Watermans Bay, Western Australia
Encyclopedia
Watermans Bay is a northern coastal suburb of Perth
, the capital city of Western Australia
. Its Local Government Area
is the City of Stirling.
in 1837 and built a summer home just south of Waterman called "The Castle" in 1865, where their large family as well as the Perth elite congregated for summer holidays. Many of the street names in the suburb honour members of the Hamersley family
, including Ethel, Margaret, Mary and Ada.
Originally set aside as a timber reserve, the area was first settled by pastoralists in the 1860s. It served as a stopping point and watering hole along the Coastal Stock Route between Dongara
(near Geraldton) and Fremantle
. Cattle drovers frequented the area and Afghan camel drivers were a common sight after the opening of the goldfields in the 1890s.
In 1908, the first house in modern-day Waterman was built by a fisherman, Alfred Waterman, who named his house "Zephyr". The beach front adjacent to his house became known as Watermans Bay, which became a popular fishing spot. The only way into the area at this time was via a wooden block road built by convicts (later Wanneroo Road
) and then along a limestone track to North Beach, although numerous tracks through the bushland were developed as time progressed.
In 1918, the area was subdivided as the Mt Flora Estates, but initial development was largely limited to holiday shacks. After World War II, the area developed rapidly, and in 1954, the Postal District of Watermans Bay was approved. By 1961, nearly all of the existing suburb had been built and settled.
Bushland Reserve is a bushland reserve occupying about half of the land area of the suburbs of Watermans Bay and North Beach. The precise origin of the name is unknown, but the earliest known use of the name was on a lease application by J.H.Okely of Wanneroo in 1868.
In 1987, the State Government set aside 96 hectares as an A-class reserve, and funding from the Bicentennial
Commemorative Program and assistance from local organisations facilitated the establishment of the Star Swamp Heritage Trail within the reserve.
coastal segment to the north, Marmion Avenue
to the east, Hale Street to the south and West Coast Drive
and the ocean to the west. Star Swamp sits east of Hope Street and represents just over one-half of the suburb. Reid Highway ends at the southeastern corner, and is the suburb's outlet to the Mitchell Freeway
and the Perth CBD.
At the ABS
2006 census, Waterman had a population of 1,195 people living in 494 dwellings, with an average age of 45 years (the third-oldest in the northern suburbs). Residential styles in Watermans Bay range from timber and fibro
workers' homes to modern two storey dwellings constructed of brick. Due to its small size and surroundings, it is one of the most expensive of the northern suburbs in Perth.
and nearby shops in Marmion
and Duncraig for basic commercial services, and nearby Karrinyup Shopping Centre
for other services. The suburb contains no schools, but Marmion Primary School is just beyond its northern boundary.
Star Swamp Bushland Reserve is accessible from the eastern edge of the suburb. The WA Marine Research Laboratories are located on the beach off Elvire Street, and until recently were the headquarters of the Research Division of the WA Department of Fisheries, which moved to Hillarys
in June 2005. The site has since become the home of the department's International Operations Branch.
On the southern boundary, on Elvire Street, is the Mount Flora Regional Museum, built in 1936 as a water tower at the highest point of the suburb to provide scheme water to surrounding areas. It was phased out of service in the 1970s, and converted to a museum and lookout in May 1986. It now details the region's history, and is home to the North Suburban Historical Society.
and Stirling
train stations, operated by Perth Transit.
at both federal and state elections
.
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, the capital city of Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. Its Local Government Area
Local Government Areas of Western Australia
The Australian state of Western Australia is divided into 141 local government areas...
is the City of Stirling.
History
The area originally formed part of the Hamersley Estate, which also included the suburbs now known as Carine, North Beach and modern-day Hamersley. These areas were owned by the Hamersley family, who arrived from Europe to settle in the Swan River ColonySwan River Colony
The Swan River Colony was a British settlement established in 1829 on the Swan River, in Western Australia. The name was a pars pro toto for Western Australia. In 1832, the colony was officially renamed Western Australia, when the colony's founding Lieutenant-Governor, Captain James Stirling,...
in 1837 and built a summer home just south of Waterman called "The Castle" in 1865, where their large family as well as the Perth elite congregated for summer holidays. Many of the street names in the suburb honour members of the Hamersley family
Hamersley family
The Hamersley family were a wealthy and well-connected family of early settlers in the colony of Western Australia. Members of the Hamersley family emigrated to Western Australia from England in 1837.Prominent members and connections of the family include:...
, including Ethel, Margaret, Mary and Ada.
Originally set aside as a timber reserve, the area was first settled by pastoralists in the 1860s. It served as a stopping point and watering hole along the Coastal Stock Route between Dongara
Dongara, Western Australia
Dongara is a town located 351 km north-northwest of Perth on the Brand Highway. The town is located at the mouth of the Irwin River. In recent years the area has been marketed as the 'Rock lobster capital of Australia'....
(near Geraldton) and Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
. Cattle drovers frequented the area and Afghan camel drivers were a common sight after the opening of the goldfields in the 1890s.
In 1908, the first house in modern-day Waterman was built by a fisherman, Alfred Waterman, who named his house "Zephyr". The beach front adjacent to his house became known as Watermans Bay, which became a popular fishing spot. The only way into the area at this time was via a wooden block road built by convicts (later Wanneroo Road
Wanneroo Road
Wanneroo Road is an important arterial road in Perth, Australia. It is about 75 kilometres long. It links Perth with the City of Wanneroo, and the Towns of Yanchep and Lancelin...
) and then along a limestone track to North Beach, although numerous tracks through the bushland were developed as time progressed.
In 1918, the area was subdivided as the Mt Flora Estates, but initial development was largely limited to holiday shacks. After World War II, the area developed rapidly, and in 1954, the Postal District of Watermans Bay was approved. By 1961, nearly all of the existing suburb had been built and settled.
Name controversy
In 1962, the name Watermans Bay was shortened to Waterman as it did not comply with WA state government regulations at the time as it was not strictly speaking a bay. This move was unpopular with local residents, who lobbied to revert the name. In November 2003, the Geographic Names Committee accepted a City of Stirling proposal to return to the original name following a survey of Waterman households, 491 of whom supported the proposal and 11 of whom opposed it.Star Swamp
Star SwampStar Swamp
Star Swamp Bushland Reserve is a bushland reserve occupying about half of the land area of the suburbs of Watermans Bay and North Beach in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia...
Bushland Reserve is a bushland reserve occupying about half of the land area of the suburbs of Watermans Bay and North Beach. The precise origin of the name is unknown, but the earliest known use of the name was on a lease application by J.H.Okely of Wanneroo in 1868.
In 1987, the State Government set aside 96 hectares as an A-class reserve, and funding from the Bicentennial
Australian Bicentenary
The bicentenary of Australia was celebrated in 1970 on the 200th anniversary of Captain James Cook landing and claiming the land, and again in 1988 to celebrate 200 years of permanent European settlement.-1970:...
Commemorative Program and assistance from local organisations facilitated the establishment of the Star Swamp Heritage Trail within the reserve.
Geography
Watermans Bay is bounded by the Beach RoadBeach Road, Perth
Beach Road is a major east-west road in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, connecting Perth's inner northern beachside suburbs and inland state housing areas with shopping and public transport facilities at Warwick and the Malaga industrial area...
coastal segment to the north, Marmion Avenue
Marmion Avenue
Marmion Avenue is a major arterial road in Perth, Western Australia, designated State Route 71.It runs through the northern coastal suburbs of Perth from the end of West Coast Highway in Trigg and Karrinyup, to the outer northern suburb of Yanchep...
to the east, Hale Street to the south and West Coast Drive
West Coast Drive, Perth
West Coast Drive is a scenic north-south route along the Indian Ocean in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. During the summer its entire length, which is mostly a single-carriageway road with one lane in each direction and many curves, is served by Transperth bus routes ferrying...
and the ocean to the west. Star Swamp sits east of Hope Street and represents just over one-half of the suburb. Reid Highway ends at the southeastern corner, and is the suburb's outlet to the Mitchell Freeway
Mitchell Freeway
Mitchell Freeway is a long freeway in Perth, Western Australia, linking Perth's central business district with its outer northern suburbs. It is allocated Route 2 for its entire length and is named after former state Premier and Governor Sir James Mitchell....
and the Perth CBD.
At the ABS
Australian Bureau of Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics is Australia's national statistical agency. It was created as the Commonwealth Bureau of Census and Statistics on 8 December 1905, when the Census and Statistics Act 1905 was given Royal assent. It had its beginnings in section 51 of the Constitution of Australia...
2006 census, Waterman had a population of 1,195 people living in 494 dwellings, with an average age of 45 years (the third-oldest in the northern suburbs). Residential styles in Watermans Bay range from timber and fibro
Fibro
Fibro, the shortened form of "Fibrous Cement" - or "Fibrous Asbestos Cement", FAC, is a building material made of compressed fibres cemented into rigid sheets....
workers' homes to modern two storey dwellings constructed of brick. Due to its small size and surroundings, it is one of the most expensive of the northern suburbs in Perth.
Facilities
Watermans Bay is a residential suburb, relying on a shop on West Coast DriveWest Coast Drive, Perth
West Coast Drive is a scenic north-south route along the Indian Ocean in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia. During the summer its entire length, which is mostly a single-carriageway road with one lane in each direction and many curves, is served by Transperth bus routes ferrying...
and nearby shops in Marmion
Marmion, Western Australia
Marmion is a northern coastal suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Joondalup.-History:...
and Duncraig for basic commercial services, and nearby Karrinyup Shopping Centre
Karrinyup Shopping Centre
Karrinyup Shopping Centre is a major shopping centre, located in Karrinyup, a suburb of Perth, that was established in 1973.-History and development:...
for other services. The suburb contains no schools, but Marmion Primary School is just beyond its northern boundary.
Star Swamp Bushland Reserve is accessible from the eastern edge of the suburb. The WA Marine Research Laboratories are located on the beach off Elvire Street, and until recently were the headquarters of the Research Division of the WA Department of Fisheries, which moved to Hillarys
Hillarys, Western Australia
Hillarys is a northern coastal suburb of Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the City of Joondalup. It is part of the Whitfords precinct, and is located 21 km north-northwest of Perth's central business district via Mitchell Freeway and Hepburn...
in June 2005. The site has since become the home of the department's International Operations Branch.
On the southern boundary, on Elvire Street, is the Mount Flora Regional Museum, built in 1936 as a water tower at the highest point of the suburb to provide scheme water to surrounding areas. It was phased out of service in the 1970s, and converted to a museum and lookout in May 1986. It now details the region's history, and is home to the North Suburban Historical Society.
Transport
Watermans Bay is served by the 423 bus route between WarwickWarwick railway station, Perth
Warwick railway station is a Transperth train and bus interchange located north-northwest of Perth railway station in Western Australia, on the Joondalup Line.-History:...
and Stirling
Stirling railway station, Perth
Stirling railway station is a Transperth train and bus interchange located northwest of Perth railway station in Western Australia, on the Joondalup Line.-History:...
train stations, operated by Perth Transit.
Politics
Watermans Bay is a reasonably affluent suburb with a large elderly population. It consistently supports the Liberal PartyLiberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
at both federal and state elections
Parliament of Western Australia
The Parliament of Western Australia consists of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly . The Parliament sits at Parliament House in Harvest Terrace, Perth....
.