Atwell, Western Australia

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Coordinates: 32°7′58″S 115°51′38″E / -32.13278, 115.86056

Atwell
PerthWestern Australia
[[Image:
Old farm building at northern entrance to Atwell
Old farm building at northern entrance to Atwell
|270px]]
Population: 6928 (2006 Census)
Postcode: 6164
Area: 3.7 km² (1.4 sq mi)
Property Value: AUD $470 000 [1]
LGA: City of Cockburn
State District: Serpentine-Jarrahdale
Federal Division: Fremantle
Suburbs around Atwell:
Cockburn Central Jandakot Banjup
Success Atwell Banjup
Hammond Park Aubin Grove Banjup

Atwell is a suburb within the metropolitan area of Perth, Western Australia, situated 21 km south of the CBD of Perth city, and located in the City of Cockburn. Its postcode is 6164.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Situated on the Swan coastal plain, between the coast, and the Darling scarp, the terrain is generally flat , with many small natural and created wetlands. It is situated on the western boundary of the Jandakot ground water protection area, and hence suburban development to the east is not permitted. It is bounded to the north by Armadale Road, the Kwinana Freeway to the west, Tappers Road to the east and to the south by Gibbs Road.

Street in Atwell
Street in Atwell
Skate park in Atwell
Skate park in Atwell

[edit] History

The Whadjug Nyungar aboriginal people were the first human inhabitants of the region. Occupying the region from 40 000 years ago. The many lakes and wetlands of the region were important for sustenance and spiritually. [2] After European settlement of the Perth region in 1829, the land of much of the area including and surrounding what is now Atwell was granted to G Dunnage .[3] The area was later part of the dairy property owned and operated for many years by Ernest Atwell. Originally it was purchased in the 1920's to spell horses he used in his livery stable business, which was conducted in Fremantle. It was later developed into one of the largest dairies in the Perth region. The huge amount of land was slowly sold off but the Dairy was still operating until the late 1950's. The house and workers cottage were eventually demolished when the area was cleared for redevelopment. [4] Development of the suburb of Atwell began in the early 1990's through the creation of several housing estates such as Beeliar parklands and has continued to expand with the estates, Atwell waters, and Harvest lakes being developed. Most of the suburb has now been developed, with only small sections in the south remaining.

[edit] Statistics

Selected medians and averages from the 2006 census [5]

Class Atwell Perth Australia
Median age 30 36 37
Average household size (persons) 3.1 2.5 2.6
Australian born 66.0% 68.7% 70.9%
Median individual income (weekly) $681 $513 $466
Median family income(weekly) $1558 $1086 $1027
Median rent (weekly) $250 $180 $190
Median housing loan repayment (monthly) $1365 $1300 $1300


[edit] Services

Community centres
There are two Community centres in Atwell. The Atwell Community centre houses the Infant health clinic, and has regular meetings for church groups, various support groups, financial advice and personal counselling. It also has an Afterschool care facility. Various recreational and sporting groups also use the centre for Karate, Dance , Pilates etc. The adjacent building houses a children's day care facility. The Harvest lakes community centre situated in the grounds of the Harmony primary school, has a similar range of facilities and services.

Community centre in Atwell
Community centre in Atwell

Education
There are two primary schools in Atwell. Atwell Primary established in 1998, years - kindergarten, pre primary, and 1-6, with 950 students (2008) .Harmony Primary established in 2004, years - kindergarten, pre primary, and 1-6 with 559 students (2008) . The secondary school, Atwell College established in 2008, years 7-12* with 350 students (2008), also incorporating the Kim Beazley Learning Community for special needs children.
"*" currently only years 7-8, further years will be added as facilities are completed.

Health
Atwell currently has a general practitioners medical centre, an infant health clinic, a pharmacy and a physiotherapy clinic.

Retail
There are currently two retail centres in Atwell. A small centre in the north was opened in the late 1990's, consisting of a delicatessen and a Chinese restaurant. A second larger centre was opened in central Atwell in the early 2000's consisting of a supermarket and several other food and service stores . A third centre is zoned for the southern Harvest lakes region, though no firm plans are currently in place.

[edit] Recreation


Leisure
Atwell has a large number of parks and reserves. The two major parks are: Atwell reserve, which has a lake, playgrounds, skate park and BBQ facilities. Harvest lakes park which has a lake and playgrounds. In addition there are dozens of small park and reserves, playgrounds, and nature areas throughout the suburb

Wetland in Atwell
Wetland in Atwell

Sports
Atwell Oval is the main sporting ground and has a clubhouse and change rooms for the Jandakot Jets Football Club which plays Australian rules football. The South Fremantle Colts also train there. In addition Softball and Tee ball are also played here. Atwell and Harmony Primary school ovals are open to the public and have cricket pitches and nets.

Atwell Oval
Atwell Oval

Facilities in Adjacent suburbs
Public Library: in Success
Recreation and aquatic centre: South lake

[edit] Transport


Public
Regular bus services on route 527 operate to Cockburn Central railway station, located just outside the North Western boundary of Atwell, and Gateways regional shopping centre in Success. Train services connect to Perth and Mandurah.

Road
Atwell is well connected with transport infrastructure, being situated adjacent to a transport hub at Perth's southern approaches. Access to Perth in the North and Rockingham / Mandurah in the South is via the Kwinana Freeway which is accessible via interchanges at Armadale road and Gibbs Road. East Access to Armadale is via Armadale road. Western access to Fremantle is via Beeliar Drive and North Lake road.

Pedestrian and Cycling

Footpaths and Dual use cycle paths are present on all of the major roads within Atwell. A Dual use path on Armadale Road leads to the Kwinana Freeway dual use path, which connects to the more than 750 km cycle routes in the Perth Region. [6]

[edit] Other Atwells

Atwell, West Virginia USA
Atwell Township, Rowan County, North Carolina USA
Atwell Peak BC, Canada
Atwell Grove, NY, USA

[edit] References

  1. ^ Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (2006). Suburb Profile - Atwell.
  2. ^ History of Perth, Western Australia
  3. ^ Land grants in the Swan River Colony
  4. ^ Atwell community portal (2008). History - Atwell.
  5. ^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006).
  6. ^ Bikewest.