Settlement history

European settlement of the Kwinana area dates from the 1830s, with land used mainly for farming. Population was minimal until the late 1800s, with some growth through to the early 1900s. Significant residential development did not occur until the early 1950s, when the town was planned by the State Government to support industrial development in the area. Further industrial development followed through to the 1960s, accompanied by rapid residential growth, including public housing. The population of the City grew from under 3,000 in 1954 to over 12,000 in 1971, and then to nearly 14,000 in 1976. The population was relatively stable from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s, following the closure of the BHP steel mill and other industries. Growth resumed from the late 1980s, with the population rising to about 17,000 in 1991, and then continuing to grow to about 38,000 in 2016. Population growth is expected to continue, particularly in areas close to the Mandurah railway line and the Kwinana Freeway.

Land use

The City of Kwinana is a growing residential area, with substantial industrial, rural and rural-residential areas, and some commercial areas. The City includes one of Perth’s largest employment areas in the Kwinana industrial area, including oil refineries, a power station, a waste water treatment plant and quarries. The City encompasses a total land area of nearly 120 square kilometres.

Transport

The City of Kwinana is served by the Kwinana Freeway, Rockingham Road, Thomas Road and the Mandurah railway line.

Major features

• Major features of the City include Kwinana Marketplace,
• Perth Motorplex,
• Koorliny Arts Centre,
• Kwinana Recquatic,
• Kwinana Golf Club,
• Marri Park Golf Course,
• South Metropolitan TAFE (Kwinana Campus),
• Challenger Beach,
• Kwinana Beach,
• Beeliar Regional Park,
• Jandakot Regional Park,
• Leda Nature Reserve,
• The Spectacles Wetlands,
• Casuarina Prison,
• Cockburn Power Station,
• Alcoa Kwinana Refinery and BP Oil Kwinana Refinery.

Included areas