THE CITY OF KWINANA CELEBRATES 60 YEARS SINCE THE LAND WAS ANNEXED FROM WHAT WAS THE QUIET SEASIDE RESORT OF ROCKINGHAM TO CREATE THE KWINANA DISTRICT. TODAY KWINANA HAS BECOME A THRIVING COMMUNITY, AFTER A COUPLE OF FALSE STARTS IN 1829 AND THE SOLDIER SETTLEMENT SCHEME IN THE POST WORLD WAR 1 ERA.
The trigger for today’s City of Kwinana was the announcement that the Commonwealth Oil Refineries was to build a £40 million refinery on the coastal plain of the Kwinana district and that Broken Hill Pty Ltd (BHP) was to construct a £4 million steel rolling mill in the same area. The new harbour in Cockburn Sound was officially opened for business in January 1955, spawning intensive industrial development along the Kwinana coast.
The foundation of Kwinana was based on an extraordinary level of commitment by State Government to ensure this new employment zone became operational. The Government delayed other projects to raise the £4 million necessary to deliver the water, roads, electricity infrastructure, along with the dwellings necessary to house the influx of workers into the area. Indeed almost half the dwellings in Medina were approved in the four years to 1954, with the majority in the final twelve months. Construction was primarily fibro-clad with many of the homes remaining in the ownership of the state government and rented to workers.
In 1955 the Medina Resident’s Association sent a deputation to the Kwinana Road Board (which was predecessor to today’s City of Kwinana) to lobby for a district hospital to cope with the 150 babies born that year. They also demanded a library and a meeting venue of “suitable size.” Like all emerging communities experiencing rapid growth, the facilities required to support them were needed quickly. The community hall was constructed in 1956 funded by donations from local industry.
As with most rapidly growing areas, infrastructure remains challenging today, but the lack of deep pocketed philanthropists means other funding sources need to be found. The City of Kwinana has now introduced a “levy” on all new dwellings (Developer Contribution Scheme) to fund the social infrastructure such as libraries and child care facilities, required for their rapidly growing population.
Today Kwinana is home to nearly 35,000 people with the majority living in Bertram – Wellard (West), Calista and Parmelia-Orelia. Recording 5.8 per cent growth in 2012/13, it is one of Perth’s fastest growing communities (by percentage). Congratulations to Kwinana on 60 impressive years.