Cranebrook, New South Wales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cranebrook New South Wales
Sydney International Regatta Centre
Cranebrook Location in New South Wales
Population	15,759 (2016 census)
Established	1804
Postcode(s)	2749
Elevation	40 m (131 ft)
Location	65 km (40 mi) west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Penrith City Council
State electorate(s)	Penrith Londonderry
Federal Division(s)	Lindsay
Suburbs around Cranebrook: Castlereagh Londonderry Londonderry Castlereagh Cranebrook Llandilo Jordan Springs Mount Riverview Penrith Cambridge Gardens

Cranebrook is a suburb of Greater Western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, and is located 50 km radially (65 km by road) WNW of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Penrith. Cranebrook is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.

Cranebrook is surrounded by the rural suburbs of Castlereagh, Llandilo and Londonderry and has come to incorporate the Mount Pleasant housing estate, long regarded as a separate suburb.

History

Cranebrook takes its name from a pioneer farmer, James McCarthy, who was granted 100 acres (400,000 m²) of land in 1804 and named it "Crane Brook farm", after the abundance of cranes in the area. James McCarthy started a cemetery in 1804. After his four-year-old daughter died, he set aside some land to bury her in what became one of the first Catholic cemeteries in Australia.

Cranebrook Post Office opened on 1 August 1886, closed in 1929, re-opened in 1934 and closed in 1957.

Geography

Cranebrook's geography is hilly and so many residents on the western side enjoy views across the Nepean River to the Blue Mountains. Residents on the eastern side enjoy views across the ADI Site, an area rich in Cumberland Woodland and populated with many kangaroos.

In the eastern side of Cranebrook, The Northern Road separates Cranebrook from an area of land known as the ADI Site, around 15 square kilometres in size. Aspects relating to the sale and development of this land have been a strong local political issue. The south side of Cranebrook is bounded by Andrews Road and the north side of Cranebrook is bounded by Smeeton Road. Nearby is McCarthys Lane Cemetery, considered the oldest Catholic cemetery in Australia.

Penrith Lakes

The western side of Cranebrook features the Penrith Lakes Scheme, a series of flooded quarries. The quarries were formed by a quarrying conglomerate in 1979. The site supplies around 75% of Sydney’s sand and crushed aggregate requirements, including about 85% of the materials for ready mixed concrete. One of these lakes is the Sydney International Regatta Centre which hosted the rowing events of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. There is also the popular Penrith Whitewater Stadium which hosted whitewater slalom events for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

It is a popular misconception that these lakes are filled via the Nepean River but they are actually filled via rain water and ground water. When the Nepean River floods, the lakes system can act as a weir. A Penrith Lakes Scheme Concept Plan is currently under review to ensure the site delivers a wide range of environmental, social, cultural and economic values. Penrith Lakes has established a community advisory committee (CAC) which will meet regularly and provide advice to Penrith Lakes on the ongoing planning and development of the lakes scheme.

The lakes were also a film location for Mad Max Fury Road.

Demographics

According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 15,759 people in Cranebrook.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5.2% of the population.
• The median age of people in Cranebrook was 32, younger than the national median of 38.
• 79.5% of people were born in Australia. The next most common countries of birth were England 3.4%, New Zealand 1.7%, Philippines 0.8% and India 0.7%.
• 86.1% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Spanish 0.7% and Maltese 0.6%.
• The most common responses for religion were Catholic 32.3%, No Religion 25.0% and Anglican 20.6%.

Transport

Residents of Cranebrook can access Penrith by travelling south on The Northern Road or Castlereagh Road. The trip by car is about 10 minutes. Residents can also travel to Windsor and Richmond to the north, which are about 10–15 minutes by car. The distance to the Sydney CBD is 65 km and this is best travelled by either driving down The Northern Road to the M4 Motorway or taking a train from Penrith Railway Station. Cranebrook itself has no train station (the nearest station is Penrith); however, the area is serviced by buses which can take residents into Penrith.