberra has many facilities for its residents. These include four tennis courts, a post office, a primary school, a bed and breakfast, a gym, and a Scout group. There is also a lake and other useful services. Many people who live in Jerrabomberra work in nearby Queanbeyan. However, most residents work in Canberra, Australia's capital city.

Local Government and Representation

Jerrabomberra is part of the federal Division of Eden-Monaro. This area is represented in the Australian Parliament by Kristy McBain from the Labor Party. Jerrabomberra is also part of the state seat of Monaro. This seat is held by Steve Whan from the Labor Party.

An active group called the Jerrabomberra Residents Association Inc. (JRA) was formed in 1990. This group works to represent the interests of the Jerrabomberra community. They speak up for the community on issues that affect them at local, state, and federal levels.

Exploring Jerrabomberra's Landscape

The Heights and The Park

The area known as The Heights is mostly located at the base of Jerrabomberra Mountain. This mountain acts as a natural barrier. It separates most of Jerrabomberra from Queanbeyan to the north-east and North Terrace to the north-west.

The Park area is situated on the flat land to the south. This part of the suburb extends down to Jerrabomberra Lake.

Jerrabomberra Lake and Cove Island

Jerrabomberra Lake is an artificial (man-made) lake. It drains into Jerrabomberra Creek. A special feature of the lake is Cove Island, which was created in 1992. Cove Island is also artificial. It has eight homes and a shared community area. This common area includes a tennis court, a swimming pool, and a sauna for residents to enjoy. The urban area then spreads across Cassina Rise to the south.

Population Facts

At the 2021 Census, there were 9,601 people living in Jerrabomberra. Here are some interesting facts about the population:

• About 1.8% of the people were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Most people, 80.5%, were born in Australia.
• The next most common countries of birth were England (3.0%), India (1.3%), and New Zealand (1.3%).
• Most people (85.0%) spoke only English at home.
• Other languages spoken at home included Macedonian (1.5%) and Italian (1.1%).
• When asked about their religion, the most common answers were: No Religion (36.8%), Catholic (27.8%), and Anglican (13.0%).

Education and Childcare

Jerrabomberra Public School opened in 2002. It teaches over 800 students from Kindergarten to Year 6. The school is well-regarded and gets good results in subjects like reading, writing, and math. It is currently expanding its buildings. Jerrabomberra High School also opened recently in 2024.