Cleveland, a suburb of Redland City, is the quintessential bayside community as it is located on the western shores of Moreton Bay opposite North Stradbroke Island.
Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was called Nandeebie or Nandillie, the name given by the Koobenpul people, the earliest known occupants of Cleveland and nearby areas.
There are two versions as to the naming of the suburb. One story says that it was named in 1770 by Captain James Cook after John Cleveland, the Secretary of the Admiralty during the time. The other story goes that surveyors named it in the 1840s after William Vane, the First Duke of Cleveland.
Redland City’s Council Chambers, offices and different cultural centres are located in Cleveland. The Redland Gallery, Redland Museum and Redland Performing Arts Centre are some of the important cultural facilities located in the suburb. You will also see several heritage-listed sites there.
Living in Cleveland
Cleveland offers a perfect combination of urban chic and seaside relaxation. Use roads or rail to access this bayside community, which features a balance of lovely foreshores, parks and playgrounds, as well as a lively café culture, and diverse shops and markets.
Catch fresh sea air at Cleveland Point, a picturesque tiny peninsula off Moreton Bay. A range of activities are available, including picnicking at the park for families, fishing for retirees, visiting the historic 150-year-old lighthouse for couples, dining at one of the restaurants facing the bay and its islands, and more.
Stop at Raby Bay Harbour and gaze at luxury yachts and cruisers while partaking in sumptuous cuisine from the restaurants spread around this busy dining precinct. Raby Bay is where the high-end homes are located. It is a residential harbour and canal estates with private jetties.
Its leafy streetscapes also provide access to the iconic North Stradbroke Island and the ideal starting point for your Redlands adventure. From Toondah Harbour in Cleveland, take passenger ferries or vehicular barges to get North Stradbroke.
Key Demographic Feature
Population – According to the 2011 Census, Cleveland has a total population of 14,413.
Age Profile – The median age of persons of residents in Cleveland is 46 years. Children ages five to 14 years make up 37.1% of the population; 15.4% represents 55-64 years old and 15.1% makes up 45-54 years old; and 11.1% are 35-44 years old.
Household Profile – A high proportion of residents, or 50.2%, represents registered married couples; 41.5% are not married; and 8.3% are in a de facto relationship. The average household size is 2.4.
Employment – 36.1% worked full-time; 18.1% worked part-time; and 39.4% are not in the labour force. Of those in the labour force, 18.8% are professionals; 17.2% are clerical and administrative workers; 14.5% are managers; and 13.9% are technicians and trades workers.
Middle Income Earners – The labour force’s median household income per week is $1,139.
Businesses and Investment Opportunities
Cleveland Industrial Estate, a major land use in the Hilliards Creek catchment, comprises Enterprises Street, Industry Court and South Street. Occupying about 40 hectares of State Government owned land, the estate is home to several major industrial and commercial businesses. Some of the industries that are located in the estate include metal product manufacturing, wooden product manufacturing, powder coating, mechanical industries, concrete batching, and more.
The Redlands City Council is offering an incentive package to promote further growth in Cleveland, including:
- Defined land uses for commercial offices and education facilities, healthcare centres, mixed-used apartment buildings, shops and tourist accommodation
- Financial incentives, such as waiver of fees and infrastructure charges
Four key precincts are slated for development to transform Cleveland into a vibrant destination. These are:
- Bayside Precinct – Located around Raby Bay Harbour Park and the Cleveland train station, this area is ideal for mixed-use residential, leisure, specialist boutique and retail shops
- Centre Core – located around Bloomfield Street and Middle Street (east), this area is planned for mainstream retail and commercial facilities, with shops at ground level and residential accommodation above ground level
- Civic, Creative Arts and Knowledge Hub – situated at the western end of Middle Street, this hub is to be developed for community uses and educational centres that specialise in the arts and learning
- Reinforced Core – this area is intended to merge under-used locations and offer development opportunities for different purposes, including retail and commercial businesses and mixed-use residential structures
Transportation
Cleveland is located about 25 km east-south-east of Brisbane. The suburb can be directly accessed via Finucane Road and Bloomfield Street. By train, regular QR Citytrain services to Brisbane can be accessed via the Cleveland Railway Line. By bus, there are regular services via Route 250 operated by TransLink.
Toondah Harbour, located on the southern shores of Moreton Bay, is home to the Stradbroke Island Ferry Terminal, which links to North Stradbroke Island via water taxis and vehicular ferries.
Schools
Cleveland and surrounding suburbs offer many educational facilities, including Cleveland State School and Cleveland State High School.
Hospitals
The Redland Hospital is located in Cleveland. It provides acute medical services to local residents. The Mater Private Hospital Redland, one of Australia’s top private hospitals, is also located at the same site.
Shopping
The Cleveland Markets, held in the beautiful tree-lined Bloomfield Street between Middle and Queen Streets, feature different specialty stalls including fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products, fish, deli foods, sauces, bakery goods, and more. You will also find stalls selling an array of arts and crafts made by local artisans.
The market is held on Sundays from 7 am to 1 pm.