Bli Bli, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bli BliQueensland |
|||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | 7,801 (2016 census) | ||||||||||||||
• Density | 260.0/km2 (673/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Postcode(s) | 4560 | ||||||||||||||
Area | 30.0 km2 (11.6 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
Location | 9 km (6 mi) NW of Maroochydore | ||||||||||||||
LGA(s) | Sunshine Coast Region, Division 9 | ||||||||||||||
County | Canning | ||||||||||||||
Parish | Maroochy | ||||||||||||||
State electorate(s) | Ninderry | ||||||||||||||
Federal Division(s) | Fairfax | ||||||||||||||
|
Bli Bli is a rural town and locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Bli Bli had a population of 7,801 people.
Geography
A few kilometres inland from the Maroochydore urban area, Bli Bli rises above the wetlands which were, for many years, the home of the Sunshine Coast sugar cane industry. Whilst this industry is all but gone, state government legislation ensures the wetlands will remain an undeveloped "Green Space" (See Qld Plan).
History
The name Bli Bli is believed to be derived from the Kabi word bilai meaning sheoak tree (Casuarina glauca).
Bli Bli Provisional School opened on 2 April 1901, becoming a State School in 1909.
The first Bli Bli Post Office opened by March 1903 (a receiving office had been open from 1898) and closed in 1954. The current Bli Bli Post Office opened on 1 October 1987.
In March 1973, Bli Bli Castle was opened. The Norman/medieval-style castle was built as a tourist attraction. The Castle now houses medieval paraphernalia as well as a large doll display and coffee shop.
Amenities
Today Bli Bli has become a conveniently located residential community, it retains its small-town feel, yet is minutes from Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore, Mudjimba Beach and the Bruce Highway.
Horton Park Golf Club Maroochydore was relocated to David Low Way Bli Bli in May, 2015. The club was renamed Maroochy River Golf Club and has 18 championship holes with a Driving Range.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Bli Bli recorded a population of 6,283 people, 50.6% female and 49.4% male.
The median age of the Bli Bli population was 39 years, compared to the national median age of 37.
79.3% of people living in Bli Bli were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 5.4%, New Zealand 4.2%, Scotland 0.7%, Germany 0.7%, South Africa 0.6%.
93.2% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.5% German, 0.4% Italian, 0.2% Tagalog, 0.2% Japanese, 0.1% Dutch.
Education
Bli Bli State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at School Road (26°36′49″S 153°01′55″E / 26.6137°S 153.0319°E). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 614 students with 45 teachers (35 full-time equivalent) and 29 non-teaching staff (19 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.
Sunshine Coast Environmental Education Centre is an Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre at Sports Road (26°36′23″S 153°02′58″E / 26.6065°S 153.0495°E).
Good Samaritan Catholic College is a Catholic primary and secondary school (Prep to Year 12).