Decking in Sippy Downs

Australia's newest university town

Sippy Downs is a suburb in the Sunshine Coast Region with 11,544 residents at the 2021 census. It is a separate suburb from Buderim, which is near it: Wikipedia puts Sippy Downs 5.4 kilometres south of the Buderim town centre. It includes the housing estate Chancellor Park and the University of the Sunshine Coast, which opened on 26 February 1996 with 542 students. Wikipedia says it is master planned as Australia's first university town, a Knowledge Hub in the state's infrastructure plan with scope for over 6,000 knowledge workers.

A place of birds

The name Sippy comes from the Aboriginal word Dhippi or Jippi, a general name for winged creatures, believed to mean place of birds. Before development the area was coastal forests and plains. It was part of the Moolooloo Plains pastoral run leased by John Westaway and Sons in the 1860s, and was not occupied until 1938.

Cane and cattle

Alfred Grant bought the land in 1957, part was sold to Frank Cunning for cattle, and in 2002 the INVESTA property group bought it. Brahman cattle were still on the property when it was surveyed for housing, and cane farms continued until the last, owned by Bundaberg Sugar, closed in 2003. The suburb itself was established in 1993 after the Shire of Maroochy rezoned the area.

A young suburb

Because Sippy Downs was established in 1993, most of its houses are probably less than thirty-five years old, though we have no figure. Newer houses commonly have a rear patio or an alfresco area. Ask each builder how a new deck would connect to the existing slab or floor level, and whether the ground has been well compacted.

Schools in the suburb

Chancellor State College opened as a primary school in 1997 and added secondary education in 2004, with about 2,975 students in 2018. Siena Catholic College opened in 1997, and Siena Catholic Primary School in 2001. With so many young families, a family deck may need to be safe for children, with rails and stairs that meet the rules.

Safe rails and stairs

Sunshine Coast Council says a balustrade that protects a fall of one metre or more can need a permit, and so can a stair with three or more risers. A national guide says balustrading can rival the board cost, with timber cheapest and glass most expensive. Ask each builder to price rails and stairs separately and to explain which rules they used.

Estates and covenants

Housing estates such as Chancellor Park may have design rules from the developer or a body corporate. We do not know the rules for your street. Ask your estate manager, your title documents or your council, then ask each builder to confirm in writing that the design meets those rules before they start work.

Birds, leases and a university

Sippy is from the Aboriginal word Dhippi or Jippi, a general term for winged creatures, believed to mean a place of birds. The area was coastal forest and plains before development. Runs ended in 1870, and the land was not occupied until 1938, held as a perpetual lease until 1957. Alfred Grant then bought it, a portion went to Frank Cunning for cattle, and Investa bought it in 2002.

What does Sippy mean?

Wikipedia says it comes from Dhippi or Jippi, a word for winged creatures, believed to mean place of birds.

When was Sippy Downs established?

As a suburb in 1993, after the Shire of Maroochy rezoned the area.

Which university is here?

The University of the Sunshine Coast, which opened in 1996.

Is Sippy Downs part of Buderim?

No. Queensland Place Names lists Sippy Downs and Buderim as separate suburbs in the Sunshine Coast Region. Wikipedia puts Sippy Downs 5.4 kilometres south of the Buderim town centre.

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