Winthrop, Western Australia

Winthrop was originally a pine tree plantation owned by the University of Western Australia. The first blocks went up for sale in the early 1980s. After the first residents moved in, more blocks were sold off in a number of phases. Shortly after the first residents, a Convenience store opened for business. Soon the Winthrop Primary school and Winthrop village shopping centre were opened. Blocks were so sought after that many people resorted to sleeping near the sales office for up to a week just to secure a position.

The name is most likely derived from that of the first Chancellor of the University of Western Australia, Sir John Winthrop Hackett. There are very few reminders of Winthrop's past as a pine plantation, with scattered remnants of pine trees being the only indication.

[edit] Layout

A typical Winthrop alleyway

Winthrop has made extensive use of a cul-de-sac driven layout. There are no traffic signals in Winthrop; only the major entrance/exit (Leach Highway) is controlled by traffic signals. At local sources of congestion, a roundabout is employed to manage traffic.

Pedestrians have access to alleyways that cut between roads, allowing for a more direct route. This layout makes it hard for a comprehensive public transport system in Winthrop, so the only bus routes travel down the 2 main roads.

[edit] Transport

A covered bus stop in Winthrop. This is located outside of Winthrop primary school. It is a timed stop for the 740 & 940 routes.

[edit] Road

Winthrop is bordered by 3 major roads. To the North is Leach Highway. To the East is Murdoch Drive. To the West is North Lake Road and to the South is Somerville Boulevard, which connects North Lake road to Murdoch Drive.

There are 6 ingress/egress points via road in Winthrop.

1 to North Lake Road
4 to Somerville Boulevard
1 to Leach Highway

The main local neighbourhood distributors are: Winthrop Drive, dividing the east and west of Winthrop, and Jackson Avenue, which passes both Winthrop Primary School and the Winthrop Village Shopping Centre. Other minor tier roads include 'Hatherley Parade', 'Aitken Drive' and 'Ten Seldam Circle.' All roads are sealed, and limited by a speed limit of 50km/h.

[edit] Bus

There are numerous bus routes serving Winthrop. These are:

144 (Winthrop - Fremantle) Note: There is one service per day, at 0730. This is not a regular route
145 (Hamilton Hill - Perth)
740 (Hamilton Hill - Perth)
940 (Hamilton Hill - Perth)

The 145 travels the length of Winthrop drive and the 740 and 940 both travel Jackson avenue. Both of these roads are main roads to Winthrop and most residences are within a small walking distance of stops.

[edit] Train

There are no train services in Winthrop. The current closest station is Fremantle Train Station. When the Mandurah Line is complete, residents of Winthrop will have a choice of the Bullcreek or Murdoch train stations.

[edit] Education

The primary schools in or around Winthrop are Winthrop Primary School, Booragoon Primary School, Carrawatha Primary School, Kardinya Primary School and Yidarra Primary School. Nearby secondary schools include Applecross Senior High School, Corpus Christi College, Melville Senior High School, Murdoch College, Winthrop Baptist College and Somerville Baptist College. Nearby tertiary institutions include Murdoch University.

[edit] Nature

Piney Lakes reserve.

Largest block of original pine trees.

Winthrop has many parks. The central area of the suburb has the main "Winthrop Park" (pictured looking ESE over above). It is bordered by pine trees.

There are few areas left of the original pine plantation, the largest of which is located near Winthrop Park.

To the North-East of Winthrop there is the Piney Lakes reserve. A natural wetlands houses many native flora and fauna and is open to all members of the public. There are a number of trails through it and a guided footpath. The Piney Lakes conservation centre hosts school visits, and aims to maintain the natural ecosystem in the area.

The Piney Lakes Nature reserve is home to a number of native birds including Willy Wagtails, Warblers and Cockatoos. Southern Brown Bandicoots were last spotted in the Reserve in 1995, and it is doubtful they still inhabit the area.

[edit] References

Real Estate in WA

Suburbs of the City of Melville
Alfred Cove \| Applecross \| Ardross \| Attadale \| Bateman \| Bicton \| Booragoon \| Brentwood \| Bull Creek \| Kardinya \| Leeming \| Melville \| Mount Pleasant \| Murdoch \| Myaree \| Palmyra \| Willagee \| Winthrop