Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Perth South West area were the Nyoongar Aboriginal people.

Settlement history

European settlement dates from 1829 when a port was established for the Swan River Colony at Fremantle. Gradual growth took place during the mid 1800s, with more rapid growth from the late 1800s into the early 1900s, spurred by the opening of the railway line from Perth and the gold rush. Land was used mainly for farming, market gardening and orcharding, with some fishing and shipping. Significant residential development occurred from the post-war years, particularly from the 1950s, accompanied by industrial growth. Rapid growth took place in the southern areas from the 1980s, with the population of the region increasing from about 224,000 in 1991 to about 346,000 in 2011. Much of the recent growth occurred in the Cities of Cockburn and Rockingham. Growth is expected to continue, particularly in the southern municipalities.

Land use

Perth South West region is a growing residential area, with substantial industrial and maritime areas, and some commercial, rural and rural-residential areas. Much of the rural land is used for market gardening and hobby farming. The South West Group region encompasses a total land area of about 620 square kilometres.

Transport

Perth South West region is served by the Kwinana Freeway, the Canning Highway, the Roe Highway, the Stirling Highway, the Port of Fremantle, Jandakot Airport, and the Fremantle and Mandurah railway lines.

Included areas