Westleigh, New South Wales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids WestleighSydney, New South Wales |
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| Population | 4,501 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2120 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 180 m (591 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 22 km (14 mi) north-west of Sydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Hornsby Shire | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Hornsby | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Berowra | ||||||||||||||
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Westleigh is a suburb located in the Upper North Shore area of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's about 22 kilometres north-west of the main Sydney central business district. Westleigh is part of the Hornsby Shire local government area.
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What's the History of Westleigh?
Westleigh got its name because it is located directly west of Thornleigh. The area started to become a place where people lived in 1967. A big real estate company called Steward Upton helped develop it.
Before houses were built, Westleigh was mostly farmland with many citrus orchards. There were also a few homes on larger plots of land along Quarter Sessions Road. The area used to have a lot of trees. This is why many streets are named after Australian trees. Examples include Stringybark Close, Spotted Gum Road, Eucalyptus Drive, and Ironbark Close.
Westleigh was first a housing area west of Quarter Sessions Road. A small part of land on the eastern side of Quarter Sessions Road was also developed at the same time. This included Gum Blossom Drive and Bottle Brush Road. Even though it was first called Thornleigh West for mail, it got a Westleigh address in the 1980s.
How is Westleigh's Geography?
Westleigh is split into two main parts by Quarter Sessions Road. As you drive along this road, you might notice a sudden change. Houses disappear, and you find yourself surrounded by thick bushland. This dip in the road was built in 1978 to make it safer. The old road, Warrigal Drive, still exists but is not in good condition. It leads to the entrance of an old rubbish dump and the Bushfire Brigade.
What's on the North Side of Westleigh?
The northern side of Westleigh is the "newer" part. It has fewer public places like shops or parks compared to the south side. Houses started being built here in 1977. The old sandstone quarry that was once on the western side of this area is now completely gone due to road construction.
What's on the South Side of Westleigh?
The southern side of Westleigh is the older part of the suburb. Most of Westleigh's public facilities are here. This includes the Westleigh Village Shopping Centre. It has a supermarket, newsagent, chemist, bakery, and other stores. Nearby, you can find a day-care centre, dentist, and a petrol station.
The public primary school, Thornleigh West Public School, is also on this side. It has many fun features for kids. Around 1983, the last parts of the south side were developed. Three new housing areas were built: "Sanctuary Gardens," "Wild Ash Grove," and "Huntingdale." These new homes brought more families to the suburb. This helped increase Westleigh's population.
Parks and Fun Things to Do
Westleigh has two big public parks on the south side.
- Oakleigh Oval is a sports ground. It is home to the Thornleigh Baseball Club and the Thornleigh Thunder Football Club.
- Ruddock Park was named after Max Ruddock, a person who cared a lot about the local bushland. This park used to host "Carols by Candlelight" and outdoor movies in summer. You can find play equipment, public toilets, and barbecue areas here. You can also hire the tennis courts at Ruddock Park. The keys are available at the newsagent in the nearby shopping centre. Around 2005, a fenced area for dogs to play off-leash was added between Ruddock Park and the shopping centre.
In 2018, it was announced that the Westleigh Waterboard area would become a new park. Hornsby Shire Council is providing $40 million for this project.
Shopping in Westleigh
The Westleigh Village Shopping Centre is the main place to shop. It has two supermarkets, Aldi and Mint-Fresh IGA. You can also find a butcher, chemist, bakery, and other special shops there. The shopping centre has been updated a lot since 2016.
Exploring the Surrounding Bushland
Most of Westleigh is surrounded by natural bushland. This means there can be a risk of bush fires sometimes. On the western side of Westleigh, you can find the Great North Walk. This walking track can be entered from different spots in the suburb.
If you walk north along the track, you will reach a water hole called "Fragile Rock" or "Fraggle Rock." It's a fun place for kids to visit. It has a large cliff, underwater tunnels, and small waterfalls. However, it's important to be careful when swimming in any bushland water. Always check for pollution, especially after it rains. Also, be aware of the dangers in the area.
"Refuge Rock" is a large sandstone area in the bushland to the west. Soldiers used it for training before World War II. If you go bushwalking there, you might see marks from mortar fire in the sandstone.
On the eastern side of Westleigh, there's an area of bushland between Warrigal Road and Gum Blossom Drive. This area used to be a council rubbish dump (closed in 1962) and a sewerage dump (closed around 1964). The Sydney Water Reservoir was built here in 1967. This area is often called the 'Waterboard' by locals. Hornsby Council bought 34 hectares of this land in 2015. They plan to turn it into a recreational area with sports fields. The local rural fire brigade also uses this area for training.
Getting Around Westleigh (Transport)
It's easy to get to Thornleigh railway station from Westleigh. CDC NSW provides bus services that can take you to nearby Normanhurst railway station and Hornsby railway station. These stations are on the Sydney Trains Northern Line.
Who Lives in Westleigh? (Demographics)
In 2021, the suburb of Westleigh had 4,501 people living there. Here's a quick look at who makes up the population:
- Age: About 18.9% of Westleigh's population is under 15 years old. The average age in Westleigh is 45 years.
- Ethnic diversity: Most residents (65.0%) were born in Australia. Other common countries of birth include England (5.6%), China (4.8%), and India (2.8%). At home, most residents (75.8%) speak only English. Other languages spoken include Mandarin (6.4%) and Cantonese (2.5%).
Westleigh in Pop Culture
The house used in the famous Australian movie Don's Party was located in Westleigh.
Famous People from Westleigh
Some well-known people have lived in Westleigh. These include actor Mel Gibson (who used to live there), David Speers from ABC News, and Jason Morrison (a radio broadcaster).
