Rochedale, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rochedale Brisbane, Queensland
Bush along Underwood Road, 2013
Rochedale Location in Queensland
Population	7,633 (2021 census)
• Density	508.9/km2 (1,318/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4123
Area	15.0 km2 (5.8 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	18.9 km (12 mi) SE of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	City of Brisbane (Chandler Ward)
State electorate(s)	Mansfield
Federal Division(s)	Bonner
Suburbs around Rochedale: Mansfield Mackenzie Burbank Wishart Rochedale Burbank Eight Mile Plains Underwood Rochedale South Priestdale

Rochedale (pronounced "roach-dale") is a suburb located in the southern part of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's a growing area with a mix of homes and natural spaces. In 2021, about 7,633 people lived here.

Exploring Rochedale's Location

Rochedale is about 18.9 kilometers (11.7 miles) south-east of the Brisbane CBD, which is the city center. This makes it a good spot for people who want to live a bit further out but still be close to the city.

Public Transport Hub

A large depot for electric buses used by the Brisbane Metro is in Rochedale. This is because it's close to the South East Busway, a special road for buses. The depot is huge, covering 10 hectares (about 25 acres). It even has a one-megawatt solar power system, which means it uses energy from the sun!

Rochedale's Past: A Look at History

The area where Rochedale is now was first explored by people during the time when Australia was a convict settlement. However, the first settlers didn't start farming here until 1865. They found the soil was very rich, perfect for growing crops.

How Rochedale Got Its Name

The name Rochedale comes from the Roche family. They moved to Australia from Ireland in 1860. In 1868, they built a home and called it Rochedale. That's how the suburb got its unique name!

Schools and Community Groups Start Up

Over the years, many important places for the community were built:

• Rochedale State School opened its doors on April 1, 1931.
• In 1956, the Rochedale Scout Group was formed. They built their Scout Den on a piece of land meant for fun activities.
• St Peter's Catholic Primary School welcomed its first students in 1976.
• Redeemer Lutheran College started in 1980 with 56 students. The Premier of Queensland, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, officially opened it. The school later added a middle school (Years 6-8) in 1999 and a junior school (Prep-5) in 2007.
• Rochedale State High School opened in 1983, providing education for older students.

The Rochedale Waste Facility

A waste facility, often called a dump, started operating in Rochedale in 1991. Since 2004, it has been generating electricity from waste. This is a way to turn rubbish into useful energy!

Who Lives in Rochedale?

The number of people living in Rochedale has grown a lot!

• In 2011, there were 1,092 people. The average age was 43 years old. Most people were born in Australia, but many also came from Taiwan, England, and New Zealand.
• By 2016, the population had grown to 3,175 people.
• In 2021, Rochedale had 7,633 residents. This shows how much the area has developed!

Historic Places in Rochedale

Rochedale has some places that are important to its history. These are called heritage-listed sites.

• Native Fern Gardens at 447 Miles Platting Road is one such special place. It's a beautiful garden with native ferns.

Learning in Rochedale: Schools

Rochedale is home to several schools, offering education from primary to high school levels.

Rochedale State School, circa 2021

Rochedale State School

This is a government primary school for students from Prep (the first year of school) to Year 6. It's located at 694 Rochedale Road. In 2018, nearly 1,000 students attended this school. It also has a special program for students who need extra support.

St Peter's Primary School

This is a Catholic primary school for students from Prep to Year 6. You can find it at 955 Rochedale Road. In 2018, about 464 students were enrolled here.

Redeemer Lutheran College

This is a private school that teaches students from Prep all the way through to Year 12. It's located at 745 Rochedale Road. In 2018, close to 1,000 students were learning at Redeemer Lutheran College.

Rochedale State High School

This is a government high school for students in Years 7 to 12. It's at 249 Priestdale Road. In 2018, over 1,300 students attended this high school. It also offers a special education program.

Community Life and Amenities

Rochedale has many groups and places that help the community. These include sports clubs, religious groups, and youth organizations.

Places of Worship

There are several churches in Rochedale:

• St Philip's Anglican Church is at 270 Rochedale Road.
• St Peter's Catholic Church is at 955 Rochedale Road.