Birregurra is a popular treechange community near the Princes Highway between Geelong and Colac and borders the western bank of the Barwon River.<\/p>\n
The Otway Ranges are immediately south and there are undulating plains to the north.<\/p>\n
The biggest event of the year has been the Birregurra Festival & Art Show which fills the town with visitors during the annual event.<\/p>\n
In 1839 an Aboriginal mission station was established about six kilometres south of Birregurra on the Barwon River.<\/p>\n
The station ceased in 1851 and one of its overseers, a Captain Bowden, had his name given to the place (Bowden\u2019s Point) where the<\/p>\n
Cape Otway Road crossed the river, and that place subsequently became Birregurra.<\/p>\n
The Birregurra on Barwon township was surveyed in 1862 and the name is thought to be derived from an Aboriginal word describing \u2018kangaroo camp\u2019.<\/p>\n
A Wesleyan chapel and school were opened in 1863 and there was also record of two hotels and a small flour mill.<\/p>\n
The railway was extended from Geelong to Birregurra in 1876-77, prompting a steady growth in population to nearly 400 people by 1900.<\/p>\n
The Otway Forrest railway line, branching from Birregurra was opened in 1891, looping southwards and skirting the Otway Ranges as it passed through numerous small farming settlements.<\/p>\n
The town\u2019s population approached 700 and stayed in that region until the 1960s and the Forrest railway line was closed in 1957.<\/p>\n
CoreLogic data indicates the predominant age group in Birregurra is 60-69 years with households in Birregurra being primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying $1,400-$1,799 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Birregurra work in a managerial occupation.<\/p>\n
In 2011, 82.7 per cent of the homes in Birregurra were owner-occupied compared with 78.6 per cent in 2016.<\/p>\n
Currently the median sales price of houses in the area is $531,000.<\/p>\n
AGENT PERSPECTIVE:
\n\u201cThe real estate market in Birregurra has grown exponentially over the last three years in particular.<\/p>\n
\u201cResidential land values are driving a very buoyant market and the popularity and demand for property in this lovely town has never been higher.<\/p>\n
\u201cA definite sellers\u2019 market, though, with further growth a certainty for buyers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Geoff Bennett – McCartney Real Estate, Winchelsea<\/p>\n
TIDBIT:
\nA saleyard (1912) and a dairy factory (1913-55) opened in Birregurra enabling livestock and whole milk to be transported by train.<\/p>\n
Population: 828<\/p>\n
Male: 52.4%<\/p>\n
Female: 47.6%<\/p>\n
Median age: 44<\/p>\n
5 year population change: 9.3%<\/p>\n
Median house price: $550,000<\/p>\n
Change in Median Price: (5yrs) is 83%<\/p>\n
Median asking rent per week: $350<\/p>\n
Average length of ownership: 9 years<\/p>\n
Owner occupiers: 81%<\/p>\n
Renters: 19%<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n