Werrington, New South Wales

Werrington is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is 45.8 kilometres (28.5 mi) west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Penrith and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.

Werrington
Sydney, New South Wales
Population4,031 (2016 census)[1]
 • Density905.8/km2 (2,346.1/sq mi)
Established1806
Postcode(s)2747
Elevation26 m (85 ft)
Area4.45 km2 (1.7 sq mi)
Location45.8 km (28 mi) west of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)Penrith City Council
State electorate(s)
Federal Division(s)Lindsay
Suburbs around Werrington:
Cambridge Park Werrington County St Marys
Kingswood Werrington St Marys
Kingswood Claremont Meadows St Marys

History

Aboriginal culture

Prior to European settlement, what is now Werrington was home to the Gomerrigal-Tongarra people who spoke the Darug language. They lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle governed by traditional laws, which had their origins in the Dreamtime. Their homes were bark huts called 'gunyahs'. They hunted kangaroos and emus for meat, and gathered yams, berries and other native plants.

European settlement

The first land grant in the area was made in 1806 to Mary King, youngest daughter of the Governor Philip Gidley King. Mary did not take possession of the property until 1827, after her marriage to Robert Copeland Lethbridge.[2] They built a house, which they named Werrington, and farmed the surrounding estate until 1865, when Robert Lethbridge died. The Lethbridge family name still survives in Lethbridge Street and Lethbridge Avenue.

Werrington, which still stands in Rugby Street, was leased to New South Wales premier Henry Parkes between 1860 and 1872. It is heritage-listed.[3] Henry Parkes arranged for the construction of a private railway platform nearby. In 1878, it was opened to the public as Parkes Platform but was renamed Werrington in 1893.[4] The railway station provided the nucleus around which the town grew. The Werrington estate was sold and subdivided from the 1880s.[5] Werrington Post Office opened on 1 October 1891.[6]

Heritage listings

Werrington has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Demographics

In the 2016 Census, there were 4,031 people in Werrington

  • The most common ancestries in Werrington were Australian 24.7%, English 23.6%, Irish 5.7%, Scottish 4.5% and Filipino 3.9%
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 5.1% of the population.
  • 65.7% of people were born in Australia The next most common countries of birth were Philippines 4.2%, India 3.3%, New Zealand 2.6%, England 2.5% and Nepal 1.2%.
  • 70.1% of people spoke only English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Tagalog at 2.5%.
  • The most common responses for religion were No Religion 25.9%, Catholic 25.4% and Anglican 15.7%.
  • The weekly median household income was $1228.
  • The most common occupations included Clerical and Administrative Workers 16.8%, Machinery Operators and Drivers 14.8%, Professionals 14.2%, Technicians and Trades Workers 13.4%, and Labourers 11.0%.[1]

Commercial area

Werrington's commercial area centers on shops near the railway station namely Foursquare Werrington[8] which includes a Pharmacy, Liquor Store, Massage Parlor, and Self Serve Laundromat.[9] Colonial Hotel located in Victoria street has a Bistro, Sports Bar and a VIP Lounge (late night poker machine room).[10] Werrington Park Corporate Centre, a new Business Park is based adjacent to the Western Sydney University, Werrington South campus which is located in Claremont Meadows (despite the misleading campus name of Werrington South).[11]Werrington Post Office is located at 108 Victoria Street.[12]

Schools

Werrington has a public school based in Armstein Crescent, Werrington.[13] The nearest High School is Cambridge Parks High School in the nearby suburb of Cambridge Park. Wollemi College an independent boys' school is situated at Gipps Street.[14] Kurrambee school catering to students with special needs is located on Werrington Road.[15]

Tertiary education

The Western Sydney University Penrith has two campuses each in Werrington South and Werrington North.[16] The University campus is easily accessible from Werrington railway station.

Sporting facilities

Werrington is home to the below Sports amenities

  • Colonial Golf Course (home of soccer golf)
  • Parkes Avenue Tennis Club
  • Parkes Avenue Sports Complex
  • Rance Oval
  • Penrith Sports Stadium

Hospital

The nearest Hospital is Nepean Hospital in Penrith which provides multi-speciality Medical services. Werrington also has a Medical centre located at Victoria Street.[17]

Transport

Werrington railway station is on the North Shore & Western Line of the Sydney Trains network. The station underwent a major upgrade in 2007, providing better access for the disabled with a new lift and establishing a paved carpark on the southern side of the station. Busways operates routes 782 and 785 to Penrith from Werrington Station.[18][19] Werrington is served by the Great Western Highway and the M4 Western Motorway (Kent Road exit). Werrington Arterial Road - Stage 1 was completed in May 2017 which connects the Great Western Highway and the M4 Western Motorway providing direct access to the M4 Western Motorway with entry and exit ramps at Claremont Meadows near Werrington.[20]

Governance

At a local government level, Werrington is part of the north ward of Penrith City Council, represented by Richard Fowler (Mayor of Penrith).At the state level, it is part of the Electoral district of Londonderry, represented by Labor Party member Prue Car.Federally, it is part of the Division of Lindsay, represented by Liberal Party member Melissa McIntosh.

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Werrington (State Suburb)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  2. Penrith City e-history – Town Foundation: Early Town Plans and Subsequent Speculative Subdivision Penrith City Council
  3. State Heritage Register
  4. The Department of Railways Research and Information Section (1966) Railway Quiz (Department of Railways) p12
  5. "Penrith Local Suburb profiles – Werrington". Penrith City Council. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2007.
  6. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  7. "Rose Cottage and Early Slab Hut". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01392. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  8. https://plus.google.com/107949561031363267939/about?gl=au&hl=en
  9. Werrington Pharmacy True Local
  10. Colonial Hotel
  11. Werrington Park
  12. Werrington Post Office Australia Post
  13. Werrington Primary School NSW Department of Education
  14. Wollemi College
  15. Kurrambee School NSW Public Schools
  16. Penrith Campus Western Sydney University
  17. https://plus.google.com/103169526898628856002/about?gl=au&hl=en
  18. "Busways route 782". Transport for NSW.
  19. "Busways route 785". Transport for NSW.
  20. Werrington Arterial Road New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services

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