Carrington, New South Wales

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Carrington
Newcastle, New South Wales

Carrington Hydraulic Power Station, built in 1877 is its most significant landmark.

Population:

1791 (2006 census)

Established:

1860s

Postcode:

2294

Area:

1.4 km² (0.5 sq mi)

Property Value:

AUD $275,000

Location:

3 km (2 mi) NNW of Newcastle

LGA:

City of Newcastle

Parish:

Newcastle

State District:

Newcastle

Federal Division:

Newcastle

Suburbs around Carrington:
Tighes Hill	Tighes Hill
Maryville	Carrington	Hunter River
Wickham	Newcastle West

Carrington is a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia and is named after Lord Carrington, governor of N.S.W. in 1887 when the area was proclaimed a municipality.^[1]

1 Origins
2 Today
3 Gallery
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Origins

Carrington was known by Aboriginal people as the place of the mud crab "wuna-r tee". Early land use by Aboriginals was for fishing and gathering oysters and mud crabs. During the settlement of 1804, it was referred to as Chapman's Island and considered as a site for a gaol.^[2]

Carrington is a testament to the white settlers' need to reshape the environment. Originally, the island was underwater at high tide and was slowly built up by ships dumping ballast and other reclamation work, which eventually saw the island grow out of the mud.^[2]

Carrington emerged as a residential suburb in the 1860s when many people moved to the island to escape the dirt and noise of the city or were forced off Honeysuckle Point as a result of land reclamation for port purposes. Early access to the island was by rowboat or punt across Throsby creek or on the Onebygamba express, a two-horse coach. There was also a footbridge from Honeysuckle at one point. Carrington was rich and progressive despite its relatively small size and was one of the few areas of Crown land close to Newcastle, the rest of the land in the area was owned by large companies or private individuals. Carrington was systematically sold off as it became more valuable.^[2]

In 1887 Carrington was constituted as a Municipality and the first council meeting was held on 1 June 1888. By 1900, the population was 2200, and Carrington had developed as a working class suburb and had a fearsome reputation. In the 1920s, steelworkers moved into the area, taking advantage of the proximity to the fledgling BHP works.

The Great Depression hit Carrington with a vengeance. In 1933 Carrington had up to 58% of wage earners either unemployed or in part time employ. A shanty town called "Texas" sprung up during the depression and provided shelter for many homeless and unemployed.^[2]

[edit] Today

Carrington is a mixed residential, commercial and industrial development that is physically separated from other suburbs. It is close to the harbour and CBD, services the Port and provides affordable housing. It is accessible by Cowper Street bridge over Throsby Creek.^[2]^[3]

[edit] Gallery

Carrington council chambers, built in 1888 and now in use as a community centre.

Carrington council chambers, built in 1888

Sign out side the entrance of Newcastle Port Corporation. In the background is the ruins of Carrington Power station

Grain storage silos, Carrington port district, Newcastle, New South Wales.

[edit] External links

Carrington, New South Wales is at coordinates 32°54′54″S 151°46′05″E / -32.915, 151.768 (Carrington, New South Wales)Coordinates: 32°54′54″S 151°46′05″E / -32.915, 151.768 (Carrington, New South Wales)
Basic map of Carrington

[edit] References

^ Hunter Valley Place Names and their Meanings
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Newcastle City Council's, discover our suburbs
^ Gregory's (1999). Newcastle (22nd edition). Universal Press, Maps 298,318. ISBN 0-7319-1081-8.

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Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (July 2007)