Alexandria, New South Wales

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Alexandria
city = Sydney
state = nsw


caption = Alexandria Town Hall
lga = City of Sydney
postcode = 2015
pop = 4203 (2001 census)
area = 3.8
est =
propval =
stategov = Heffron
fedgov = Sydney
near-nw = Erskineville
near-n = Eveleigh
near-ne = Redfern, Waterloo
near-w = Newtown
near-e = Zetland, Beaconsfield
near-sw = St Peters
near-s = Mascot
near-se = Rosebery
dist1 = 4
dir1 = south
location1= Sydney CBD

Alexandria is an inner-city suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Alexandria is located 4 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney. The postcode is 2015. [Gregory's Sydney Street Directory, Gregory's Publishing Company, 2007]

The rough boundaries of Alexandria are Botany Road to the east, Gardeners Road to the south, Mitchell Road and Sydney Park to the west, and Henderson Road to the north. It is approximately 2 kilometres south of Central Station.

History

Alexandria was named after Princess Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII. The name was also used for the surrounding parish. In 1868, the Borough of Alexandria was formed, after separating from Waterloo. The former Alexandria Town Hall is in Garden Street. [Book of Sydney Suburbs, Frances Pollon (Angus and Robertson) 1990]

By 1943, Alexandria was the largest industrial district in Australia, and known as the "Birmingham of Australia", with everything from bricks to aeroplanes manufactured in 550 factories in just 1,000 acres. ["Residents Guide 2007". City of Sydney.] The municipality was abolished upon merger into the City of Sydney in 1949, along with Darlington, Erskineville, Newtown, Redfern, Waterloo, Paddington and Glebe.

In 1968 the boundaries were changed again and Alexandria was part of a new municipality, South Sydney Council. South Sydney was brought back into the City of Sydney in 1982 and then became separate again under the City of Sydney Act of 1988. In 2004, Alexandria moved back into the City of Sydney, when the City of Sydney was merged with the City of South Sydney.

Commercial Area

Alexandria is a largely industrial suburb with medium to high density residential areas. The suburb was once mostly terraced housing, that was demolished for light industrial use and warehousing which continues to this day. Pockets of quiet residential areas remain along the northern boundary of the suburb, adjoining Erskineville and Waterloo.

Green Square

Alexandria is part of the Green Square district, in the north east of the suburb, which is currently undergoing gentrification. This involves an urban renewal project that is constructing modern retail, business and medium-high density residential developments.

Transport

Alexandria is serviced by State Transit Authority Sydney Buses routes to the Sydney CBD. Alexandria is close to two railway lines on the City Rail network. Green Square railway station, located on the north-eastern fringe, is on the Airport and East Hills line. Erskineville railway station and St Peters railway station are serviced by the City Rail Bankstown Line. Both are within easy walking distance, to the west of Alexandria.

Alexandria was serviced by trams along Mitchell, Henderson and Botany Roads, until the tramway system was closed in the 1950s.

port and Recreation

Sydney Park is a large recreational area on the western border

Alexandria Park and McKell Playground are situated on Buckland Street. Tennis courts and a cricket oval are located here. Erskineville Oval is just over the western border. The Alexandria basketball stadium is the training venue for the Sydney Kings NBL basketball team.

A number of popular pubs are located in the suburb including the Alexandria Hotel, Buckland Hotel, Lord Raglan Hotel and the Cricketers' Arms.

References

External links

* [http://www.id.com.au/dosydney/default.asp?pg=30&gid=150 Alexandria demograhics from the Dictionary of Sydney]