Cascade

This is an article related to the Commonwealth of New Duveland

Cascade
City
Clockwise from top: Cascade's city skyline with Mt McStanley in the distance, Cascade Place tower, Cascade Central Railway Station, Parliament of Norfolk, The Norfolk War Memorial, Two Bays Bridge and Mt. Kingston Tower.
Country	New Duveland
Province	Norfolk
Region	Kingston bay
Settled	1798
Government
• Mayor	Kauri Thompson
Area
• Total	1,956.0 km2 (755.2 sq mi)
Elevation	20 m (70 ft)
Population  (2024)
• Total	736,965
• Rank	7th
• Density	380/km2 (980/sq mi)
Demographics
• Languages	English Māori
Time zone	UTC+13 (UTC)
Major airport	Cascade International Airport

Cascade is the capital and largest city of the Province of Norfolk, and also the seventh most populous city in New Duveland, with a population of just over 700,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Founded in 1798 as a small trading post and then shortly after as a penal colony, making the city the second oldest in New Duveland after Macquarie. The city has lost much of it's historical architecture, as it has experienced numerous devastating earthquakes since it's founding. The city's current central business district sits at the mouth of the Rotomanu River, which in turn sits on the edge of the Georges Bay and WIlsons Bay. The city's natural landscape is dominated by one of the largest active volcanoes in the country, Mt McStanley, which rises to 2,107m.

Prior to British settlement, the Cascade metropolitan area had been occupied for possibly as long as 500 years by Maori tribes, with the existing Waiora Roimata village thriving in what is now the city's south-eastern suburbs. Since it's foundation, the city has expanded along the Rotomanu River's floodplain in all directions, bordering the Mt Kaikora to the east, and Mt Ngatea to the west. Penal transportation ended in the 1850s, after which the city experienced periods of growth and decline. The early 20th century saw an economic boom on the back of mining, agriculture and other primary industries, and the loss of men who served in the world wars was counteracted by an influx of immigration. Despite the rise in migration from Asia and other non-English speaking regions, Cascade's population remains predominantly ethnically Anglo-Celtic, and has the highest percentage of New Duvelander-born residents among New Duveland's capital cities.

Today, Cascade is the financial and administrative hub of Norfolk, and more recently, a tourist gateway for eco-tourism of Nofolk's pristine untouched wilderness, particularly the central highlands around Mt McStanley, as well as the Great Southern Ranges and the Kingston Ranges in the north of the island.

Etymology

Cascade's nomenclature bears a veil of historical uncertainty, with theories proposing that early settlers chose the name in reference to a series of diminutive cascading waterfalls descending from Mount Wilson—a phenomenon now recognized as Wilson Creek. This watercourse meanders northward, skirting the central business district before converging with the Rotomanu River, eventually joining Georges Bay. Fascinatingly, these falls, initially unbeknownst to the first settlers, are transient, manifesting predominantly during the wetter winter months. An alternative hypothesis suggests that the name Cascade encapsulates a symbolic representation of the city's expeditious evolution.

Initially a penal colony and rapidly transitioning into a free settlement, Cascade surged to become New Duveland's second-largest settlement, eclipsed only by Tasbury. This swift development, akin to a cascading effect, underscores the city's historical significance. Despite the uncertainty surrounding its name's origin, Cascade's historical narrative weaves through its topography, from Mount Wilson's ephemeral falls to its pivotal role in New Duveland's history. Formerly known as Port Kingston, inspired by Kingston Bay's protective enclave and Port Wilson, the narrative decisively shifted in 1812 with the inauguration of the Cascade Post Office. This marked Cascade's formal proclamation and relegated alternative names to obscurity as the city rose to prominence.

Before European settlers arrived, the area now known as Cascade held cultural significance for the local Māori, named Waiora Roimata, translating to "Crystal Tears Waters." Beyond its literal meaning, the name is symbolically tied to the Rotomanu River. In Māori lore, this river is seen as the crystalline tears originating from majestic Mt McStanley (Maungakiritihi), the source of the river's primary tributary. Mt McStanley transforms into a revered presence, shedding tears that cascade down the slopes and manifest in the purity of the Rotomanu River. Māori legends may add spiritual or mythological elements to this natural phenomenon, revealing the depth of Māori understanding of their environment and the profound cultural significance they attach to geographical features, forming a repository of stories, myths, and collective memories. Waiora Roimata stands as a testament to the enduring connection between the Māori people and the landscapes they inhabited, predating Cascade's European history.

History

Before European settlement

the main Waiora Roimata village in what is now the suburb of Kanaku Bay, painted in 1805.

The history of the Cascade Region of Norfolk dates back to settlement by the Māori people in about the 14th century. While Cascade itself was known as Waiora Roimata for several hundred years at least, the greater Cascade Region around Kingston Bay were known to the Māori Te ātahua o Maui, that translates to "Maui's stopping place." This name carries cultural and mythological significance, referencing the legendary figure Maui from Maori mythology. It suggests that Maui used Cascade, of rather Kingston Bay as a stopping point on his journey to the New Duveland mainland, and restocked with supplies as Kingston Bay is naturally rich in resources.

The local Māori iwi would face fierce opposition from other iwi, largely for control of abundant natural resources in the area, namely the Bays fishing reserves, arable land and argillite quarries. The earliest iwi in the area are noted at being the Ngā Whetū o Rangi, Te Wairua Tūwharetoa, Ngā Taonga Whenua and Te Rākau Whakapapa. Ngā Whetū o Rangi people that developed the land around the Pigana Gardens, are believed to have been the first people to quarry argillite in around Cascade. They also developed much of the Pigana Gardens complex – more than 400 hectares on the Pigana Plains in what is now the northern suburbs of Cascade.

18th century

A print painting of what the original post stop and small village that was built in 1798 would have looked like.

Cascade's historical canvas was brushed by the presence of several early explorers, marking a pivotal chapter in its pre-European narrative. Jean-François de Surville stands out among them, etching his name as the first European to discern Norfolk as a distinct island, elucidating a geographical reality missed by earlier cartographers like Abel Tasman, who explored the southern coasts of the islands and the west coast of New Zealand's North Island. Surville's tenure, albeit short-lived, paved the way for subsequent exploration, with James Cook following suit on his second voyage a few years later. Cook, a luminary in maritime exploration, bestowed upon the annals of European knowledge the first insights into Kingston Bay, though he refrained from venturing deeper into Georges or Wilsons Bays.

This era of exploration saw the establishment of a modest post in what is now central Cascade in 1798, a testament to the strategic significance attributed to the region. This marked the symbolic claim of the entire island for the British Empire, an assertion that rippled across the geopolitical landscape of the time. These early forays into Cascade laid the foundation for subsequent waves of settlers, charting a trajectory that would shape the city's destiny as a pivotal settlement in Norfolk's historical tapestry.

19th century

The Géographe and Naturaliste of the Baudin expedition, 1803.

The Baudin expedition to Australia and New Duveland was the first to publish a full map of New Duveland, with explicit detail of Cascade (Then marked as Port Wilson) marked. The Freycinet Maps of 1811 sparked further explorer's and penal colonies to be set up in the area, in an attempt to thwart further French claims in the area, as the northern portion of the New Duveland would be claimed by France just three years later.

A print painting of some of the first ships arriving into Cascade, 1820.

The nascent trading post established in 1798 underwent a significant transformation in 1799, expanding its footprint to encompass a burgeoning penal colony on the opposite shore at Beauty Bay. This strategic move marked the genesis of what would evolve into the largest penal settlement in Norfolk and the second-largest in New Duveland. The corridors of this institution echoed with the stories of those serving sentences, the distant echoes of which would reverberate through Norfolk's history.

This penal enclave at Beauty Bay endured for over six decades, etching its narrative into the landscape and contributing to the shaping of Cascade's early character. As the tendrils of change wound their way through the penal system, the settlement closed its doors in 1860. The denizens, primarily individuals sentenced for relatively minor transgressions, found themselves released into the folds of the now-vibrant and liberated community of Cascade. This transition marked a transformative phase, symbolizing the evolution of a settlement that had begun as a strategic trading post and burgeoned into a diverse, free society, blending the threads of its complex past into the tapestry of New Duveland's unfolding history.

The Beauty Bay Penal Colony as seen in a print paining from 1812.

The New Duveland Company in London planned the free settlement of Cascade. They intended to buy from the Māori some 400,000 acres (1,620 km2) of land, which they planned to divide into two thousand lots and sell to intending settlers. The company earmarked profits to finance the free passage of artisans and labourers, with their families, and for the construction of public works. By October 1832 just over half of the lots had sold, setting the colony up for great success. The land was surveyed by Edmund Fairchild.

Ten ships would then sail from London under the command of Captain Archibald Wentworth. Arriving in New Duveland, they discovered that the new Governor of the colony, Reginald Hastings, would not give them a free hand to secure vast areas of land from the Māori or indeed to decide where to site the colony. However, after some delay, Hastings allowed the Company to investigate the Kingston Bay area on Norfolk's central west coast. The Company selected the site now occupied by Cascade because it had the best harbour in the area, plentiful arable land and reliable fresh water.

St Joseph's, Cascade's first church building, built in 1880.

The Company secured land from the Māori, that was not clearly defined, for £2,000: it included Cascade, Kingston, Hawapuke, Pigana and Rakopi. This allowed the settlement to begin, but the lack of definition would prove the source of much future conflict. The ten colony ships sailed into Cascade during the first week of March 1835. When the five first immigrant ships – Clipper, Resolve, Lord Hastings, Belle and Mary-Anne– arrived three months later, they found the town already laid out with streets, houses, tents, sheds, and even a dock. The town was laid out on a grid plan. Within 18 months, the Company had sent out 54 ships with 3156 men, 2616 women and 4152 children. However, fewer than 300 of the settlers had the capital to start as landowners.

After a brief initial period of prosperity, the settlement entered a prolonged period of relative depression. The labourers had to accept a cut in their wages. Organised immigration ceased (a state of affairs that continued until the 1850s). By the end of 1843, artisans and labourers began leaving Cascade; by 1846, some 10% of the immigrants had moved away.

The Kaihoka Affray left 50 settlers and 10 Māori dead, and worsened relations between the two groups for several years.

The pressure to expand into nearby arable land became intense. To the south-east of Kingston Bay lay the wide and fertile Kaihoka coastal plains. The New Duveland Company tried to claim that they had purchased the land. The Māori owners stated adamantly that the Kaihoka plains had not formed part of the original land sale, and made it clear they would resist any attempts by the settlers to occupy the area. The Cascade settlers led by Archibald Wentworth and Edmund Fairchild attempted to do just that. This resulted in the Kaihoka Affray, where 50 settlers and 10 Māori died. The subsequent Government inquiry exonerated the Māori and found that the Cascade settlers had no legitimate claim to any land outside Kingston Bay. Public fears of a Māori attack on Cascade led to the formation of the Cascade Battalion of Militia in 1845.

20th century

The 1932 Cascade Earthquake left the city and it's suburbs devastated, registered as a magnitude of 7.8

By 1901, the city had reached a population of 100,000, marking a significant milestone in its development. However, despite this early growth, the trajectory of Cascade's expansion would be profoundly impacted by a series of seismic events over the decades. These earthquakes not only led to the reconstruction of damaged areas but also prompted a shift in demographic patterns as residents sought more stable locations. Consequently, the urban sprawl that might have concentrated in Cascade dispersed to other burgeoning cities across Norfolk, notably in Paparoa, Albany, Oxford, and Belmont. This seismic-induced dispersal resulted in Cascade evolving into one of the least centralized capitals in the country, as its growth dynamics adjusted to the challenges posed by natural forces.

The Palace Theatre was and still is a local landmark since it opened in 1914, and is one of the few surviving structures in the inner city.

Cascade commenced its electrification journey with the inauguration of the Smith Lake hydroelectric scheme in April 1902. This significant development marked a transformative era for the city, as the hum of electricity began to pervade its streets and homes. With the completion of the hydroelectric project, Cascade witnessed a momentous occasion in May 1902—the activation of the first electric lights. The advent of electricity not only illuminated the city but also revolutionized daily life, bringing newfound conveniences and transforming the nocturnal landscape of Cascade. The successful implementation of the Smith Lake hydroelectric scheme ushered in an era of technological progress, fundamentally altering the urban experience for the residents of Cascade.

Much of the city was reconstructed during the 20th century, leading to a heavy car dependent city.

Following the extensive reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the 1932 earthquake, a significant urban development unfolded in Cascade, marking a transformative moment in the city's history. In 1935, the landscape of Cascade evolved with the installation of the first set of traffic lights at the intersection of Victoria and Wilson Streets. This milestone not only symbolized the resilience of the city in overcoming natural disasters but also reflected a broader commitment to modernization and urban planning. The introduction of traffic lights played a crucial role in enhancing traffic management, fostering safer intersections, and contributing to the city's evolving transportation infrastructure.

The Victoria Street clock tower in Central Cascade has miraculously survived all major earthquakes, and has since been renovated significantly to ensure future structural stability.

In the late 1930s, a visionary endeavour materialized as Cascade's inaugural airport took flight after meticulous planning spanning several years. The city's first airport, inaugurated in 1938, represented a pivotal milestone in the region's aviation history. This initial airfield, born out of a collective vision for modern transportation infrastructure, would undergo continuous development over the years, evolving into the prominent Cascade International Airport. By 1950, this airport achieved yet another milestone by becoming Norfolk's inaugural international airport, positioning Cascade as a key hub for both domestic and international air travel.

Built as part of the city's reconstruction efforts after the 1970 earthquake, the Mt. Kingston Tower covers the city's telecommunications needs and has also become one of the most known landmarks of the city.

Cascade has weathered its share of seismic challenges, with some of the most significant earthquakes, such as those in 1932, 1944, and 1970, causing widespread destruction to the city's older structures. In response to these seismic events, Cascade implemented some of the strictest building regulations in the country, prioritizing safety and resilience in its urban development. The aftermath of these earthquakes prompted an extensive reconstruction effort in the 1970s and 1980s, shaping the city's architectural identity. The rebuilding process unfolded with a distinctive vision, and many of Cascade's iconic landmarks and public buildings were reconstructed in the bold and imposing style of brutalism. This architectural choice not only reflected a commitment to durability but also bestowed upon the city a unique and unparalleled urban landscape, setting Cascade apart from other cities in New Duveland.

Two Bays Bridge looking from the city centre connects the CBD directly to Cascade's free way network.

During the transformative era from the 1960s to the 1980s, urban renewal initiatives shaped Cascade's landscape, albeit with a focus on road networks that garnered mixed sentiments from the public. A comprehensive plan envisioned a freeway network extending from Georges Point to the city center, with initial intentions to traverse much of the bayfront parkland. While the central component, the Two Bays Bridge, materialized as planned, connecting the city with architectural grace, the proposed freeway over the parkland faced public dissent and was ultimately abandoned. Instead, the free way concluded at the city's CBD periphery, culminating in a sprawling roundabout. At the heart of this circular juncture, a monument rose to commemorate and honour the city's residents, solidifying the citizens' enduring role in shaping Cascade's evolving urban narrative.

21st century

The city has seen intense urban renewal projects, with the city's old docklands being redeveloped from 2010.

Cascade has experienced sustained growth and prosperity well into the 21st century, marked by substantial urban renewal initiatives across the city. A notable transformation occurred in the docklands area, which underwent redevelopment into a densely populated mixed-use suburb following the relocation of the Port of Cascade to a deeper section of Georges Bay in 2010. This redevelopment encompasses key projects such as the twin residential Kōtaha Towers, the Ngāwāotetau Complex, and the East Pier Precinct. Of particular significance is East Pier Tower 1, surpassing Cascade Place after three decades to become Norfolk's tallest building.

Entering the 21st century, Cascade's demographic landscape has undergone substantial changes. While the city stands as the most diverse in Norfolk, its diversity is relatively less pronounced than in other capital cities. However, the city has experienced a notable surge in immigration since the early 2000s, driven by the appeal of more affordable property prices compared to the mainland and the availability of abundant land. Notably, there has been a significant influx of immigrants from various Asian ethnicities, with Indians and Chinese constituting 9.5% and 8.7% of the population, respectively. This demographic shift reflects Cascade's evolving cultural composition and its increasing attractiveness as a destination for new residents.

The city's tram network returned in 2015 after six decades.

Concurrently with the Docklands redevelopment, Cascade has directed attention towards enhancing its transit options. Notably, the city's tram network, which had been dormant for nearly six decades, was reinstated and has since witnessed continuous expansion. Presently, three tram lines operate in the inner-city suburbs, incorporating restored heritage carriages alongside a contemporary fleet of newly manufactured trams. In tandem, the city's rail network, Cascade Link, has broadened its services to encompass outer suburbs, facilitating multiple daily rail connections through N/Line services to Paparoa, Albany, and Oxford via Belmont. To further advance Cascade's commitment to expanding cycle infrastructure, additional cycle and pedestrian access have been integrated on both sides of the Two Bays Bridge, contributing to the city's comprehensive transportation goals.

Geography

Cascade from a satellite view.

Cascade is situated on a expansive natural harbor, bifurcated into two bays at its narrowest point – Georges Bay and Wilsons Bay. These bays are connected to the larger Kingston Bay to the south through the Stielglitz Strait and the smaller Burns Bay at the strait's mouth. The city's western outer suburbs extend to the coast of the Bellona Strait, the waterway separating Norfolk from the New Duveland mainland. The northern suburbs ascend to Tresco, located in a spacious valley between Mt. Ngatea to the west and Mt. Kaikora to the east, the latter being a spur of the extensive Kingston Ranges. To the east, the prominent Mt McStanley/Moekararehe dominates the city's skyline. Extending south-east, the suburbs reach halfway down Kingston Bay to Rakopi, where the landscape transitions into a coastal plain. Cascade's geographical features present a diverse blend of bays, straits, mountains, and plains, shaping its distinctive urban and natural panorama.

The central city of Cascade is characterized by a hilly terrain, featuring various elevations that divide the landscape. Prominent hills in the area include Mount Wilson, Mt. Kingston, Dogger Hill, Horseshoe Hill, Mt Takuta, and Pere Hill. These hills contribute to the city's topographical diversity, creating distinct zones and offering panoramic views of the surroundings. The suburbs of Cascade are interspersed throughout these hills, creating a cityscape that blends urban development with natural elevations. The undulating topography adds to the city's geographic appeal and has influenced the layout and design of neighbourhoods as they extend into the spaces between these hills.

Urban layout

Cascade's city centre has a mismatched grid layout, wrapping around a Central Park.

Cascade's urban area is approximately 1,150.4 km2, with an overall density of 640.61 people per km2, the second densest in New Duveland behind Macquarie. The city's central business district as a mix of Grid networks focused on a central park, forming the nucleus of Cascade's central business district (CBD). The grid's southern edge fronts onto Georges and Wilsons Bays. More recent office, commercial and public developments in the adjoining districts of Docklands have made these areas into extensions of the CBD in all but name. A byproduct of the CBD's layout is its network of lanes and arcades, such as Kingston Arcade and Royal Arcade.

Cascade's CBD is the most densely populated area in Norfolk, with approximately 12,000 residents per square kilometre, and is home to most of the city's high-rise developments, with a small growing number found in the city's Docklands.

The City's Botanical Gardens, just outside the CBD, is the largest urban park in the city.

The CBD and surrounds also contain many significant historic buildings such as the Norfolk War Memorial, Norfolk University's Cascade Campus, St John's Cathedral, the Cascade Courthouse, Cascade Central Station, Cascade City Hall and Parliament House, Cascade. Although the area is described as the centre, it is not actually the demographic centre of Cascade at all, due to an urban sprawl to the southeast, the demographic centre being located at Dora Valley. Cascade is typical of New Duveland's capital cities in that after the turn of the 20th century, it expanded with the underlying notion of a 'quarter acre home and garden' for every family, often referred to locally as the New Duvelander Dream, although several earthquakes hindered this development, and spread the growth to other cities and towns around Norfolk. This, coupled with the popularity of the private automobile after 1945, led to the auto-centric urban structure now present today in the outer suburbs. Much of outer metropolitan Cascade is accordingly characterised by low-density sprawl, whilst its inner-city areas feature predominantly medium-density, transit-oriented urban forms. The city centre and the Docklands areas feature high-density forms.

There is an abundance of parks and gardens in Cascade, many close to the CBD with a variety of common and rare plant species amid landscaped vistas, pedestrian pathways and tree-lined avenues. Cascade's parks are often considered some of the best public parks in all of New DUveland's major cities. There are also many parks in the surrounding suburbs of Cascade, such as in the municipalities of Bellona, Cascade North and Stielglitz, close to the central business district. Several national parks have been designated around the urban area of Cascade, including the Mt. Ngatea National Park, Mt. Kaikora National Park and Kingston Bay National Park in the southeast. There are also a number of significant provincial parks just outside Cascade. The extensive area covered by urban Cascade is formally divided into dozens of suburbs (for addressing and postal purposes), and administered as local government areas, 5 of which are located within the metropolitan area.

Gallery

• 
  Beauty Bay, north western suburbs
• 
  Dora Valley, inner South
• 
  Goshen Mill, northern suburbs
• 
  Humbug, inner east
• 
  Kanaku, southern eastern suburbs
• 
  Mariposi, south western suburbs
• 
  Newstead, western suburbs
• 
  Sterling, inner north
• 
  Waitātea, south eastern suburbs

Architecture

A Brutalist apartment tower in the inner city area.

Cascade, subject to frequent reconstruction in the 20th century, retains scant remnants of its earliest buildings. Only a select few structures, including the Palace Theatre, Victoria Street clock tower, St John's Cathedral, St Mary's Cathedral, the Cascade Courthouse, and a modest row of terraced houses in St Helens, have withstood the test of time, albeit bearing scars from various seismic encounters. The city's architectural resilience in the face of earthquake hazards is underscored by the implementation of some of the nation's most rigorous building regulations, emphasizing safety and resilience in its urban development.

In the aftermath of the significant earthquake in 1932, Cascade underwent a substantial architectural metamorphosis, with much of the city reconstructed in a blend of gothic and art-deco styles. Prominent landmarks like Cascade Central Station, Cascade City Hall, and Parliament House, Cascade emerged as enduring symbols of this architectural renaissance. The late 1970s and 1980s witnessed a global surge in brutalist design, influencing the reconstruction of many of Cascade's iconic structures, including Norfolk Stadium Station and much of the central city's offices and other private buildings. This era solidified Cascade's skyline as one of the most emblematic 'Brutalist' cityscapes globally. In contemporary endeavours, such as the iconic Cascade Place skyscraper, modern architects harmonize historical resilience with futuristic aspirations, infusing art-deco elements into the design.

Gallery

• 
  The Norfolk War Memorial
• 
  The Norfolk University's Cascade Campus is the oldest in Norfolk.
• 
  St John's Cathedral
• 
  A modern interpretation of a Gothic Art Deco styled apartment building, Cascade city centre.
• 
  The Cascade Courthouse
• 
  Terraced row homes in St Helens
• 
  Cascade Central Station is the busiest station in Norfolk
• 
  Norfolk Stadium Station is directly linked to Norfolk Stadium.
• 
  St Mary's Cathedral
• 
  Mixed use terraces in Cascade's city centre

Housing

Cascade's newer outer suburbs are heavily car-dependant.

The seismic activity in Cascade, while diminishing the city's suburban expanse, has contributed to the preservation of existing terraced suburbs like Humbug and Dora Valley. This influence has, in turn, shaped newer developments on the city's periphery, fostering a preference for terrace-style mixed-use constructions over the conventional detached dwellings prevalent in other parts of New Duveland. Consequently, Cascade stands out as one of the country's most densely populated cities, ranking second only to Macquarie. The city's architectural choices reflect a deliberate departure from the sprawl seen in other urban areas, showcasing a distinct emphasis on mixed-use, higher-density living arrangements in response to both seismic considerations and evolving urban planning trends.

Climate

Cascade features an oceanic climate characterized by its moist and temperate nature. During the summer, the city experiences average afternoon temperatures ranging from 21–22 °C (70–72 °F) and nighttime temperatures between 12–13 °C (54–55 °F). Winters in Cascade are mild, with average afternoon temperatures of 13–14 °C (55–57 °F) and nighttime temperatures around 5–6 °C (41–43 °F). The city's climate is conducive to moderate temperatures throughout the year.

Cascade receives an average annual rainfall of 1,432 mm (56.4 in), contributing to its lush and green surroundings. Notably, on 15 August 2011, a rare occurrence transpired when snowfall was recorded in Cascade, described as a once-in-a-generation event. In 2021, a Cascade site earned the distinction of being the sunniest in the country, recording an impressive 2592 sunshine hours. This climatic variability adds a unique dimension to Cascade's weather patterns, making it a city with diverse meteorological characteristics.

Climate data for Cascade (1981–2010)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	30.6 (87.1)	29.5 (85.1)	29.0 (84.2)	24.9 (76.8)	21.7 (71.1)	19.8 (67.6)	18.0 (64.4)	19.9 (67.8)	21.6 (70.9)	22.3 (72.1)	26.4 (79.5)	29.9 (85.8)	30.6 (87.1)
Average high °C (°F)	21.7 (71.1)	22.1 (71.8)	20.9 (69.6)	18.6 (65.5)	16.0 (60.8)	14.0 (57.2)	13.3 (55.9)	14.0 (57.2)	15.0 (59.0)	16.1 (61.0)	18.1 (64.6)	19.9 (67.8)	17.5 (63.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)	17.8 (64.0)	18.0 (64.4)	16.8 (62.2)	14.5 (58.1)	12.2 (54.0)	10.4 (50.7)	9.5 (49.1)	10.3 (50.5)	11.5 (52.7)	12.8 (55.0)	14.5 (58.1)	16.3 (61.3)	13.7 (56.7)
Average low °C (°F)	13.8 (56.8)	13.9 (57.0)	12.7 (54.9)	10.4 (50.7)	8.5 (47.3)	6.8 (44.2)	5.8 (42.4)	6.6 (43.9)	8.0 (46.4)	9.5 (49.1)	10.9 (51.6)	12.7 (54.9)	10.0 (50.0)
Record low °C (°F)	4.2 (39.6)	2.8 (37.0)	2.6 (36.7)	0.0 (32.0)	−0.8 (30.6)	−2.4 (27.7)	−2.6 (27.3)	−2.3 (27.9)	−2.2 (28.0)	−0.1 (31.8)	1.2 (34.2)	2.1 (35.8)	−2.6 (27.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	114.5 (4.51)	85.4 (3.36)	126.5 (4.98)	125.4 (4.94)	97.1 (3.82)	152.6 (6.01)	131.1 (5.16)	117.2 (4.61)	104.8 (4.13)	117.8 (4.64)	100.3 (3.95)	113.1 (4.45)	1,398 (55.04)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm)	8.9	7.7	9.8	9.8	12.3	13.6	12.6	13.4	12.6	14.1	10.5	9.5	135.5
Average relative humidity (%)	80.9	82.5	81.8	82.4	85.4	86.1	85.7	84.4	82.7	82.8	80.1	81.4	83.1
Mean monthly sunshine hours	248.4	225.0	212.8	177.8	143.9	118.1	138.0	162.7	162.6	189.6	206.9	211.6	2,197.2
Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Liveability

Infill Apartment developments have alleviated the city's housing crisis.

Cascade consistently earns high marks as one of the world's most liveable cities. However, the city falls behind its New Duveland counterparts in assessments of cultural and infrastructural aspects. This phenomenon is often attributed to Cascade's relative overshadowing by larger cities in the region. Despite its unparalleled quality of life, the city's cultural and infrastructural offerings may not receive as much recognition on a national scale due to the prominence of its larger counterparts. It's essential to recognize that the city's excellence in liability stands as a hallmark, even if certain facets might not receive equal acknowledgment in broader comparative evaluations within the country.

The city has leveraged its smaller status to its advantage, notably escaping the widespread housing crises experienced by many other urban centres in the country. This success can be attributed in part to Norfolk's Housing Affordability Scheme, a strategic initiative that facilitated substantial Infill development across Cascade's suburbs. The city achieved this by implementing a zoning shift that supported high-density developments within a 1-kilometer radius of tram and train stops, subject to specific local overshadowing requirements. As a result of these measures, Cascade has experienced significant growth, driven by internal migration from provinces in New Duveland grappling with severe housing challenges. This unique approach to urban planning has positioned Cascade as a model for effective housing solutions in a country grappling with broader housing issues.

Governance

Cascade City Hall is home to the local government of the city.

Cascade, like the rest of New Duveland, is governed by three levels of government: local, provincial, and federal. Locally, like other capital cities, the metropolitan area is controlled by a single local government area, the City of Cascade, and was formed by the merged of 10 local government areas in the 1970s. The remainder of the metropolitan area falls into the LGAs of City of Rakopi to the south, City of Waiau to the north-east and the Tresco City to the north.

Each LGA is governed under a similar structure, including a directly elected mayor (including the Lord Mayor of Cascade), as well as a council composed of councillors representing geographical wards. Cascade City Hall is the seat of the Cascade City Council, the governing corporation of the City of Cascade LGA, and the bulk of its executive offices are located at Putunga Plaza in the city's CBD.

Parliament House, Cascade is home to the government of Norfolk.

As the capital city of Norfolk, Cascade is home to the Parliament of Norfolk at Parliament House at Central Park in the middle of the CBD. Norfolk's current Government House is located in Humbug. The bulk of the provincial government's executive offices are located at the NMC Tower. The Norfolk Supreme and District courts are located at the Queen Elizabeth II Courts of Law in Williams Street, while the Magistrates court is located at the adjacent Cascade Magistrates Court building. The various federal courts are located at the Commonwealth Law Courts building at Civic Square.

Politics

Kauri Thompson is the current Lord Mayor of Cascade.

Greater Cascade is represented by four local government areas (LGAs): the City of Cascade, City of Rakopi, City of Waiau, and Tresco City. The city of Cascade is by far the largest and the most populated of the four, and Cascade City Council 24 members: 23 councillors elected from single-member wards and one directly elected Lord Mayor.

n the Norfolk Legislative Assembly, Cascade is represented by 21 single-member electoral districts out of Norfolk's total of 55 seats. In the House of Representatives, Cascade is represented by 4 single-member electoral divisions.

Cascade has a diverse political climate. On the federal level, the centre-right Liberal Party holds one Cascade-based seat, the centre-left Labor Party holds three. The Greens, while holding no seats, have grown in popularity in recent years and and two second favourite of two-party preferred within the City of Cascade. On the provincial level, Labor holds the vast majority of Cascade-based seats with 13, while the Liberals hold just five and the Greens hold three. On the local level, Labor hold the Lord Mayoralty of Cascade (with Kauri Thompson as Lord Mayor) and 13 of the 23 wards of the City of Cascade, while the Liberals holds seven, the Greens with two and an independent hold one.

Demography

Cascade is home to 40% of all Norfolkers.

Cascade is New Duveland's 7th largest city, with an estimated resident population of 736,965 in the Greater Cascade area as of 2024. Growing about 2.5% within a year, on par with the national average. Of all capitals, Cascade contains the lowest share of the population of the province, with just 38% of Norfolkers living in the city. This is mainly due to earthquakes in the city's history, which has in turn spread the growth to other cities in Norfolk such as Paparoa, Albany, Oxford, and Belmont that would have otherwise been focused on Cascade.

Ancestry and immigration

Cascade has a higher percentage of residents with European ancestry than the national average, with approximately 70% of its residents identifying as having European heritage. Of this group, 80% are born in New Duveland, while the remaining 20% come from various other countries, primarily the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. The city's Māori population constitutes around 15% of the total, with 90% of these individuals born in New Duveland and 10% originating from New Zealand. People of Asian descent represent the third largest demographic at 10%, with the majority hailing from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India. Pacific people account for 3.5% of the population, and 1.5% are categorized as "other." This diverse demographic composition reflects the multicultural nature of Cascade, contributing to its rich cultural landscape.

Language

St Mary's Cathedral is a symbol of the city's Catholic community.

English is the primary language spoken in Cascade, with approximately 80% of residents using only English at home. Despite the city's official trilingual status, which includes Māori and French, fewer than 5% of residents reported using either of these languages in their households. The linguistic diversity of the city is further enriched by the presence of other commonly spoken languages such as Mandarin, Punjabi, Vietnamese, and Cantonese. This multilingual environment reflects the city's diverse population and the influence of immigration on its cultural and linguistic landscape.

Religion

According to the 2024 census, approximately 48.5% of Cascade's residents affiliated with Christianity, while 11.7% identified with non-Christian religions. Around 37.8% of the population reported being irreligious, and 3.8% chose not to disclose their religious affiliation. Roman Catholicism is the predominant Christian denomination, with 13.3% of the population identifying as Catholic, followed by Anglicanism at 9.1% and Presbyterianism at 7.4%.

The city’s religious landscape has been further diversified by recent immigration from Asia, which has increased the number of residents practising Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Additionally, Cascade is home to a small, long-established Jewish community. This diverse religious composition reflects the multicultural nature of Cascade, although specific figures on religious attendance are not available.

Economy

Alumina refinery in New Haven.

By virtue of its population and role as the administrative centre for business and government, Cascade dominates Norfolk's economy, despite having less than 40% of the total population and the major mining and agricultural export industries being located elsewhere in the province. Cascade's function as the provinces's capital city, its economic base and population size have also created development opportunities for many other businesses oriented to local or more diversified markets. Cascade's economy has been changing in favour of the service industries since the 1950s. Although one of the major sets of services it provides is related to the resources industry and, to a lesser extent, agriculture, most people in Cascade are not connected to either; they have jobs that provide services to other people in Cascade.

Industrial employment influenced the economic geography of Cascade. After WWII, Cascade experienced suburban expansion aided by high levels of car ownership. Workforce decentralisation and transport improvements made it possible for the establishment of small-scale manufacturing in the suburbs. Many firms took advantage of relatively cheap land to build spacious, single-storey plants in suburban locations with plentiful parking, easy access and minimal traffic congestion. "The former close ties of manufacturing with near-central and/or rail-side locations were loosened."

Defence industry

The Cascade-built Tasman-class submarine HMNDS Rankin entering Pearl Harbor, August 2004.

Cascade hosts a significant portion of New Duveland's defence industries, which contribute over A$1 billion to Norfolk's Gross State Product. The principal government military research institution, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), is located east of St Leonards along the coast of Georges Bay. This area, known as "St Leonards Park," is also home to other major defence technology organizations, including BAE Systems New Duveland and Lockheed Martin New Duveland. Adjacent to this hub is the Georges Bay RNDAF Base, further cementing Cascade's role as a central location for defence-related activities and technological advancements in New Duveland.

Other significant defence industry players, such as Saab Systems and Raytheon, are located in or near Technology Park. NDSC Pty Ltd, also part of Technology Park, is based in the industrial suburb of Scotsman Hill. Norfolk has been tasked with constructing New Duveland's Tasman-class submarines and has more recently secured a A$6 billion contract to build the Royal New Duveland Navy's new air-warfare destroyers. These projects underscore Norfolk's pivotal role in the nation's defence manufacturing sector, contributing significantly to the local economy and advancing New Duveland's naval capabilities.

Education

the University of Norfolk St Mary's building in the central Cascade campus.

Cascade is home to the main campus of the University of Norfolk, located at Horseshoe Hill, and Cascade University located just north of the city's central business district. Student accommodation is available on-site and surrounding mixed-use apartment towers. The Catholic University of New Duveland laos

The Greater Cascade area contains 144 primary, 33 secondary schools and colleges distributed throughout Cascade, Rakopi, Waiau and Tresco City Councils. These schools are made up of a mix of public, catholic, private and independent run, with the heaviest distribution lying in the more densely populated eastern around the Cascade city core. Norfolk College operates a total of 20 polytechnic campuses within the Greater Cascade area that provide vocational education and training. These schools cater to roughly 100,000 students across the city. The majority are state schools, but 26 schools are state-integrated and 16 are private.

Culture

Arts

Norfolk War Memorial commemorates Norfolk's involvement in past wars.

The Palace Theatre, a local landmark, is considered the birthplace of Cascade's performing arts scene, which has influenced the surrounding areas to gradually include various orchestras, ballet companies, and comedy clubs, thereby enriching the city's cultural landscape. Significant cultural institutions in Cascade include the Cascade Art Gallery, the Norfolk War Memorial, the Norfolk Maritime Museum, the Museum of the Royal New Duveland Navy, and the Museum of Transport and Technology. The Cascade Art Gallery, the largest stand-alone gallery in Norfolk, houses a collection of over 10,000 artworks. This collection features works by prominent New Duveland and Pacific Island artists, as well as international paintings, sculptures, and prints dating from 14th century to the present day. These institutions play a crucial role in preserving and promoting the artistic, historical, and technological heritage of the city and its surrounding region.

Television and Radio

The city is served by numerous free-to-air television channels, with NDBC, NDSBS, Network Two, 10 Network and Channel 6 being the most popular. All of which are broadcast in both high-definition digital and standard-definition digital television services in Cascade. All major networks share a main transmission origin, Mt. Kingston Tower, just east of the city's CBD. Other transmission towers exist in the outer suburbs. Analog television was shut down in 2013.

Over 15 major radio stations serve the metropolitan area, five commercial stations, five community stations, four national stations and one narrowcast station.

Annual events

A drone show at the 2023 Cascade Festival.

The Cascade Royal Show, established in 1839, is an annual agricultural show and state fair held at the Sterling Racecourse. It is the longest-running major annual event in the city and is celebrated with a public holiday on the Friday of August to facilitate widespread attendance. To accommodate the influx of visitors, Sterling railway station features an additional platform providing direct public transit access to Norfolk Stadium and Cascade Central. On event days, this platform operates as a separate 'event' line, ensuring efficient transportation for attendees. The Cascade Royal Show has become a significant cultural and social event, drawing large crowds and showcasing the region's agricultural heritage and community spirit.

The Cascade Festival, held every September, is a major annual event taking place in the city's Docklands, Central Business District (CBD), and surrounding areas. A highlight of the festival is the "Bayfire" display, which features both fireworks and, more recently, a drone show. This spectacle can be viewed from various vantage points across the city and its environs, attracting large crowds. The festival encompasses a wide range of activities and events, celebrating the cultural and social vibrancy of Cascade. The inclusion of innovative displays like "Bayfire" reflects the festival's blend of tradition and modernity, making it a key event in the city's cultural calendar.

Sport

Norfolk Stadium is the largest stadium in the city.

Rugby union, cricket, rugby league, association football (soccer) and netball are widely played and followed sports in Cascade. The city boasts numerous facilities dedicated to these sports, including a substantial number of rugby union and cricket grounds. Additionally, Cascade provides venues for a variety of other sports such as basketball, hockey, ice hockey, motor-sports, tennis, badminton, swimming, rowing, and golf. The largest stadium in the city, Norfolk Stadium, is located just north-west of the city centre and accommodates up to 50,000 spectators. This stadium hosts major rugby union, cricket, and football (soccer) matches, serving as a central hub for significant sporting events in Cascade. The comprehensive range of sports facilities underscores the city's vibrant and diverse sports culture.

Cascade is home to three racecourses: Sterling, Kanaku, and Moulting Park. Sterling Racecourse, renowned for hosting the Cascade Royal Show and the Cascade Cup, is a prominent venue for thoroughbred racing. Kanaku Racecourse also specializes in thoroughbred racing and contributes to the city's vibrant equestrian sports scene. Moulting Park, on the other hand, is dedicated to harness racing, offering a distinct type of racing experience. Additionally, a fourth racecourse is situated in Tresco, on the northern outer fringe of the city, further expanding the range of racing activities available to enthusiasts and visitors in Cascade.

Infrastructure

Transport

Electric Tilt Trains connect Cascade to regional centres across Norfolk.

Car is the dominant mode of transport in Cascade, with over 60% of people using it as their sole mode of travelling to work. The city has an extensive network of arterial roads that link coastal suburbs with inland suburbs. In recent years, local and state governments have invested money in transport infrastructure to combat the increasing congestion on many of the city's roads. As such, the public transport system has been extended over the years to upkeep with population growth, including buses, heavy rail and light rail for commuting to work, visiting attractions, and travelling to other destinations.

Road

A number of major roads and highways connect the city to the rest of Norfolk, including the A1 Autoroute's Norfolk section, where it connects the city to Albany to the west, and Paparoa and Oxford to the north. At A17 also connects the city to Albany through the Kingston Ranges, and the A37 acts as an outer bypass of the city.

Heavy Rail

The city's suburban railway network is operated by CascadeLink, with NLine services for regional travel.

Cascade is served by an extensive metro system known as CascadeLink, which consists of three lines operated by N/Line, a government-owned entity since the network was returned to public ownership in 2000. The network includes 76 stations and is centred around the core area between Cascade Central Stration and Norfolk Stadium Station, where all three lines converge and allow passengers to interchange with regional N/Line trains that terminate at Cascade Central. The network spans the entire metropolitan area, extending to the northern shores of Kingston Bay and its surrounding regions. Passengers can connect to regional N/Line services at five stations: Tresco, Norfolk Stadium, Cascade Central, Taylors Beach, and Rakopi, although all regional lines ultimately terminate at Cascade Central. This arrangement facilitates seamless travel for regional commuters from Paparoa, Oxford, Redford and Albany. Additionally, a future NDLoop connection, expected to be operational by 2035, will further enhance connectivity by linking Cascade Central directly to Paparoa as part of the mainland's network reconfiguration.

A new 170 series arriving at Civic Square in the city centre.

Light Rail

In 2015, Cascade reopened its tram network, which had been dormant for nearly six decades. Since its reinstatement, the tram network has undergone continuous expansion and currently comprises three lines serving the inner-city suburbs. The network features a combination of restored heritage carriages and a contemporary fleet of newly manufactured trams, providing both a nod to the city's historical transportation methods and the benefits of modern transit technology. The reintroduction and subsequent growth of the tram system aim to enhance urban mobility and reduce congestion in Cascade's central areas.

Bus

A comprehensive bus network connects the rest of the city's suburbs where heavy and light rail do not. There are various hubs in the city, with each N/Line station having a major bus interchange adjacent to the stations, as well as all other interchange and end of line stations in the network such as at The Basin, Horseshoe Hill and Four Miles Beach. Bus routes cover a wide area, and operate at low frequencies off-peak, with the consequence that bus travel is not competitive with travel by car, because routes are often lengthy and indirect, meaning that passengers can take a long time to reach their final destination. This is attributed to little to no bus only lanes throughout the city, and a tram and rail network that is much more efficient.

Water

Cascade is connected to the mainland by the Norfolk Line that includes 2 ferry lines, with a total of 4 ships.

Cascade Quay serves as a hub for several private and public ferry operators catering to commuter, tourist, and leisure purposes. Destinations accessible from Cascade Quay includeGeorges Bay near Newstead railway station, Stockyards, and Airport West. Additionally, regional connections to the mainland in McKenzie are available, with two Norfolk Line ferry routes linking Cascade with Connacht and Lucan (Wexford). These ferries operate daily and accommodate both passenger and freight transport, allowing residents from both Norfolk and the mainland to travel with their vehicles. The ferry services have become popular among locals and tourists, providing a versatile transportation option that supports both local commuting and regional travel. The Connacht line runs connectively once a day from either side, with both ships leaving at the same time in the morning, and arriving in the early evening, taking roughly 9 hours total. The shorter route to Lucan operates twice daily, taking 4 hours each way, with the ships leaving in the morning, arriving at the other side in the early afternoon, and then reloads and leaves again for the evening.

Airports

Inside the newly refurbished terminal building in 2015.

Cascade International Airport is located in the south-western suburb of the same name, and is the busiest and principal airport of Norfolk. Served by 2 domestic and 5 international airlines, and approaching 6 million domestic passengers utilizing the airport every year. The airport maintains a conjoined international and domestic terminal. The major airlines servicing the airport are Air New Duveland, Kapua Airlines and Lapérouse Airlines that operate domestic flights predominantly to Tasbury, Lisburn, Macquarie and Espérance. International flights to Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand, operate daily, and Christchurch two to three times weekly with Air New Zealand. Flights to Sydney and Melbourne operate daily, sometimes twice daily during busy periods with various flights from Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia available. Due to the airport being located inside the city's suburbs, it has to operate with a curfew from 11:00pm to 6:00am. Due to Cascade's location on an island away from the mainland, it actually is busier than Toulon's International Airport. The airport is also directly connected to the city's metro network via an underground station.

Health

Inside the newly refurbished terminal building in 2015.

Royal Cascade Hospital is a major public healthcare facility located in central Cascade, providing 1,000 beds and serving as a teaching hospital affiliated with Norfolk University. Adjacent to Royal Cascade Hospital is the Cascade Private Hospital, which is operated by TotalCare, a for-profit company that manages private hospitals, medical centres, and rehabilitation hospitals throughout New Duveland. The close proximity of these two hospitals facilitates a comprehensive range of medical services and offers patients access to both public and private healthcare options.

TotalCare operates an additional four private hospitals and clinics throughout the suburbs of Cascade, complementing the city's healthcare infrastructure. Alongside these private facilities, there are six public hospitals providing a wide range of medical services to the community. Cascade Children's Hospital stands out as the province's only specialist children's hospital, offering dedicated pediatric care. Additionally, Dora Valley Hospital serves a unique role as the sole public stand-alone psychiatric teaching hospital in the region, specializing in mental health services and education.

Sister cities

Country	City	Date
United Kingdom	Cardiff	1956
Azoria	Costada	1963
New Zealand	Dunedin	1952
Australia	Hobart	1963