Werrington Downs, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Werrington Downs Sydney, New South Wales
Werrington Downs Location in New South Wales
Population	3,264 (2011 census)
• Density	2,994/km2 (7,750/sq mi)
Established	1976
Postcode(s)	2747
Elevation	47 m (154 ft)
Area	1.09 km2 (0.4 sq mi)
Location	52 km (32 mi) west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	City of Penrith
State electorate(s)	Londonderry
Federal Division(s)	Lindsay
Suburbs around Werrington Downs: Cambridge Gardens Jordan Springs Jordan Springs Cambridge Gardens Werrington Downs Werrington County Cambridge Park Cambridge Park Werrington County

Werrington Downs is a friendly suburb located in Western Sydney, Australia. It's about 52 kilometers west of the main city center of Sydney. This area is part of the City of Penrith and is a great place to live in the wider Greater Western Sydney region.

History of Werrington Downs

Aboriginal History

Long before European settlers arrived, the land where Werrington Downs now stands was home to the Mulgoa people. They were part of the wider Darug language group. These people lived by hunting animals like kangaroos and emus and gathering plants such as yams and berries. Their homes were simple bark huts called 'gunyahs'. They followed traditional laws and stories that came from the Dreamtime, which is a very important part of their culture. Sadly, after the First Fleet arrived in Australia in 1788, a sickness called smallpox spread. This made it very hard for the local Aboriginal communities.

European Settlement

The first European land grant in this area was given in 1831 to Phillip Parker King. He was the son of Governor Phillip Gidley King. This land later became part of the Werrington estate, owned by his sister Mary Lethbridge. It was used as a farm until the 1880s when parts of it started to be divided into smaller blocks. However, most of the houses we see today weren't built until the 1970s. The suburb officially got its name, Werrington Downs, in 1976.

Who Lives in Werrington Downs?

Based on information from the 2011 Census, most people in Werrington Downs have Australian (34.7%) or English (29.2%) backgrounds. Other common backgrounds include Irish (7.7%), Scottish (5.5%), and German (2.4%). A large number of residents, about 81.6%, were born in Australia. The average weekly income for a household here was $1,725.

People in Werrington Downs work in many different jobs. The most common jobs are:

• Clerical and Administrative Workers (18.9%)
• Technicians and Trades Workers (16.6%)
• Professionals (12.7%)
• Sales Workers (10.6%)
• Community and Personal Service Workers (10.5%)

Getting Around Werrington Downs

Werrington Downs has one main bus route, number 782, run by Busways. This bus connects Penrith and Werrington Railway Stations. It starts at St Marys Interchange, travels along Trinity Drive and Pasturegate Avenue in Werrington Downs, then goes into Werrington County before reaching Penrith.

Local Facilities and Shops

The suburb has a local neighborhood center, which is a place for community activities. There is also a preschool for younger children. Werrington Downs is well-known for its large open spaces and park areas. These "reserve areas" are perfect for playing sports and other fun outdoor activities. For shopping, residents usually go to the shops located in Werrington County along Dunheved Road.

How Werrington Downs is Governed

Werrington Downs is part of a system of government that helps run the area.

Local Government

At the local level, Werrington Downs is part of the north ward of Penrith City Council. The council helps manage local services like parks, roads, and rubbish collection. The Mayor of Penrith, Ross Fowler, represents the area.

State Government

For state-level decisions, Werrington Downs is part of the Electoral district of Londonderry. This area is represented by Prue Car, who is a member of the Labor Party. State government deals with things like schools, hospitals, and public transport.

Federal Government

At the national level, Werrington Downs is part of the Division of Lindsay. This area is represented by Melissa McIntosh, who is a member of the Liberal Party. The federal government handles bigger issues like national defense, taxes, and immigration.