Acacia Ridge is a suburb of the City of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Acacia Ridge is 15 kilometres (9 mi) south of the central business district. It is within the local government area of City of Brisbane. The population in the 2001 census was 6648.
Primarily residential, Acacia Ridge is also known for its heavy industrial area in the suburb's east, occupying much of the suburb's area east of Beaudesert Road. Acacia Ridge is home to one of Brisbane's few ice skating rinks.
History
The name Acacia Ridge derives from the number of Acacia species growing in the area. The suburb was established after the Second World War to house returning servicemen and their families. Many of the original post-war dwellings still stand today.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Acacia Ridge recorded a population of 6,945 people, 50.1% female and 49.9% male. The median age of the Acacia Ridge population was 34 years, 3 years below the national median of 37. 61.6% of people living in Acacia Ridge were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were New Zealand 3.8%, England 2.9%, India 2%, Philippines 1.5%, Vietnam 1.2%. 67.8% spoke only English at home; the next most popular languages were 2% Vietnamese, 2% Arabic, 1.5% Spanish, 1.3% Bosnian, 1.2% Samoan.
Industry
From 1966 until the mid-1980s, Acacia Ridge accommodated one of Holden's main vehicle manufacturing plants, which produced both full-sized and smaller models including the Holden Gemini. When local production of the Gemini ceased the manufacturing plant closed down. The manufacturer remained, retaining a small area of the site for its regional headquarters until the early 2000s, when it relocated to Murarrie. Since closure of the plant, Woolworths occupied the area, utilising its space as a regional distribution centre until recently, when an independent retail grocery chain resumed the site for similar purposes.
On the opposite side of Beaudesert Road from the former manufacturing plant, Toyota has based its southern Queensland regional headquarters. This site is primarily used for managerial and distribution related duties, as opposed to vehicle production.
Transport
Acacia Ridge is home to one of Queensland's largest railway freight yards, dealing with interstate freight and the break-of-gauge from 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) to 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in). In 2008, the Beaudesert Road level crossing was replaced by an overbridge, so that the sidings in the yard could be extended for the shunting of longer 1500m trains. Because space is not available for all potential users of this yard, another hub at Bromelton has been proposed. In 2009, the line between Acacia Ridge and Bromelton was converted to dual gauge to suit a break-of-gauge hub at Bromelton. Acacia Ridge also borders one corner of Archerfield Airport; a small, privately owned airport.
Heritage listings
Acacia Ridge has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: