{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2016}} {{Infobox Australian place | type = suburb | name = Plainland | state = qld | image = Porters Plainland Hotel, Queensland.jpg | caption = Porters Plainland Hotel, opened in 1905 | coordinates = {{coord|-27.5816|152.4163|type:city_region:AU-QLD|display=inline,title|name=Plainland (town centre)}} | local_map = yes | zoom = 10 | pop = 1930 | pop_year = {{CensusAU|2021}} | pop_footnotes = <ref name=Census2021/> | established = | postcode = 4341 | area = 22.3 | timezone = AEST | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 17.0 | dir1 = E | location1 = Gatton | dist2 = 52.3 | dir2 = E | location2 = Toowoomba | dist3 = 76.3 | dir3 = WSW | location3 = Brisbane | dist4 = | dir4 = | location4 = | lga = Lockyer Valley Region | fedgov = Wright | stategov = Lockyer | county = Churchill | parish = Laidley | near-n = Regency Downs | near-ne = Hatton Vale | near-e = Summerholm | near-se = Summerholm | near-s = Laidley North | near-sw = Laidley North | near-w = Forest Hill | near-nw = Glenore Grove }} '''Plainland''' is a town in the Lockyer Valley Region, Queensland, Australia.<ref name=qpnl>{{cite QPN|44984|Plainland|locality in Lockyer Valley Region|accessdate=30 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Plainland {{!}} Queensland Places |url=https://queenslandplaces.com.au/plainland |access-date=2022-04-15 |website=queenslandplaces.com.au |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309130644/https://queenslandplaces.com.au/plainland |url-status=live }}</ref> In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Plainland had a population of 1,930 people,<ref name=Census2021/> an increase of 21% from the {{CensusAU|2016}}.<ref name="Census2016" />
== Geography == Plainland is in the Lockyer Valley, located {{convert|75|km|mi}} west of Brisbane, the state capital, along the Warrego Highway. Laidley–Plainland Road enters from the southwest.<ref>{{Google maps |url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Plainland+QLD+4341/@-27.578135,152.3787668,13z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6b96953e039cbee5:0x400eef17f20e180!8m2!3d-27.5679729!4d152.4220619!16s%2Fm%2F0k0x4yd?entry=ttu |accessdate=7 January 2024 |title=Plainland, Queensland}}</ref>
== History == Plainland was settled by a dozen German families in 1878. The families were mostly from West Prussia. The community constructed a Lutheran church in 1884 which was replaced in 1897. About 60 families, mainly of German origin, were living in the area in 1911—serviced by three blacksmiths, the Plainland Hotel, a state school and a general store.<ref name=QldPlaces>{{cite web|title=Plainland|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/plainland|work=Queensland Places|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland|access-date=18 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102033451/http://queenslandplaces.com.au/plainland|archive-date=2 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
Plainland State School opened circa 1886 and closed in 1966.<ref name=qfhs>{{Citation | author1=Queensland Family History Society | title=Queensland schools past and present | publication-date=2010 | publisher=Queensland Family History Society | edition=Version 1.01 | isbn=978-1-921171-26-0 }}</ref> It was on a {{Convert|10|acre|adj=on}} site at 3 Victor Court ({{Coord|-27.5718|152.4162|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Plainland State School (former)}}).<ref>{{Cite web |date=1929 |title=Moreton 40 Chain map AG2 series sheet 30 |url=https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh30-1929/original |access-date=7 October 2023 |publisher=Queensland Government |type=Map |archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007033912/https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/data/v2/HistoricalMaps/StaticMap/cadastral/cad-map-40chn-moreton-ag2-sh30-1929/original |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="globe">{{Queensland Globe|access-date=7 October 2023}}</ref> Plainland Post Office opened by 1899 (a receiving office had been open from 1887) and closed in 1966.<ref name="Post Office">{{Cite web | last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Premier Postal Auctions | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | access-date = 10 May 2014 | archive-date = 15 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140515223132/http://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | url-status = live }}</ref> The area received a public bar and hotel in 1905 with the opening of the Plainland Hotel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=120 Years of Pulling Beers - Porters Plainland Hotel |url=https://www.portersplainland.com.au/about-plainland-hotel/history-of-the-pub/ |access-date=2025-09-26 |language=en-AU}}</ref> Schulte's Gourmet Market opened in 1952, selling a range of local meats and produce to this day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} Famous Quality Paddock to Plate |url=https://schultes.com.au/history/ |access-date=2025-09-26 |language=en-US}}</ref> The area experienced a general decline in population throughout the mid-20th century, before starting to recover in the late 90's.
The area became the subject of considerable development in the late 90's and early 2000's. Faith Lutheran College opened in 1999.<ref name="qfhs" /> Federal funding led to the construction of a dedicated highway interchange with the Warrego Highway in 2004, which was followed shortly thereafter with the Plainland Plaza development in 2005,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-16 |title=What happens when you plonk a Woolies in cow paddock? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-17/inside-plainland-residential-commercial-population-growth/104486652 |access-date=2025-09-26 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> which hosts a supermarket amongst other boutique stores. Plainland's highway frontage prompted the development of the Plainland Travel Centre in 2009, which includes truck refuelling and driver facilities, and fast food staples.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-16 |title=What happens when you plonk a Woolies in cow paddock? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-17/inside-plainland-residential-commercial-population-growth/104486652 |access-date=2025-09-26 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
Further commercial development remains ongoing, with the opening of other businesses including the region's only Bunnings, as well as ALDI.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-16 |title=What happens when you plonk a Woolies in cow paddock? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-17/inside-plainland-residential-commercial-population-growth/104486652 |access-date=2025-09-26 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref> Porter's Plainland Hotel has also expanded to include an award-winning hotel and function centre, and celebrated 120 years of local business in 2025. Plainland Home + Life acts as the town's second retail centre, hosting larger format stores, medical facilities, and a swimming school.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plainland Home and Life, Plainland |url=https://www.developmentdirective.com.au/plainland-home-and-lifeplainland |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Development Directive |language=en-AU}}</ref> Plainland Plaza is also in the process of undertaking a substantive expansion which will double the size of the shopping centre, including a Coles, town square, and further shopping.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/repository/libraries/id:2eccbxg5l17q9su8pzhy/hierarchy/our-region/economic-and-regional-development/documents/Development%20Status%20Report%20-%202024%20(pages).pdf |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=www.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au}}</ref>
The area has also been the subject of rapid residential growth and development, including the substantive urban real estate development 'Plainland Crossing' being built in stages through the late 2010's,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://plainlandcrossing.com.au/ |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=Plainland Crossing Pty Ltd |language=en-US}}</ref> and the almost complete market saturation of closely-held surrounding acreage and lifestyle residential blocks. To support this growing population, Sophia College opened in 2021 with Year 7 enrolments initially, progressively extending the years offered each year until Year 12 becomes available in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Schools |url=https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/schools-curriculum/new-schools/Pages/default.aspx |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Brisbane Catholic Education |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204084356/https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/schools-curriculum/new-schools/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2019 Catholic Secondary College Opening at Plainland 2021 |url=http://www.olgcgatton.qld.edu.au/latest-news/Pages/2019-Catholic-Secondary-College.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310024623/http://www.olgcgatton.qld.edu.au/latest-news/Pages/2019-Catholic-Secondary-College.aspx |archive-date=10 March 2019 |access-date=2019-11-29 |website=www.olgcgatton.qld.edu.au}}</ref> In October 2025, the Catholic Church building in Coominya was relocated to become the chapel at Sophia College in Plainland.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-07 |title=Sophia lands a slice of Coominya history |url=https://tlsindependent.com.au/news/2025/10/07/sophia-lands-a-slice-of-coominya-history/ |access-date=2026-02-09 |website=The Lockyer & Somerset Independent |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Demographics == In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Plainland had a population of 1,672 people.<ref name=Census2011>{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC31336|name=Plainland (SSC) |accessdate=22 June 2012|quick=on}}</ref>
In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Plainland had a population of 1,596 people.<ref name=Census2016>{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC32363|name=Plainland (SSC)|accessdate=20 October 2018|quick=on}}</ref>
In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Plainland had a population of 1,930 people.<ref name=Census2021>{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL32340|name=Plainland (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}</ref>
== Events == A farmers' market is held adjacent to the hotel on Sundays.<ref name="QldPlaces" /> Other local events include the Sophia College twilight markets, and the monthly Schulte's Meet & Greet car show.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schulte's Meet & Greet (Qld) |url=https://cartorque.co/car-shows/schulte-039-s-meet-amp-greet-qld-12944 |access-date=2025-09-26 |website=cartorque.co}}</ref>
== Education == Faith Lutheran College is a private secondary (Years 7 to 12) school for boys and girls at 5 Faith Avenue ({{coord|-27.5680|152.4161|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Faith Lutheran College}}), operated by Lutheran Education Queensland.<ref name="SchoolList2018">{{cite web|url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|title=State and non-state school details|date=9 July 2018|publisher=Queensland Government|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997|archive-date=21 November 2018|access-date=21 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faithlc.qld.edu.au|title=Faith Lutheran College|access-date=21 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201050138/https://faithlc.qld.edu.au/|archive-date=1 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, the school had an enrolment of 719 students with 56 teachers (53.95 full-time equivalent) and 63 non-teaching staff (48.95 full-time equivalent).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f81fefe4b0ec7646d1e4fd/t/5955cd9236e5d3e59a14abce/1498795513004/Faith+LC+Plainland+Annual+Report+2016_final.pdf|title=Annual Report 2016|website=Faith Lutheran College Plainland|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913221958/https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52f81fefe4b0ec7646d1e4fd/t/5955cd9236e5d3e59a14abce/1498795513004/Faith+LC+Plainland+Annual+Report+2016_final.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2017|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref> In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 711 students with 59 teachers (57 full-time equivalent) and 63 non-teaching staff (43 full-time equivalent).<ref name="ACARA2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|title=ACARA School Profile 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0|archive-date=22 November 2018|access-date=22 November 2018}}</ref>
Sophia College is a Catholic secondary school for boys and girls at 56 Otto Road (corner of Gehrke Road, {{Coord|-27.5565|152.4226|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Sophia College}}).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Sophia College |url=http://www.sophiacollege.qld.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=Sophia College |archive-date=15 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615095515/https://www.sophiacollege.qld.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the school had an enrolment of 373 students in Years 7 to 10 (Years 11 and 12 are not yet offered with 36 teachers (34.8 full-time equivalent) and 33 non-teaching staff (25 full-time equivalent).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sophia College, Plainland, 2024 Annual Report |url=https://www.bne.catholic.edu.au/schools-curriculum/school-reporting/Annual%20Reports/2024/2024%20Plainland%20-%20Sophia%20College.pdf |access-date=13 July 2025 |website=Brisbane Catholic Education |pages=1, 4}}</ref>
There are no government schools in Plainland. The nearest government primary schools are:<ref name="globeschools">{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=13 July 2025 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government}}</ref>
* Glenore Grove State School in neighbouring Glenore Grove to the north-west * Hatton Vale State School in neighbouring Hatton Vale to the north-east * Laidley District State School in Laidley to the south * Forest Hill State School in neighbouring Forest Hill to the west The nearest government secondary school is Laidley State High School in Laidley to the south.<ref name="globeschools" />
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{cite book |url=https://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/61SLQ_INST/tqqf2h/alma997857004702061 |title=Laidley North State School centenary, 1889-1989 : incorporating Plainland State School, 1886-1966. |date=1989 |publisher=Laidley North State School}} *{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-17/inside-plainland-residential-commercial-population-growth/104486652|title=Inside highway town Plainland's housing boom after Woolworths set up shop|publisher=ABC News|first=Stuart|last=Cumming|date=17 November 2024}}
== External links == {{commons category|Plainland, Queensland}} * {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/plainland|title=Plainland|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
{{Lockyer Valley Region}}
Category:Lockyer Valley Region Category:Localities in Queensland