Merewether
Merewether is the most populated inner city suburb in Newcastle. Merewether Heights is an adjacent suburb.
According to the 2006 Census for Merewether there were 10,368 people in 4,816 dwellings (in 2001 there were 10,011 people in 4,800 dwellings). According to the 2006 Census for Merewether Heights there were 1,374 people in 543 dwellings (in 2001 there were 1,297 people in 539 dwellings).
Merewether beach runs along the southern coastal strip and includes the Merewether Ocean Baths. The suburb enjoys good access to schools, shopping, CBD and has local social facilities, shops and a diversity of housing types.
Sport and Recreation Facilities
Merewether has a number of local parks, including Dixon Park near the beach, Empire Park, Mitchell Park, Campbell Park and Charlotte Street Reserve. Some of these parks include barbecue facilities and playground equipment. The area is also home to parts of Glenrock State Recreation Park, which provides walking trails and picnic facilities. Go to sport and parks and playgrounds for more information about sport and recreation in Newcastle.
Childcare
Merewether Beach Community After School Hours Care is contactable on 02 4963 6306 and Merewether Kindergarten Pre-school is available at 02 4963 1590.
Library
Although Merewether does not have a library branch of its own, residents are close to City Library as well as the Adamstown Branch on Brunker Road, Adamstown. Visit the library for more information about libraries in Newcastle.
Schools
Merewether Public School is on Glebe Road and Merewether Heights Primary is located on Scenic Drive. St Joseph's Primary School is in the Junction and the Holy Family Primary School is located near Merewether Beach.
Transport Options
All parts of Merewether are an easy bus ride to and from the Newcastle CBD. Go to The Newcastle and Hunter Bus Timetable for bus times.
Commercial Centre
Llewellyn Street is home to a number of mixed businesses, a post office and a Leagues club. Parts of Merewether also have easy access to The Junction commercial area.
Community Forum
Residents can become involved in decisions affecting their local area by attending a Community Forum. The Forums provide an opportunity to express ideas, concerns or suggestions on matters such as traffic and parking, parks and Recreation maintenance and proposals, development proposals, waste management and road maintenance. Merewether combines with The Junction and Bar Beach residents on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm St Augustine's Church Hall, Corner Llewelyn and Winsor Streets, Merewether. Go to Community Forums for more information.
History
Merewether Council was incorporated in 1885 and the first mayor was F. Kempster. By the 1930's Merewether had an area of 1,114 acres and a population of 8,653.
Building in the area was held up by bank lending restrictions as a result of possible mine subsidence. Consequently development in the suburb did not take off until the passing of the Mine Subsidence Act in 1929 which gave assurances to incidents involving damage caused through mine subsidence.
Early industries were few as the area was almost exclusively devoted to coal mining. There were a number of potteries, however, and by 1877 there were seven brickworks operating. One hundred years later only one survived nearby to Junction School.
The early water supply was provided through wells or springs. Often during dry weather the many creeks in the area would dry up and those without wells would travel to the Wallaby Well (near Beaumont Street and Glebe Road). Washing was often done there too.
The first ocean baths at Merewether were built in 1926, partly in reaction to the sewerage coming from the gulf. In 1928 construction work on the existing baths began. The remains of the first small baths are still used slightly to the north.
The first gas streetlights did not appear until 1911 and electricity wasn't introduced until November 1928.
