Darra is an older Brisbane suburb located about 14 kilometres southwest of Brisbane central business district. It is known for its high migrant population. The first subdivisions in the area occurred in 1864.
The houses are mainly of the Queenslander style built in the 1940s and 1950s. The majority of blocks in Darra are large enough to be subdivided, which is becoming popular in the suburb, hence making room for more modern homes. In the last few years, a property developer bought a vast tract of vacant, government land. As a result, there are now many new homes and townhouses built in Darra, which has increased its population and its geographical boundaries.
Surrounding suburbs include Seventeen Mile Rocks, Oxley, Sinnamon Park, Sumner, Richlands, Jamboree Heights and Mount Ommaney.
History
In 1954, the Darra RSL Memorial Hall was opened. Sumner was known as Darra until 1969 when it became a separate suburb. Vietnamese refugees began to settle in the area in 1975. The origin of the word Darra came from the Aboriginal word for 'stones'.
Transport
Darra railway station provides access to regular Citytrain services to Brisbane CBD, Ipswich, Rosewood and Springfield. The Darra railway station is the name given to the suburb it came to serve. As the railway was built through the area a stop was allocated at a distance of "nine miles forty four chain", halfway between the planned Oxley railway station and Wacol railway station. The station was one terminus for the first of Brisbane's electric rail lines, linking to Ferny Grove railway station in 1979.
The Centenary Freeway and the Ipswich Motorway provide access to the Brisbane CBD. There are also buses that travel to surrounding suburbs such as Inala and Mount Ommaney.
Schools
Darra has two primary schools, one state and one Catholic private school ('Darra State School' and 'Our Lady of the Sacred Heart') . Both occupy blocks fronted by Darra Station Rd and Scotts Rd, and both are conveniently located near the railway station. Because the suburb has two primary schools, it is becoming more popular with younger families moving to the area.
Urban planning
Overall plans include the further redevelopment of the industrial park, which should provide an injection of capital into the community and further upgrade local infrastructure and community facilities. The Brisbane City Council has been active in rejuvenating the streetscapes of the Darra suburb as well as neighbouring recreational and parkland facilities in Jindalee and Sinnamon Park.
Demographics
In the 2011 census, Darra recorded a population of 3,838 people, 48.2% female and 51.8% male. The median age of the Darra population was 32 years of age, 5 years below the Australian median. 48.1% of people living in Darra were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were Vietnam 15.8%, New Zealand 3.4%, India 2.9%, Philippines 2%, Samoa 1.2%. 45.1% of people spoke only English at home; the next most popular languages were 23.1% Vietnamese, 4.1% Arabic, 2.2% Samoan, 1.3% Tagalog, 1.3% Spanish.