Rhodes, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RhodesSydney, New South Wales |
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Aerial view of Rhodes and its surrounds
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| Postcode(s) | 2138 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 11 m (36 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 1.0 km2 (0.4 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 12 km (7 mi) west of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Canada Bay | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Drummoyne | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Reid | ||||||||||||||
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Rhodes is a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It is located about 12 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district. Rhodes is part of the City of Canada Bay local government area.
This suburb sits on a piece of land called a peninsula. It is surrounded by Bray Bay and Homebush Bay, which are part of the Parramatta River. Rhodes is also close to Sydney Olympic Park. Since 2016, the Bennelong Bridge has connected Rhodes to the nearby suburb of Wentworth Point.
Contents
Exploring Rhodes: What's There?
Rhodes is divided into three main parts. These sections are separated by the Main North railway line and a major road called the A3 arterial road. Both the railway and the road cross the Parramatta River at Rhodes.
Eastern Rhodes: Homes and Parks
The eastern part of Rhodes is mostly made up of houses and green park areas. You can find many single family homes here. Two streets, Cropley Street and Llewellyn Street, are right next to the Parramatta River.
Central Rhodes: Businesses and Community
The central section of Rhodes is a mix of different things. It has businesses, some houses, and community buildings. This area includes the Rhodes Corporate Park, which has offices for various companies. You'll also find the local fire station and a Coptic Orthodox church here.
Western Rhodes: New Apartments and Shopping
The western part of Rhodes has seen a lot of new buildings. This area used to have chemical factories. Now, it has many modern apartment blocks and the Rhodes Waterside Shopping Centre. There's also a public walkway along the water's edge with small parks. This part of Rhodes is becoming very busy, with many people living there.
A Look Back: The History of Rhodes
Rhodes got its name from an early resident, Thomas Walker. He built a home called Rhodes in the area. He named it after his grandmother's home, Rhodes Hall, in Leeds, England. His house was taken down in 1919.
Over time, factories started to appear in Rhodes. In 1911, a large foundry was built to make iron pipes. Later, from the 1930s to the 1980s, the western part of Rhodes became a hub for chemical manufacturing. Companies like Berger Paints and Union Carbide had factories here.
In 2010, the local council approved plans for even more buildings in western Rhodes. This means the area will have a very high population density, with many people living in apartments.
Cleaning Up the Land: Major Remediation
Because of the old factories, much of the land on the western side of Rhodes needed a big cleanup. This process is called remediation. The soil and even some parts of Homebush Bay were contaminated with chemicals.
A lot of work was done to remove these chemicals. This included digging up contaminated soil and treating it. The cleanup of the former Union Carbide site and other areas was a huge project. It was finished in February 2011. Now, new apartments and shops stand where the factories once were.
Historic Places in Rhodes
Rhodes has some important historical sites:
- Meadowbank Rail Bridge over Parramatta River: This railway bridge is a heritage-listed structure.
- Rhodes railway station: The station building itself is also listed for its historical value.
Getting Around: Transport in Rhodes
Rhodes_Railway_Station.jpg)
Rhodes has several ways to get around, making it easy for residents to travel.
Trains: Rhodes Railway Station
Rhodes railway station is on the T9 Northern Line of the Sydney Trains network. A train ride to the Sydney central business district takes about 30 minutes.
Buses: Local Services
Bus services run along Concord Road and Rider Boulevard. There is also a special Baylink Shuttle that helps people get around locally.
Roads and Bridges
The Ryde Bridge connects Rhodes to Ryde across the Parramatta River. Rhodes is also on a major north-south road, the A3. It's close to other main roads that go east and west, like Victoria Road and the M4 Western Motorway.
Bennelong Bridge: Connecting Suburbs
The Bennelong Bridge opened in May 2016. It crosses Homebush Bay and connects Rhodes to Wentworth Point. This bridge is for buses, emergency vehicles, cyclists, and people walking. It has made travel between the two suburbs much easier.
Cycleways: Paths for Bikes
Rhodes has many paths for bikes and walkers. These cycleways run through streets like Llewellyn and Walker Streets. You can also find shared paths along the Homebush Bay foreshore. These paths connect to a larger network, allowing cyclists to travel to places like Parramatta. The John Whitton Bridge, an old railway bridge, also has a path for bikes and pedestrians.
Future Plans: Proposed Ferry Wharf
There have been plans to add a ferry wharf in Rhodes for ferry services. This would offer another way to travel by water. The project is still being planned.
Shopping and Business in Rhodes
Rhodes is a busy place with many shops and businesses.
Shopping Centres
The suburb has major shopping centres like Rhodes Waterside. This centre includes popular stores like IKEA, ALDI, Coles Supermarkets, and Kmart. It also has a cinema. Another centre, Rhodes Central, has a Woolworths Supermarkets and McDonald's.
Office Buildings
Many large companies have offices in Rhodes. The Rhodes Corporate Park, for example, is home to businesses like Citibank and Nestle. These offices provide many jobs in the area.
Where People Live: Residential Areas
The eastern side of Rhodes mainly has smaller homes, usually one or two storeys high. However, the western side of Rhodes is very different. It has many tall apartment buildings, often four to eight storeys high. This area is designed for high-density living, meaning many people live close together. When all the new buildings are finished, over 11,000 people are expected to live in western Rhodes.
Community Life in Rhodes
Rhodes has a strong community spirit.
Fire Station
The Rhodes Fire & Rescue NSW station is special because it's one of the few in inner Sydney still staffed by paid volunteers. This fire brigade has been serving the community for over 90 years.
Scouts and Sailing
The First Yaralla Sea Scouts have a hall near Ryde Bridge. This is where young people can learn about scouting and water activities. Dragon boat paddling also takes place from this site. The Concord Ryde Sailing Club used to be in Rhodes but moved to a new location.
Community Centre and Schools
The Rhodes Community Centre is located in the old Rhodes Primary School building. It serves as a place for community activities. Most primary school children in Rhodes now go to schools in nearby suburbs. There is also a Coptic Orthodox church in Rhodes.
Community Groups
Groups like the Rhodes Residents Association and the Rhodes Peninsula Group work to represent the community. They help make sure residents' interests are heard, especially regarding local development and services.
Who Lives in Rhodes? Demographics
Rhodes is a diverse suburb with a growing population.
- Age: The people living in Rhodes are generally younger than the average for Australia. The median age is 32 years. Many residents are between 20 and 29 years old.
- Background: While some people were born in Australia, many residents come from other countries. The most common countries of birth include China, South Korea, and India. Many different languages are spoken at home, with Mandarin, Korean, and Cantonese being common.
- Income: Households in Rhodes tend to have a higher weekly income compared to the national average.
- Homes: Most homes in Rhodes are flats or apartments. Only a small number are separate houses.
The Parramatta River at Rhodes
The Parramatta River near Rhodes is generally safe for activities like sailing. Rowing crews often train here in the mornings and afternoons. You can sometimes see sailing from the Concord and Ryde Sailing Club. Dragon boating is also popular. There are boat ramps available for launching boats.
It's important to know that fishing is not allowed in all of Homebush Bay, including from Rhodes. This is because of past contamination.
Future Plans: Wentworth Point Marina
There are plans for a large boat storage facility and other boating services at Wentworth Point, across the bay from Rhodes. This could offer more options for boat owners in the future.
Fire Protection
The Rhodes community is protected by the Rhodes, Concord, and Ryde Fire Brigades. The Rhodes Fire Brigade is one of the few remaining "Retained" (paid volunteer) Fire Brigades in inner Sydney.
Parks and Green Spaces
Rhodes has several beautiful parks along the water's edge. These include McIlwaine Park, King George V Park, and Brays Bay Reserve. These parks are great places for outdoor activities and enjoying the views.
Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway
The Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway is a special path that connects Brays Bay Reserve to Concord Hospital. It is a memorial to the soldiers who fought and died on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea during World War II. It's a place for reflection and remembrance.
Rhodes also has a foreshore path and cycleway that connects to a larger network of parks and paths across Sydney.
Images for kids
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Remediation by soil desorbtion and incineration
