Highfields, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Highfields Queensland
View over Highfields from Mitchell Road Park, looking west towards Gowrie Mountain
Highfields Location in Queensland
Population	8,131 (2016 census)
• Density	311.5/km2 (807/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4352
Elevation	700 m (2,297 ft)
Area	26.1 km2 (10.1 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	14.9 km (9 mi) N of Toowoomba CBD 143 km (89 mi) W of Brisbane
LGA(s)	Toowoomba Region
State electorate(s)	Toowoomba North
Federal Division(s)	Groom
Localities around Highfields: Meringandan Kleinton Cabarlah Woolmer Cawdor Highfields Spring Bluff Birnam Blue Mountain Heights Ballard

Highfields is a rural town and locality in the Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, the locality of Highfields had a population of 8,131 people. In 2017, it was the fastest growing area in Toowoomba. At 30 June 2019, the estimated resident population for the Highfields was 14,298.

History

The area probably takes its name from the Highfields pastoral run, north of the township. The area was first developed in the 1860s. Initially, there were a number of sawmills in the area, harvesting the local timber. Then the construction of the railway line between Ipswich and Toowoomba (completed in 1867) brought railway workers to the district. As the timber-getters cleared the land, dairy farms were established. The first post office openly briefly in 1866 with a weekly mail service from Toowoomba. It re-opened in 1868 and changed its name in December 1877 to Koojarawon. The Highfields School opened on 17 January 1870 in the Rising Sun Hotel under teacher Mr Larkin. The first school building was constructed in the 1880s. In 1906, the school was renamed Koojarawon.

In 1907 the protests of residents resulted in the both the school and the post office returning to the name Highfields. Another post office in the Highfields area is now the Geham Post Office. Coming into the 1960s, the Highfield remained a rural community with, at one stage, only 9 children enrolled in the school. However, residential subdivision started to occur in the 1960s, to a point where it is now considered a satellite town of Toowoomba. The school is now one of the largest primary schools in the district.

Amenities

A shopping centre called Highfields Village was developed and opened in 2003 that contains a number of community stores, including a hardware store, a baker and a supermarket. A tavern was also opened at the site in 2003. The centre also contains a pizza store, a post office, a bank and a hairdressing salon. In addition to the Highfields Village shopping centre, the Plaza shopping centre was recently redeveloped (2007). It now has a supermarket, newsagency, numerous banks, takeaways and a hair dresser. Also serving the community are a small bundle of shops found on the turn off from the New England Highway to Highfields Road, amongst them include a bakery, a delicatessen, a hairdressers, a real estate agency and an auto parts shop.

Attractions

The Highfields Pioneer Historical Village has an unusual collection of vintage machinery. The Historical Village also has a fully operating blacksmith shop, a Heritage Chapel, an original Toowoomba 1928 Dennis Fire Engine, a two cell lock up short term prison from 1903, Model T Fords, and a collection of restored antique radios and appliances. The Danish Flower Art Centre at Highfields hosts a number of displays including a flower barn, Dutch furniture store and operating blacksmith workshop. The Chocolate Cottage is located at the Village Green which sells antiques, art and other specialty items. Across the road from the Village Green is Jacaranda Manor. Within Jacaranda Manor is a coffee shop, fudge factory and bead store. The Davidson Arboretum on Cawdor Road features temperate deciduous ornamentals and conifers. There is also a Bunya pine.

Recreation

The Cultural Centre is a large venue for conferences and performances. Also located at the Centre is an outdoor public swimming complex with a large indoor arena holding two volleyball and basketball courts and a gym. Just outside this is the Highfields Library; the library is operated by the Toowoomba Regional Council and is open seven days. On the other side of the Cultural Centre is a skate park.

(from left to right) The Highfields Cultural Centre, Aquatic Centre and Library

Development is currently in progress for the Highfields Sport & Recreation Park, which upon completion will include a number of netball courts, multi-use sporting fields, and tennis courts; amenities, picnic areas, and 150 additional car parking spaces are also planned. The first stage of the Highfields Sport and Recreation Park opened in May 2016 with 12 netball courts, Two Football fields plus clubhouses. The second stage is due to commence construction in late 2016 for completion in 2018.

Education

Highfields State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at 10459 New England Highway (27°27′46″S 151°57′21″E / 27.4628°S 151.9557°E / -27.4628; 151.9557 (Highfields State School)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 730 students with 56 teachers (50 full-time equivalent) and 32 non-teaching staff (22 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Toowoomba Christian College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at 10852 New England Highway (27°29′16″S 151°56′57″E / 27.4877°S 151.9492°E / -27.4877; 151.9492 (Toowoomba Christian College)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 697 students with 47 teachers (44 full-time equivalent) and 37 non-teaching staff (29 full-time equivalent).

Mary MacKillop Catholic College is a Catholic primary and secondary (Prep-9) school for boys and girls at 75 Highfields Road (27°27′04″S 151°56′34″E / 27.4512°S 151.9428°E / -27.4512; 151.9428 (Mary MacKillop Catholic College)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 696 students with 51 teachers (46 full-time equivalent) and 38 non-teaching staff (28 full-time equivalent).

Highfields State Secondary College is a government secondary (7-12) school for boys and girls at 10 O'Brien Road (27°26′48″S 151°57′04″E / 27.4466°S 151.9511°E / -27.4466; 151.9511 (Highfields State Secondary College)). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 810 students with 66 teachers (64 full-time equivalent) and 35 non-teaching staff (26 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program. The college is a Bring your own device (BYOD) school.