The history behind some of Perth’s major suburbs
After the discovery of the Swan River by Dutch captain Willem de Vlamingh in 1697, it was more than a hundred years later that the founding of the Swan River Colony commenced. Settlers arrived in 1829 to find a barren landscape, no established buildings, or land even allocated yet. From there onwards, Perth was slowly established.
The Swan River played a major role in defining the boundaries of Perth, the WA capital. Due to its access to fresh water and river transportation facility, the site was destined to be developed. Other deciding factors were the ease of availability of building materials, pleasant views that the Darling Scarp provided, and security that Mount Eliza provided from any naval attacks.
Kalgoorlie, east to northeast of Perth, was destined to become the leading gold mining region in Australia, thanks to the discovery of gold there in 1893, and British funding. The gold mining boom began the following year and more people started to come to Western Australia to find their fortune. Land began to be developed for residential housing in the suburbs of the capital – where miners’ families started building their homes.
Castle Hill Estate, located in Bicton, adjacent to the Swan River, was bought in 1921 and subdivided into over 600 residential lots, and sold. However, the early days of property development differ from today in that there was less intervention from the government and limited restrictions. Changes came about, however, after the Land Act 1933 was passed where the government extended development expenses to the developers, making them financially responsible for the required sewers, drainage, water, electricity lines and footpaths.
The housing boom that came about in the early 2000s is still in full swing and has given a familiar sense of prosperity to the times of the gold rush, with the development of modern, well-structured communities in Perth.
If you’re looking for a stunning block of land or a home in a serene part of Perth, contact the professionals in property development. Write your own family history in the historically-rich region of Western Australia