Sippy Downs, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sippy Downs Sunshine Coast, Queensland
University of the Sunshine Coast, 2019
Sippy Downs Location in Queensland
Population	11,544 (2021 census)
• Density	796.1/km2 (2,062/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4556
Area	14.5 km2 (5.6 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	5.4 km (3 mi) S of Buderim CBD 18.0 km (11 mi) NW of Caloundra CBD 93.6 km (58 mi) N of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region
County	Canning
Parish	Mooloolah
State electorate(s)	Buderim
Federal Division(s)	Fisher
Suburbs around Sippy Downs: Buderim Mountain Creek Parrearra Tanawha Sippy Downs Parrearra Palmview Palmview Warana Meridan Plains

Sippy Downs is a suburb located in the Sunshine Coast Region of Queensland, Australia. It is part of the larger Buderim area. In 2021, about 11,544 people called Sippy Downs home.

About Sippy Downs

Where is Sippy Downs?

Sippy Downs is a part of the Buderim urban area. It includes a housing area called Chancellor Park. It is also home to the newest university in Australia, the University of the Sunshine Coast. Before it was developed, this area had coastal forests and flat lands.

A Look Back in Time (History)

How Sippy Downs Got Its Name

The name 'Sippy' comes from an Aboriginal word, Dhippi or Jippi. This word was used for "winged creatures." It is believed to mean a "place of birds."

From Farms to a Suburb

In the 1860s, Sippy Downs was part of a large farming area called Moolooloo Plains. This land was leased by John Westaway & Sons. Later, in 1870, the land became available for new leases.

It was not used again until 1938. Then, it was leased until 1957. After that, Alfred Grant bought the land. A part of it was sold to Frank Cunning, who raised cattle there. In 2002, the INVESTA property group bought the land. Even as the area was being planned for houses, cattle were still grazing there.

Sippy Downs officially became a suburb in 1993. This happened after the Shire of Maroochy decided to change the land use. Sugar cane farms continued to operate here until 2003. The last one was owned by Bundaberg Sugar.

Schools and University Beginnings

Many schools and a university have opened in Sippy Downs over the years:

• Harmony Montessori School started in 1995 with only 13 children. It was later renamed Alcheringa Montessori College. In 2015, the school moved and became Montessori International College.
• Siena Catholic College opened in 1997. It started with 98 students in Year 8. The college is named after St Catherine of Siena.
• Chancellor State School opened in 1997 for primary students. In 2004, it added secondary education. It was then renamed Chancellor State College.
• Siena Catholic Primary School opened in 2001. It is right next to Siena Catholic College.
• The University of the Sunshine Coast opened in 1996. It began with 542 students. Planning for the university started in 1994.

Who Lives Here? (Population)

In 2016, Sippy Downs had a population of 10,298 people. By 2021, this number grew to 11,544 people.

A Hub for New Ideas (Economy)

Sippy Downs is known as a 'Knowledge Hub' by the Queensland Government. This means it is planned to be a "university town." It aims to have over 6,000 workers in businesses that focus on knowledge and new ideas.

Learning in Sippy Downs (Education)

Sippy Downs has several schools and a university:

• Siena Catholic Primary School is for students from Prep to Year 6. It is located at 58 Sippy Downs Drive. In 2018, it had 624 students. 26°42′57″S 153°03′26″E / 26.7158°S 153.0573°E / -26.7158; 153.0573 (Siena Catholic Primary School)
• 

  Chancellor State College (primary campus on left, secondary campus on right), 2019
• Chancellor State College is a government school. It teaches students from Prep to Year 12. The school has two campuses. The primary campus is on Scholars Drive. The secondary campus is on Sippy Downs Drive. In 2018, it had 2,975 students. It also has a special education program. 26°43′17″S 153°03′34″E / 26.7213°S 153.0594°E / -26.7213; 153.0594 (Chancellor State College (primary campus)) 26°42′53″S 153°04′06″E / 26.7146°S 153.0683°E / -26.7146; 153.0683 (Chancellor State College (secondary campus))
• Siena Catholic College is a Catholic secondary school. It is for students from Year 7 to Year 12. It is located at 60 Sippy Downs Drive. In 2018, it had 908 students. 26°42′58″S 153°03′24″E / 26.7160°S 153.0568°E / -26.7160; 153.0568 (Siena Catholic College)
• The University of the Sunshine Coast is at 90 Sippy Downs Drive. 26°43′04″S 153°03′45″E / 26.7177°S 153.0625°E / -26.7177; 153.0625 (University of the Sunshine Coast)

Local Services (Amenities)

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council offers a mobile library service. This library visits the Chancellor Park Marketplace on University Way.