Bli Bli, Queensland

Bli Bli (/ˈblaɪblaɪ/)^[2] is a rural town and locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia.^[3][4] In the 2021 census, Bli Bli had a population of 10,750 people.^[1]

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Bli Bli Queensland
Sunshine Castle, 2018
Bli Bli
Coordinates	26°37′07″S 153°02′16″E / 26.6186°S 153.0377°E / -26.6186; 153.0377 (Bli Bli (town centre))
Population	7,801 (2016 census)^[1]
• Density	260.0/km^2 (673.5/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4560
Area	30.0 km^2 (11.6 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
Location	8.3 km (5 mi) NW of Maroochydore 9.4 km (6 mi) E of Nambour 29.3 km (18 mi) NNW of Caloundra 108 km (67 mi) N of Brisbane CBD
LGA(s)	Sunshine Coast Region, Division 9
County	Canning
Parish	Maroochy
State electorate(s)	Ninderry
Federal division(s)	Fairfax
Suburbs around Bli Bli: Parklands Maroochy River Marcoola Nambour Bli Bli Pacific Paradise Rosemount Diddillibah Maroochydore

Geography

 

David Low Bridge over Maroochy River in Bli Bli, 2018

A few kilometres inland from the Maroochydore urban area, Bli Bli rises above the wetlands which were, for many years, the home of the Sunshine Coast sugarcane industry. Whilst this industry is all but gone, state government legislation ensures the wetlands will remain an undeveloped Green Space.

The Maroochy River flows through the locality from north-east (Marcoola) to south-east (Pacific Paradise/Maroochydore).^[5]

History

The name Bli Bli is believed to be derived from the Kabi word bilai meaning sheoak tree (Casuarina glauca).^[3][4]

Bli Bli Provisional School opened on 2 April 1901, becoming Bli Bli State School on 1 January 1909.^[6][7]

The first Bli Bli post office opened by March 1903 (a receiving office had been open from 1898) and closed in 1954. The current Bli Bli post office opened on 1 October 1987.^[8]

 

Sunshine Castle

In March 1972, Fairytale Castle was opened; it was later known as the Bli Bli Castle until it was renamed to Sunshine Castle in 2006. The Norman/medieval-style castle was built as a tourist attraction. The castle now houses a medieval museum and serves as an events venue for functions and concerts.^[9]

At the 2011 census, Bli Bli had a population of 6,283, 50.6% female and 49.4% male..^[10] The median age of the Bli Bli population was 39 years, compared to the national median age of 37. 79.3% of people living in Bli Bli were born in Australia. The other top responses for country of birth were England 5.4%, New Zealand 4.2%, Scotland 0.7%, Germany 0.7%, South Africa 0.6%. 93.2% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.5% German, 0.4% Italian, 0.2% Tagalog, 0.2% Japanese, 0.1% Dutch.^[10]

In the 2016 census, Bli Bli had a population of 7,801 people.^[1]

Good Samaritan Catholic College opened in 2017.^[11]

Heritage listings

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

• 87 Willis Road: Bli Bli Public Hall^[12]
• 89 Willis Road: former Bli Bli Presbyterian Church^[13]

Education

Bli Bli State School is a government primary (Prep-6) school for boys and girls at School Road (26°36′49″S 153°01′55″E / 26.6137°S 153.0319°E / -26.6137; 153.0319 (Bli Bli State School)).^[14][15] In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 614 students with 45 teachers (35 full-time equivalent) and 29 non-teaching staff (19 full-time equivalent).^[16] It includes a special education program.^[14]

Good Samaritan Catholic College is a Catholic primary and secondary school (Prep to Year 12) for boys and girls at 185 Parklakes Drive (26°35′43″S 153°01′13″E / 26.5952°S 153.0204°E / -26.5952; 153.0204 (Good Samaritan Catholic College)).^[17][18]

Sunshine Coast Environmental Education Centre is an Outdoor and Environmental Education Centre at Sports Road (26°36′23″S 153°02′58″E / 26.6065°S 153.0495°E / -26.6065; 153.0495 (Sunshine Coast Environmental Education Centre)).^[14][19]

Amenities

Today Bli Bli has become a conveniently located residential community, it retains its small-town feel, yet is minutes from Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore, Mudjimba Beach and the Bruce Highway (which forms the western boundary of the locality).

Horton Park Golf Club Maroochydore was relocated to David Low Way in Bli Bli in May 2015. The club was renamed Maroochy River Golf Club and has 18 championship holes with a driving range.^[20]

The Sunshine Coast Region council operates a mobile library service which visits the David Low Way.^[21]

Bli Bli Uniting Church is at 10-12 Lefoes Road (26°36′49″S 153°02′16″E / 26.6135°S 153.0378°E / -26.6135; 153.0378 (Bli Bli Uniting Church)). It is part of the Mary Burnett Presbytery.^[22][23][24]

The Bli Bli branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the Uniting Church.^[25]

See also

• List of reduplicated Australian place names

References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Bli Bli (SSC)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 20 October 2018.  
2. "Bli Bli". ABC Pronounce. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 August 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
3. "Bli Bli – town in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 3174)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
4. "Bli Bli – locality in Sunshine Coast Region (entry 49676)". Queensland Place Names. Queensland Government. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
5. "Queensland Globe". State of Queensland. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
6. "Agency ID 4856, Bli Bli State School". Queensland State Archives. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
7. Queensland Family History Society (2010), Queensland schools past and present (Version 1.01 ed.), Queensland Family History Society, ISBN 978-1-921171-26-0
8. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
9. "History of the Sunshine Castle". Sunshine Castle. from the original on 6 September 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
10. Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "Bli Bli (SSC)". 2011 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 25 April 2014.  
11. "FAQs". Good Samaritan Catholic College. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
12. "Bli Bli Public Hall" (PDF). Sunshine Coast Region Heritage Register. Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
13. "Bli Bli Presbyterian Church (Former)" (PDF). Sunshine Coast Region Heritage Register. Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
14. "State and non-state school details". Queensland Government. 9 July 2018. from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
15. "Bli Bli State School". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
16. "ACARA School Profile 2017". from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 22 November 2018.
17. "New Schools". Brisbane Catholic Education. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
18. "Good Samaritan Catholic College Bli Bli". Good Samaritan Catholic College. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
19. "Sunshine Coast Environmental Education Centre". Retrieved 21 November 2018.
20. . Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
21. "Libraries: Mobile timetable". Sunshine Coast Region Council. from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
22. "Bli Bli". maryburnettpres.org.au. from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
23. "Bli Bli Uniting Church". Churches Australia. from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
24. "Find a Church". Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
25. . Queensland Country Women's Association. Archived from the original on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 26 December 2018.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bli Bli, Queensland.

• "Bli Bli". Queensland Places. Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland.
• Sunshine Castle, Bli Bli