Peakhurst Heights, New South Wales



Peakhurst Heights is a suburb in southern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Peakhurst Heights is located 22 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the St George area. Peakhurst Heights is in the local government area of the City of Hurstville.

Peakhurst is a separate suburb to the north. Peakhurst Heights is bordered by Boggywell Creek and Lime Kiln Bay, on the Georges River. The shores of Lime Kiln Bay once had Aboriginal middens that were used by shell-gatherers.

Parks
Peakhurst Heights is a mainly residential area. Gannons Park is a large recreation area in the north west corner and Hurstville Golf Course sits on the eastern border.

Commercial area
A small group of shops is located on Pindari Road. Peakhurst South Public School is located nearby.

History
Peakhurst was named after landholder John Robert Peake. The area was originally part of a land grant to Captain John Townson. John Robert Peake bought 10 acre of land from William Hebblewhite in 1838. Peake donated land for the first Methodist church built in 1856. School Inspector Huffer suggested that Peake's name be used when the public school was founded in 1871 and it was later adopted by the suburb. The post office opened in 1885.

Peakhurst Heights was a locality in the suburb of Peakhurst, until it was recognised as a separate suburb in 1995.

Population
According to the 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census of Population, there were 2,226 people usually resident in Peakhurst Heights. 16.8% stated they were born overseas with the top countries of birth being United Kingdom 3.0%, China 1.7% and Italy 1.3%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 82.1% of residents and the most common other languages spoken were Greek 5.0%, Italian 2.56% and Arabic 1.7%. The most common responses for religious affiliation were Catholic 32.6%, Anglican 24.6% and Orthodox 9.6%.

Events
Each Christmas Eve the residents of Peakhurst Heights congregate on the streets. Houses are adorned with Christmas lights and decorations and the streets are lined with candles as inspired by the Spanish tradition of Noche Buena.