Balcatta, Western Australia

Balcatta is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its local government area is the City of Stirling. It is a primarily middle-class suburb made up of mainly Italian, Greek and Macedonian families, as well as many families from other European countries. It is also one of the largest suburbs in the northern part of the Perth metropolitan area. Much of Balcatta is a commercial and industrial area.

Balcatta
Perth, Western Australia
Southern entrance of Balcatta Senior High School
Coordinates31.876°S 115.817°E / -31.876; 115.817
Population10,813 (SAL 2021)[1]
Postcode(s)6021
Area7.3 km2 (2.8 sq mi)
Location10 km (6 mi) NNW of Perth CBD
LGA(s)City of Stirling
State electorate(s)Balcatta
Federal division(s)Cowan
Suburbs around Balcatta:
Carine Hamersley Balga
Gwelup Balcatta Westminster and Nollamara
Stirling Osborne Park and Tuart Hill Yokine

History

Balcatta's name was derived from the Aboriginal words "Bal" meaning "his" and "Katta" meaning "hill".

The area became popular with Southern European migrant families, because it was one of the few areas that had not been settled and many migrant families wanted to build their own homes in their distinctive style, many complete with plaster figurines of lions and romanesque style columns adorning the front verandah and entry. Similarly, other European immigrant families had already settled in nearby suburbs such as Osborne Park, and made their living as market gardeners.

The area was especially popular with Macedonian families, leading to the establishment of Macedonian Cultural Centre "Ilinden" on Grindleford Place. Balcatta was also a popular area among other peoples from the Balkans.

As many of the older families pass on and others choose to update by building a newer home further north, the area is becoming increasingly popular with those of Asian cultural background, which has also led to some parts of Balcatta being subdivided into small units or villas.

Areas of interest

Jones Street

The longest street in Balcatta. Winding through the locality, Jones Street has had repeated work done by the local council to resurface it out and make it safer for both pedestrians and motorists. A number of new round-abouts have been constructed in order to slow down traffic at various points on the road. Jones Street also runs past Takari Primary School and ends at Delawney Street behind the Water Corporation Depot and Stirling Recycling Plant.

Amelia Street

This hilly street runs east to west through Balcatta. It also goes past one side of Balcatta Senior High School.

Balcatta Senior High School

Balcatta Senior High School (BSHS) is the only public high school in Balcatta. A large percentage of its students are from non-Anglo Australian backgrounds. The school has specialist programs in the arts, such as dance and drama. BSHS was opened in 1967 and at the time was the northernmost school in the Perth metropolitan area.

Jones Paskin Reserve

This is a large oval mainly utilised in the summer as a cricket oval and for general use by the local community. This is the home ground of the Balcatta Cricket Club.

Transport

Bus
  •    387 Warwick Station to Perth Busport – serves Erindale Road, Balcatta Road and Wanneroo Road[2]
  •    402 Stirling Station to Perth Busport – serves Karrinyup Road[3]
  •    414 Stirling Station to Glendalough Station – serves Jones Street, Amelia Street and Main Street[4]
  •    415 Stirling Station to Mirrabooka Bus Station – serves Cedric Street and Amelia Street[5]
  •    427 Stirling Station to Warwick Station – serves Erindale Road[6]
  •    428 Stirling Station to Warwick Station – serves Cedric Street, Amelia Street, Odin Drive, Salmson Street, Dacre Street, Attra Street, Cadd Street, Knowles Street, Paskin Street, Jones Street, Natalie Way, Balcatta Road and Erindale Road[7]
  •    998 Fremantle Station to Fremantle Station (limited stops) – CircleRoute clockwise, serves Karrinyup Road and Morley Drive[8]
  •    999 Fremantle Station to Fremantle Station (limited stops) – CircleRoute anti-clockwise, serves Morley Drive and Karrinyup Road[9]

Bus routes serving Wanneroo Road:

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Balcatta (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022. 
  2. "Route 387". Bus Timetable 81 (PDF). Transperth. 11 January 2024 [effective from 28 January 2024].
  3. "Route 402". Bus Timetable 58 (PDF). Transperth. 21 June 2023 [effective from 16 July 2023].
  4. "Route 414". Bus Timetable 59 (PDF). Transperth. 24 October 2023 [effective from 17 December 2023].
  5. "Route 415". Bus Timetable 59 (PDF). Transperth. 24 October 2023 [effective from 17 December 2023].
  6. "Route 427". Bus Timetable 61 (PDF). Transperth. 25 October 2023 [effective from 17 December 2023].
  7. "Route 428". Bus Timetable 61 (PDF). Transperth. 25 October 2023 [effective from 17 December 2023].
  8. "Route 998". CircleRoute Timetable 200 (PDF). Transperth. 29 August 2023 [effective from 20 November 2023].
  9. "Route 999". CircleRoute Timetable 200 (PDF). Transperth. 29 August 2023 [effective from 20 November 2023].
  10. "Route 384". Bus Timetable 72 (PDF). Transperth. 24 October 2023 [effective from 17 December 2023].
  11. "Route 385". Bus Timetable 82 (PDF). Transperth. 21 June 2023 [effective from 16 July 2023].
  12. "Route 386". Bus Timetable 82 (PDF). Transperth. 21 June 2023 [effective from 16 July 2023].
  13. "Route 388". Bus Timetable 81 (PDF). Transperth. 11 January 2024 [effective from 28 January 2024].
  14. "Route 389". Bus Timetable 81 (PDF). Transperth. 11 January 2024 [effective from 28 January 2024].
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.