Forrestfield, Western Australia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Forrestfield Perth, Western Australia
Roundabout at entrance to Hartfield Park
Population	12,690 (2016 census)
Postcode(s)	6058
LGA(s)	City of Kalamunda
State electorate(s)	Forrestfield
Federal Division(s)	Hasluck
Suburbs around Forrestfield: High Wycombe Maida Vale Kalamunda Perth Airport Forrestfield Lesmurdie Kewdale Wattle Grove Wattle Grove

Forrestfield is a suburb of the City of Kalamunda in Western Australia. It lies 15 kilometres to the south-east of Perth at the base of the Darling Scarp and the southern border of Perth Airport.

The suburb is split by Roe Highway into a southern residential area and a northern industrial area. The suburb is adjacent to Wattle Grove, Cloverdale and Kalamunda.

Industrial area

Rail

The industrial area contains a major rail hub. It was originally Forrestfield marshalling yard operated by WAGR and then Westrail.

It is currently the Aurizon depot for Perth

Specialised Container Transport (SCT) have a large intermodal warehouse with connection to the railway line.

The $120 million Co-operative Bulk Handling Metro Grains Centre was built in 1998. In mid-2005 BlueScope Steel constructed a large warehouse on former Westrail land.

Kenworth DAF also relocated from Guildford to a new $10 million complex on Abernethy Road in 2005.

History

Settlement of the area dates from the late 1800s. Population was minimal until the early 1900s, with growth during the interwar period. Significant development did not occur until the post-war years, with rapid growth from the 1950s into the 1970s. The population has been relatively stable since the early 1990s, a result of some new dwellings being added to the area, but a decline in the average number of persons living in each dwelling.

There is authority to suggest it is named after Western Australia's first premier, John Forrest. However, local folklore suggests that the name comes from Charles Hale, who settled in the area in 1902 and planted crops amongst the native forest bushland, hence Forrestfield.

Demographics

In the 2011 census, Forrestfield recorded a population of 11,811 people: 49.4% male and 50.6% female. The median/average age of the Forrestfield population is 37 years. The country of birth of people living in Forrestfield is 1.1% Scotland, 8.4% England, 1.1% Philippines, 1.1% India, 4.6% New Zealand. 86.7% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 0.4% Dari, 0.4% Tagalog, 0.4% Dutch, 0.5% German, 0.6% Italian. The religious make up of Forrestfield is 20% Anglican, 3.7% Christian, nfd, 3.3% Uniting Church, 29.1% No Religion, 20% Catholic. 46.9% of people are married, 34.7% have never married and 9.6% are separated or divorced. There are 518 widowed people living in Forrestfield. The median individual income is $646.00 per week and the median household income is $1302.00 per week. The median rent in Forrestfield is $320 per week and the median mortgage repayment is $1842 per month.

Amenities

Hartfield Park Recreation Centre: This complex includes an indoor stadium as well as playing fields for cricket, rugby, Australian rules football, hockey, soccer(football), an 18-hole golf course, an equestrian centre plus support facilities for each. There is also a nature conservation park and a lake.

Public transport

Transperth bus routes are:

•      286: peak hours to and from Elizabeth Quay bus station
•      287: peak hours to and from Elizabeth Quay bus station
•      288: off peak to and from Elizabeth Quay bus station
•      294: to Cannington station & Midland station
•      281: off peak hours to and from Darling Range Sports College and Lesmurdie Senior High School

Educational facilities

Forrestfield contains the following educational institutions:

• Darling Range Sports College, formerly Forrestfield Senior High School
• Dawson Park Primary
• Forrestfield Primary
• HillSide Christian College, formerly Forrestfield Christian School
• Woodlupine Primary
• Tabor College