Binningup, Western Australia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BinningupWestern Australia |
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 Binningup
Location in Western Australia
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| Postcode(s) | 6233 |
| Area | [convert: needs a number] |
| Location | |
| LGA(s) | Shire of Harvey |
| State electorate(s) | Murray-Wellington |
| Federal Division(s) | Forrest |
Binningup is a small town located on the coast of the South West region in Western Australia. It sits between the larger towns of Mandurah and Bunbury. In 2016, a census showed that about 1,227 people lived there.
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Binningup's History
The name "Binningup" comes from "Binningup Beach Estate." This name was used by a group of people from Harvey who divided the land into smaller blocks in 1953. It is believed to be an Aboriginal name, though it might not be a very old traditional one.
The name "Binningup" was used as early as 1849. In the early 1900s, people from a nearby area called Springhill would walk to Binningup to swim at the rocks. During World War II, the area was used as a lookout point by a group called the Voluntary Defence Corps.
In 1950, two people, Ted Holthouse and Gordon Goodson, asked the local council (then called the Harvey Road Board) for their thoughts on developing the area. After two years of talks, the community group got permission to start. Then, a group of people bought farmland and divided it into smaller pieces in the early 1950s.
By 1962, only one person lived in Binningup. But many homes were built in the next few years. Community members also cleared and built a road from Old Coast Road to the area. The Shire of Harvey then officially declared Binningup a townsite in 1963.
On September 30, 1984, a type of meteorite called an H5-class chondrite fell in Binningup.
Life in Binningup Today
Binningup has a main beach that is protected by a natural reef. This reef runs alongside the beach. The town has a general store, a caravan park, and a cafe. You can also find a skateboard park, tennis courts, and basketball courts. There is a bowling club with greens, a community centre, a youth camp, a public library, and a public oval.
Visiting Binningup
Binningup is a popular place for tourists to stop, especially those traveling from Perth. Many homes in this coastal town are lived in all year round, while some are used as holiday homes.
The beautiful beach and clean water make Binningup a great spot for swimming. During the summer, hundreds of tourists come to visit from both the north and south. Fishing is also very popular here. The reef is home to many different kinds of sea creatures.
Binningup's Desalination Plant
Binningup is home to a desalination plant. This plant turns seawater into drinking water for Perth and nearby areas like Mandurah, Kalgoorlie, and Bunbury. In 2013, the Premier Colin Barnett opened the second part of the plant. This expansion cost about A$450 million and doubled the plant's ability to produce water to 100 gigalitres (3.5×109 cu ft) each year.
