| Mount Druitt Sydney, New South Wales | |||||||||||||||
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| Population | 16,986 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2770 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 58 m (190 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 43 km (27 mi) west ofSydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Blacktown | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | |||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Chifley | ||||||||||||||
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Mount Druitt is asuburb ofSydney, in the state ofNew South Wales, Australia. It is located 43 kilometres (27 mi) west of theSydney central business district, in thelocal government area of theCity of Blacktown, and is part of theGreater Western Sydney region.
There are numerous encompassing, smaller suburbs nearby includingBidwill,Blackett,Dharruk,Emerton,Hebersham,Lethbridge Park,Minchinbury,Shalvey,Tregear,Whalan, andWillmot.
MajorGeorge Druitt (1773–1842) was granted 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) in the area byGovernor Macquarie. He named his grant, where he died in 1842, Mount Druitt.[2]
Rail services to Mount Druitt commenced on 19 August 1881. The railway station operated as the post office between 1885 and 1918. The station had two platforms and a level crossing at the western end and included small goods yard, servicing a small mill. A railway gatekeeper's lodge was built circa 1867, and was later converted to the station master's cottage. It was later sold and converted to commercial use.
Electric train services to Mount Druitt commenced in 1955, at a service presided by thenPremier of New South Wales,Joseph Cahill. In 1975, the railway station was relocated approximately 500 metres east to service a new shopping centre that was locally known as "The Great Western" and is now owned byWestfield. The old railway station was demolished almost immediately, although the level crossing remained until a road bridge carrying Carlisle Avenue over the railway line was completed. A footbridge was also built for pedestrians.
Mount Druitt Hospital was opened in 1982 byQueen Elizabeth II. The 200-bed hospital was opened following significant fundraising and political agitation from the local community due to perception that the community was unable to access medical services at eitherBlacktown orNepean Hospitals.
In April 2006, theAttorney General's Department of New South Wales opened a newcourt house at a cost ofA$12 million. This was to become the first metropolitan area courthouse to utilise "circle sentencing", with aims to reduce over representation ofAboriginal Australians in custody.[3][4]
A local landmark is the Georgian cottage known as The Manse, situated in The Avenue. It was probably built by John Harris in the mid-1880s; the land on which it was built was originally part of Druitt's property. Later it was sold to Robert Kennedy. Kennedy left it to the Presbyterian Church when he died, and it was used for some time as a manse. It was acquired by Blacktown City Council in 2000 and restored. It is now the headquarters of the Mt Druitt Historical Society and is open to the public. It has both a local government and state government heritage listing.[5]
Mount Druitt has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
The Mount Druitt township was serviced by a relatively small shopping area known as Mount Druitt Village.
In 1975, a new shopping centre, known locally as "The Great Western", was opened approximately 500 metres to the east when the railway station was also relocated and a largebus/rail interchange was built. TheWestfield corporation took over theshopping centre, which is now known as Westfield Mount Druitt, located on the corner of Carlisle Avenue and Luxford Road, both major roads in the area. The complex has over 200 stores, ranging from discount department stores to specialty shops. Shopsmart is another shopping centre located in the suburb. Other services such as a hospital, coffee shops, small bars, council-operated swimming pool and library are all located within walking distance of the railway station.
The area is under a Blacktown council redevelopment Plan.
Much of the Housing commission has been sold off to Developers and the area is being revitalised – with Mixed use developments taking place. The area is becoming extremely popular with the Chinese, Thai and Filipino community, due to the affordability, schools, parks and transport links.
Mount Druitt railway station is located on theMain Western railway line. There is an express service which runs all day taking 20 minutes to get toParramatta and 38 minutes toSydney. It features an interchange with bus routes operated byBusways with routes to all suburbs in the Mount Druitt area,Blacktown andGlendenning.
The first electric train to Mount Druitt operated 8 October 1955.[8]
Mount Druitt High school was established in the 1960s.[9] The school is currently located within the suburb ofDharruk, adjacent to the local Emerton Shopping Village. It later rebranded as Chifley College Mount Druitt Campus, educating years 7–10.Chifley College Senior Campus educates the senior classes (years 11–12), and is within walking distance from Mount Druitt Station. A number of private schools such as the Church of England Grammar school have acquired parklands in the area. There are plans to build a 2000 student private school in the area adjacent to Wilmot. This is in partnership with the State Government who are selling off the failed public housing estate in the area.
Colyton Public School, established in 1861, is located in Mount Druitt.[10]
It is widely reported by the Media during the 2010s as one of the most dangerous Sydney suburbs.[11] This has been linked to low property prices in the suburb relative to the rest of Sydney.[12]
In 2018, there were 2,299firearms in Mount Druitt, the highest rate ofgun ownership in Sydney (thoughMosman had the highest rate per capita).[13] In 2022, there were 511.48 crimes per 1,000 people in Mount Druitt.[14]
As of the 2010s the suburb is known for being a hub for many street gangs, including NF14 also known asOnefour).[15][16][17][18][19][20] Crime has declined as of 2024.
According to the2021 census of population, there were 16,986 people in Mount Druitt.[1]
Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) underCC BY 4.0licence. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) underCC BY 4.0licence.Lee grew up in Mt Druitt in Western Sydney
33°46′20″S150°49′10″E / 33.77222°S 150.81944°E /-33.77222; 150.81944
