| Castlereagh Sydney, New South Wales | |||||||||||||||
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  Castlereagh | |||||||||||||||
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| Coordinates | 33°40′19″S150°40′42″E / 33.67194°S 150.67833°E /-33.67194; 150.67833 | ||||||||||||||
| Population | 1,248 (2021 census)[1] | ||||||||||||||
| Established | 1810 | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 2749[2] | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 31 m (102 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 67 km (42 mi) north-west ofSydney CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Penrith | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | |||||||||||||||
| Federal division(s) | Lindsay | ||||||||||||||
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Castlereagh is asuburb ofSydney, in the state ofNew South Wales, Australia. Castlereagh is 67 kilometres (42 mi) north-west of theSydney central business district, in thelocal government area of theCity of Penrith and is part of theGreater Western Sydney region.
The suburb is one of the most historic sites in Australia's colonial history, being one of the fiveMacquarie towns officially proclaimed on 6 December 1810.[3] GovernorLachlan Macquarie recorded the following in his journal "the Township for the Evan or Nepean District I have named Castlereagh in honor (sic) of LordViscount Castlereagh",[3]Secretary of State for War and the Colonies 1805–1806. He, in turn, was named afterCastlereagh inNorthern Ireland. The official Government and General Order issued from Government House, Sydney was dated 15 December 1810.
The earliest known European development was the building ofHadley Park, between what is now Castlereagh Road and theNepean River. Charles Hadley was given agrant in 1803, and his house,Hadley Park, was builtc. 1806. It still stands, largely intact. It has been said that it is difficult to overestimate the significance of this building. It was one of the earliest buildings in the colony and is "probably unique in its condition and setting". The property is listed on theNew South Wales State Heritage Register.[4]
Nepean Park,c. 1822, is also situated on Castlereagh Road, and was built by convict labour for John Single. A notable two-storey farmhouse in theGeorgian style, it was acquired by the Dixon family in 1934. It is listed on the (now defunct)Register of the National Estate and the NSW State Heritage Register.[5][6]
Castlereagh Post Office opened on 1 April 1857 and closed in 1967.[7]
After two hundred years, the rich river flats still provide for a thriving agricultural industry along theNepean River. Many of Penrith district's pioneering families had originated from Castlereagh. The suburb's historical importance is reflected in its many surviving farmhouses, outbuildings, churches and cemeteries.
Castlereagh has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:
According to the2021 census, there were 1,248 residents in Castlereagh. 81.7% of people were born in Australia and 86.5% of people only spoke English at home. The most common responses for religion were Catholic 40.6%, No Religion 27.7% and Anglican 13.2%.[1]
Castlereagh Road is one of the important transport links in Sydney connecting the Hawkesbury and Penrith regions.
The area has historic public school buildings, the Upper Castlereagh Public School and residence. Situated on Castlereagh Road, superseding a Wesleyan schoolhouse on the opposite side of the road, this was designed by G. A. Mansfield and constructed by James Evans, 1878-1879.[8]
There is also a K-12 parent-controlled Christian school, The Lakes Christian College. There is also a K-6 Principal controlled Primary school, Lower Castlereagh Public School, now known as Castlereagh Public School.
Nepean Speedway (38°38′45″S150°41′15″E / 38.64583°S 150.68750°E /-38.64583; 150.68750) is amotorcycle speedway venue approximately 3 kilometres north of the suburb, off Rickards Road.[9] The venue, which has a 390m track has hosted importantmotorcycle speedway events, including qualifying rounds of theSpeedway World Championship (starting in 1992)[10][11] and the final of theNew South Wales Individual Speedway Championship on two occasions.[12]
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. Text is licensed by State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) underCC BY 4.0licence.