Mount Cotton, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mount Cotton Redland City, Queensland
Mount Cotton from Mount View Road, 2014
Mount Cotton Location in Queensland
Population	7,302 (2021 census)
• Density	171.81/km2 (445.0/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4165
Area	42.5 km2 (16.4 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	14.2 km (9 mi) SW of Cleveland 32.2 km (20 mi) SE of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	Redland City
State electorate(s)	Springwood
Federal Division(s)	Bowman
Suburbs around Mount Cotton: Sheldon Thornlands Victoria Point Priestdale Daisy Hill Mount Cotton Redland Bay Shailer Park Cornubia Carbrook

Mount Cotton is a rural area in the City of Redland, Queensland, Australia. In 2021, about 7,302 people lived here.

The area was settled by German families in the late 1860s. Over time, chicken farms became important. More recently, new homes have been built, making it a growing community.

What is Mount Cotton Like?

Mount Cotton is named after a mountain in the middle of the area. This mountain is about 233 metres (764 ft) tall.

The main road, Mount Cotton Road, runs through the area. It goes from the north-west, past the mountain, and then heads south.

Protecting Wildlife

Mount Cotton is a special place for koalas. It's considered a koala conservation area, which means efforts are made to protect these animals and their homes.

In the west, you'll find the Venman Bushland National Park. This park helps protect a large area of native bushland along Tingalpa Creek.

To the east, there's a wildlife corridor. This is like a natural pathway that connects the mountain to the Eprapah scout environmental site and Victoria Point, following Eprapah Creek. It helps animals move safely through the landscape.

A Look Back in Time

Mount Cotton gets its name from the mountain itself. A surveyor named Robert Dixon gave it this name. He named it after Major Sydney Cotton, who was in charge of the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement a long time ago.

Early Church History

The first St Paul's Lutheran Church (built 1875) in 1931

In 1872, a group of Lutheran people formed a church community in Mount Cotton. Their first church service was held outdoors under a fig tree! Later, they met in a barn.

They bought 10 acres (4.0 ha) of land and built their first church, St Paul's Lutheran Church, in 1875. It was built in a special German style using handmade bricks.

By 1941, the old church was getting old. A new church was built and opened in 1951 on the same spot where the first outdoor service was held. The cemetery next to the old church is still used today and is considered a heritage site.

Schools and Local Government

Mount Cotton Provisional School opened its doors on October 30, 1876. It later became Mount Cotton State School on January 1, 1909. It's interesting to know that some of the students who go to the school today are descendants of the very first students!

The first local government in the area was the Tingalpa Divisional Board, started in 1880. It later became the Tingalpa Shire Council in 1903. The council office was in Mount Cotton. In 1949, this office became the Mount Cotton Community Hall.

Community and Industry

Mount Cotton public hall, 2014

A plan to extend the Cleveland railway line to Mount Cotton was made in 1889, but it was never built.

The Mount Cotton Public Hall officially opened on November 15, 1930. It was a large hall, about 60 by 30 feet (18.3 by 9.1 m).

The first chicken farm in the area started in 1933.

The Mount Cotton Hillclimb, a special motor racing track, opened in February 1968.

From around 1975 to 2018, the Mount Cotton Drama Group put on many plays at the Mount Cotton Public Hall.

Vineyards at Sirromet Winery, 2014

The Sirromet Winery opened in 2000. While some grapes grow in Mount Cotton, most of their grapes come from another area called the Granite Belt. This is because the climate there is better for growing grapes.

Who Lives in Mount Cotton?

In 2011, Mount Cotton had 4,804 people. The average age was 32 years old, which was younger than the national average. Most people (76.8%) were born in Australia. Other common birthplaces included England, New Zealand, and South Africa.

By 2016, the population grew to 6,835 people. In 2021, it reached 7,302 people.

What Does Mount Cotton Do?

Mount Cotton has several chicken farms. One farm on Hillview Road is working on a special power plant. This plant will use biomass (like chicken waste) to create clean energy for the electricity grid. It's designed to provide power for about 7,500 homes each year.

Learning in Mount Cotton

Mount Cotton State School is a government primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. It's located at 1246 Mount Cotton Road. In 2018, the school had 586 students and also offers a special education program.

Places to Visit

St Paul's Lutheran Church, 2014

The Redland City Council has a mobile library service that visits the Mount Cotton Community Park.

The Mount Cotton Public Hall is at 1249-1251 Mount Cotton Road. It's a place where community events are held.

St Paul's Lutheran Church is at 1257 Mount Cotton Road.

Fun Attractions

Sirromet Winery entrance, 2014

Sirromet Winery is a popular spot at 850 Mount Cotton Road. You can see vineyards, learn about wine-making, and enjoy restaurants there.

The Mount Cotton Hillclimb is a motor racing track at 47 Gramzow Road. It's 946 metres (3,104 ft) long and has exciting steep climbs, descents, and tricky turns, including hairpin bends.

Images for kids

• 

  Mount Cotton from Mount View Road, 2014