THE size of Belmont is approximately 9.2 square kilometres and has many parks covering nearly 24.7% of total area.<\/p>\n
The population of Belmont in 2016 was 14,050 and by the 2021 Census the population was 15,066 showing a population growth of 7% in the area during that time.<\/p>\n
The site of Belmont was settled by Dr Alexander Thomson in 1836. Thomson, a pioneer preacher and pastoralist named his holding Kardinia, and his Kardinia homestead (1850) in Riverview Terrace near the river is on the Register of the National Estate.<\/p>\n
Thomson was Mayor of Geelong five times between 1850 and 1858.<\/p>\n
The area now comprising the Belmont Common was a lagoon, and Thomson’s Kardinia homestead was situated on the edge of rising ground. Westwards the ground rises towards the Barrabool Hills, which may be the source of the name of Belmont, a word of French or Italian origin for a fine or pretty hill.<\/p>\n
In 1861 the Belmont town was proclaimed as a settlement south of the Barwon River, and in 1862 the Princes Bridge opened, connecting the Colac road (Princes Highway) to Geelong. By 1865 Belmont had three hotels, a flourmill, tanneries, fellmongeries and a court of petty sessions. A Catholic school had functioned during 1856-63, and a National School opened at the same time continued. It became the State primary school. Much of the surrounding land was agricultural, including orchards, vineyards and market gardens. Limestone was quarried.<\/p>\n
Belmont Common was the site of the landing of an aeroplane piloted by Captain Bert Hinkler in 1928, and an aerodrome was laid out on its north-west section. A tram service from Geelong to Belmont was opened in 1927 and ceased in 1956 along with all the Geelong trams.<\/p>\n
Until 1936 the shopping centre on High Street (Princes Highway) was small, but a Harry Hooper grocery (later a supermarket) attracted retail development. A Dickens grocery opened later, culminating in a Coles New World supermarket. Kmart opened a drive-in centre immediately to the north in 1970. This development coincided with strong increases in traffic, particularly heavy vehicles, putting pressure on the shopping centre’s amenity.<\/p>\n
Further south on the Princes Highway, there was a CSIRO textiles research centre (1958-2010).<\/p>\n
By the early 1950\u2019s the tide of suburban growth was well upon Belmont. A second primary school was opened in 1951, a high school in 1955, and community facilities were established.<\/p>\n
South Barwon shire (1875) were opened in Mt Pleasant Road, Belmont.<\/p>\n
The Belmont Common, now without the aerodrome, has a golf course, numerous ovals, a wildlife reserve and an active Sunday market.<\/p>\n
CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Belmont is 20- 29 years with households in Belmont being primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying on average $1,700 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Belmont work in a professional occupation.<\/p>\n