Balgowlah, New South Wales

Balgowlah Sydney, New South Wales
North Harbour, Balgowlah
Population	7,495 (2011 census)
Established	1832
Postcode(s)	2093
Location	12 km (7 mi) north-east of Sydney CBD
LGA(s)	Northern Beaches Council
State electorate(s)	Manly
Federal Division(s)	Warringah
Suburbs around Balgowlah: North Balgowlah Manly Vale Manly Vale Seaforth Balgowlah Fairlight Clontarf Balgowlah Heights North Harbour

Balgowlah is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Balgowlah is located 12 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Northern Beaches Council, in the Northern Beaches region. Balgowlah shares the postcode 2093 with the adjacent suburbs of Manly Vale, Balgowlah Heights and North Balgowlah.

Balgowlah was named in 1832 after an Aboriginal word meaning north harbour in reference to its position from Port Jackson. In the early days of European Settlement it had been known as Little Manly.Sir Edmund Barton, Australia's first prime minister, resided in the building known as Whitehall in White Street. Since 2004, Whitehall has been the site of the Norwegian Seamen's Church.

According to the 2011 census of Population, there were 7,495 residents in Balgowlah. 65.8% of residents were born in Australia. The most common other countries of birth were England 8.7%, New Zealand 3.0% and South Africa 1.9%. 83.5% of residents spoke only English at home. The most common responses for religious affiliation were Catholic 26.4%, No Religion 26.0% and Anglican 22.8%.

Balgowlah's main commercial area is located on Condamine Street and Sydney Road. Major businesses in Balgowlah are Harvey Norman and Bunnings Warehouse. Stockland Balgowlah is a shopping centre located on Condamine Street.The centre opened on 15 July 2009. Its main majors are Coles, Fitness First and 62 other retailers. Stockland Balgowlah is built on the historic Totem Centre, which opened in 1959. The name Totem was based on the North American model. The centre had 33 shops, a bowling alley and a huge Woolworths store. In 2007 the Totem Centre was demolished, the centre was run down at the time of its demolition and the Totem name was not continued. However the centre is still colloquially referred to as "Totem" in the area.The nearest major shopping centre is Westfield Warringah Mall, located 2 kilometres north of the suburb.