Redbank is a suburb in the City of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. In the 2021 census, Redbank had a population of 2,931 people.
The origin of the suburb name is from a description of the area provided by Major Edmund Lockyer whilst exploring in a boat along the Brisbane River.
While the Redbank area is known for its agricultural and pastoral origins, it has a more varied history.
In the late 1850s, the first farmers in the area settled on the river flats situated to the north of the current railway station. This settlement featured a brickworks, sawmill, stores, cottages, a school and nondenominational church, though due to severe flooding, it was relocated south of the railway station some years later.
In the early years, the rich black loamy soil of the plains supported crops of maize, potatoes and fodder, while cotton became a significant crop in the 1860s and 1870s. By the beginning of the 20th century, dairying became more important with the establishment of several creameries in the area.
The late 1850s saw the establishment of the first secondary industry in the area, with a boiling down works and fellmongery owned by Mr John Campbell and Mr Town.
Redbank's school was originally opened on July 1865 by the Roman Catholic Church on a 2-acre (0.81 ha) land parcel with an initial enrolment of 31 students. The building was used as both a school and a church. In 1881, it became Redbank State School. It closed on 30 September 1895, but reopened on 6 September 1897. In 1951, a further 5.5 acres (2.2 ha) of land was acquired to expand the school site.
The Redbank - Bundamba Loop Line comprised a series of railway sidings serving coal mines in the area.
Redbank Rifle Range operated from 1912 to 1980 south of the Redbank railway station. It was the home of a number rifle clubs over the years including Ipswich Railway Rifle Club, Ipswich City Rifle Club, Ipswich and District Rifle Club, which were involved in competitive target shooting. The 700-yard (640 m) firing mound was about 35 metres (38 yd) from the railway station with the targets 700 yards (640 m) away (approx 27°36′21″S 152°52′32″E / 27.6057°S 152.8755°E). During World War II, there was a large military camp and training area at the range with up to 6,000 Australian and American troops. The development of the Ipswich Motorway reduced the length of the rifle range which led to the relocation of the Ipswich and District Rifle Club to South Ripley in 1972.
The Redbank Railway Workshops has been operating in the suburb since 1958.
The current Redbank Plaza Library was opened in 1998 and had a major refurbishment in 2010.
In the 2016 census, Redbank had a population of 1,834 people. Redbank had an unemployment rate of 14.5%, more than double the Australian unemployment rate of 6.9%.
In the 2021 census, Redbank had a population of 2,931 people.
History info courtesy of Wikipedia