Meridan Plains, Queensland
Meridan Plains is a locality on the north-western edge of the Caloundra urban area in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. Traditionally a rural area, the locality is attracting residential development from the expansion of Caloundra. In the , Meridan Plains had a population of 3,675 people. Geography. Meridan Plains is west-northwest of Caloundra. A large portion of the western boundary follows the Mooloolah River, while a small section aligns with the Bruce Highway. History. Meridan Plains is named after an early pastoral property established by William and Richard Westaway circa 1870, which in turn was  named using a corruption of a Kabi language word meaning "place of kangaroos or dingoes". Pacific Lutheran College opened on 26 September 2001. The primary campus of Meridan State College opened on 1 January 2006, junior secondary in 2008 and the senior secondary campus in 2010. On 14 June 2019 the boundaries of the localities of Bells Creek and Meridan Plains were reduce to create the new localities of Banya, Corbould Park, Gagalba and Nirimba to accommodate future suburban growth in the Caloundra South Priority Development Area. Education. Meridan State College is a government primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for  boys and girls at 214 Parklands Boulevard (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 2,711 students with 194 teachers (182 full-time equivalent) and 94 non-teaching staff (64 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program. Pacific Lutheran College is a private primary and secondary (Prep-12) school for boys and girls at Woodlands Boulevard (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 948 students with 75 teachers (69 full-time equivalent) and 60 non-teaching staff (45 full-time equivalent).