Mansfield, Queensland
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| Year gazetted as a suburb | 1967 |
| Surrounding suburbs | Belmont, Carina Heights, Carindale, Mackenzie, Mount Gravatt East, Rochedale, Upper Mount Gravatt, Wishart |
| Postcode | 4122 |
| Population | 10,062 (as at 30 June 2002) |
| Area | 6.0kmē |
Mansfield is a suburb of Brisbane, Australia, situated approximately 11 kilometres south-east of the CBD. It is located in the region of the city which is coloquially known as the "Bible Belt" due to the large number of people who have settled there to be close to Christian schools and churches. It was named in 1967, after the Queensland governor of the time Sir Alan Mansfield.
The suburb has an agricultural past, consisting mainly of dairy cattle and sheep grazing. Original fencelines can still be found in remaining pockets of bushland. There was also light development of industries related to agriculture, such as wool processing and scouring. Also the quarry once located on Ham and Wecker Roads, excavated large amounts of sandstone used throughout some of the historic landmarks of Brisbane, such as the City Hall.
Large portions of Mansfield were originally constructed as government housing estates, however these have progressively been replaced by more modern private residences. Due the increasing unavailability and expense of land closer to the CBD, the area is currently experiencing a period of socio-economic growth and renewal.
There is a medium-sized industrial estate situated in the northern part of the suburb, in which an Australia Post mail delivery centre is located.
There are three schools within Mansfield: Mansfield State Primary School, Mansfield State High School and Christian Outreach Centre (COC).
Mansfield has regular bus services to the CBD and to the Westfield Garden City Shopping Centre at Upper Mount Gravatt.
Recently reopened, the "Rock Arena" at the Mansfield Tavern was in its heyday a popular venue for touring musical acts and has starred such acts as The Offspring, Hunters & Collectors, Madness, Hoodoo Gurus and The Angels.
Arguably the greatest asset of the Mansfield area is its remaining pockets of bushland and parklands. The largest public park in Mansfield, Broadwater Park, is a reasonably large open space with barbecue areas and children's play equipment. Adjoining this parkland is a large bushland reserve which follows the course of Bulimba Creek (a tributary of the Brisbane River).
The bushland strip gained notoriety in the area during the mid 1990s for a flasher, known as the "naked man". Donning a large coat this man harassed both adults and children using the bushland by exposing his genitalia, before running back into bushland to escape. This man is no longer seen in the area and it is unknown whether the police investigation which ensued at the time captured the perpetrator or just scared him off.
See also: Indecent exposure
External Links
- Mansfield State High School (http://www.mansfielshs.qld.edu.au/mshs/)
References
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (2001). http://www.census.gov.au. Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.
- Brisbane City Council Library Service. BRISbites - Suburban Sites (http://www.brisbites.com/). Retrieved Oct. 20, 2004.