Ballajura, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ballajura Perth, Western Australia
Kingfisher CHC adjacent to the Ballajura Library in Ballajura
Postcode(s)	6066
Area	8.9 km2 (3.4 sq mi)
LGA(s)	City of Swan
State electorate(s)	West Swan
Federal Division(s)	Division of Cowan
Suburbs around Ballajura: Landsdale Cullacabardee Cullacabardee Alexander Heights and Koondoola Ballajura Whiteman Malaga Malaga Beechboro

Ballajura is a suburb located in Perth, Western Australia. It is about 14 kilometers (9 miles) north of the main city center. Ballajura is part of the City of Swan local government area. On its western side, near Koondoola, you can find Emu Swamp.

History of Ballajura

How Ballajura Began

The Ballajura area was first settled in 1905. An immigrant named Ernest Maltby Kerruish came from the Isle of Man. He bought land here to start a farm. He named his farm "Ballajora," after a farm back home on the Isle of Man.

Ernest was joined by John Creer and Arthur Eaton. They also came from the Isle of Man. They helped him clear the land. They built a house and started farming. After a few years, Ernest found the soil was not good enough. He moved his farm to a different area nearby.

Names You Might Know

Some names from Ballajura's early history are still used today. Three of the four houses at Ballajura Primary School are named after Kerruish, Eaton, and Creer. The fourth house is named after Matilda Bennett. She was also from the Isle of Man. Matilda Bennett was the wife of John Septimus Roe. He was Western Australia's first surveyor general. Bennett Brook, a stream that flowed through the original Ballajora farm, was also named after Matilda Bennett.

Modern Development

Ballajura grew a lot in the 1980s. Two new areas were developed: Lakeshore and the Lakes Estate. These areas were built around lakes and parks. They became very popular places to live. People liked the high quality of homes there. There was a plan to give these areas official new names. However, the local council decided against it. They worried it might make the rest of Ballajura seem less appealing.

Community Life in Ballajura

Who Lives Here?

According to the 2016 census, Ballajura had a population of 18,704 people. The suburb covers an area of about 8.9 square kilometers (3.4 square miles). Most of the people living in Ballajura, about 59%, were born in Australia.

Schools and Learning

Ballajura has several schools for young people. There are four primary schools: Ballajura Primary, South Ballajura Primary, Illawarra Primary, and Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School. For older students, there is one high school, Ballajura Community College.

Getting Around Ballajura

Public Transport

Ballajura does not have a train line right now. However, it has many local bus services. These buses can take you straight to the city center. In the future, Ballajura will be served by the Malaga railway station. This new station is part of the Morley–Ellenbrook line. It is expected to open in 2024.

Bus Routes

Many bus routes serve Ballajura, connecting it to nearby areas and the city.

•        Route 344 travels from Warwick Station to Morley Bus Station.
•        Route 360 goes from Alexander Heights Shopping Centre to Perth Busport.
•        Route 361 also connects Alexander Heights Shopping Centre to Perth Busport.
•        Route 362 runs from Ballajura to Perth Busport.
•        Route 378 travels from Alexander Heights to Mirrabooka Bus Station.