Nundah (4012)
Located 8 km from Brisbane, Nundah (4012) also previously known as German Station, was settled by German Lutheran missionaries in the 1830s but was mainly rural until the advent of rail in the 1880s. A mission was built in 1838 but closed in 1846. Many of Nundah’s street names recognise these first settlers. Prior to this, it was inhabited by various aboriginal tribes, as indicated by the number of ceremonial bora rings remnant in the area.
Originally a lower socio-economic class suburb, more recently, because of its proximity and easy, regular access to Brisbane CBD, it has seen an influx of single professionals and young families. As a result, its traditional working class cottages have been renovated and extended alongside high-density townhouse and unit developments. Now Nundah has a mix of residential, industrial, commercial and retail with a village type shopping district. There are also several schools and churches of various denominations.
One key local who was very important in the development of German Station was George Bridges who, in 1855, purchased about 65 acres for farming, but realised that with increasing day tripper traffic through Nundah to Sandgate, he had an ideal rest stop location for a hotel which was very successful and continues to this day. He also developed a shortcut in the coach thoroughfare, alongside which he subdivided and sold commercial blocks of land. This evolved into Nundah Village and the major arterial, Sandgate Road, lined with industrial, commercial premises and pubs. With the introduction of rail in 1882, a construction boom ensued and the suburb a favourite of the working classes for its affordable housing on moderately sized lots, proximal to the city. Queensland’s first public housing was constructed in Nundah in 1909.
Construction of Toombul shopping centre increased traffic through Nundah, causing bottlenecks and parking difficulties. As a consequence, shops closed, and Nundah Village fell into disrepute and decline through the 1970s as shoppers avoided Nundah’s unappealing shops, preferring to drive onto Toombul. However, major infrastructure development in 2001 diverted traffic around Nundah which was then subjected to a suburban makeover with art installations and cafes to create a village high street shopping feel so that Nundah has now become popular with young professionals looking for affordable moderate to high density living close to Brisbane. Along with other suburbs proximal to Brisbane, housing values have significantly increased in this suburb.
The Toombul Cricket Club which is now within Nundah is the oldest and one of the most successful sports clubs in Queensland with a strong social following and producing many well-known players of international calibre. Overall, Nundah has produced many notable citizens among them sporting identities, politicians etc. as well as many buildings of historical significance to Queensland. Various parks, memorials and cemeteries mark its original settlers, citizens of note and pay homage to a large number of young male residents who lost their lives during the world wars.
Intersected by major arterial roads, tunnel ways and rail connecting to Brisbane, surrounding suburbs and the Sunshine Coast, Nundah has regular bus and rails services. By incorporating the adjoining suburb of Toombul, Nundah has acquired a major shopping centre with large retailers, a bus interchange and another railway station. Because it is low lying, Schulz canal which runs through Nundah makes it prone to regular flash flooding.
In 2011 about 10500 people lived in Nundah, their average age is 34 years. Nundah is a multicultural suburb, 75% being born in Australia, New Zealand or England with about 8% being from India, Philippines or China. English is spoken primarily at home with Hindi, Mandarin and Punjabi as second languages.
