Jarrahdale, Western Australia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jarrahdale
Western Australia

Entering Jarrahdale from Perth

Population:

956 (2006)

Postcode:

6124

LGA:

Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale

Federal Division:

Division of Canning

Suburbs around Jarrahdale:
Karrakup	Bedfordale	Wandering
Mundijong	Jarrahdale	Wandering
Serpentine	Keysbrook	Wandering

Jarrahdale is a small historic town located 50km south-east of Perth, Western Australia in the Darling Range.^[1] Jarrahdale is a descriptive name, derived from its situation in some of Western Australia's best Jarrah forest. The Jarrahdale Timber Coy constructed a railway for the transport of timber from Jarrahdale through Mundijong to Rockingham. In 1872 the townsite was granted timber concessions and the town was born,^[2] however it was not gazetted until 1913.^[3]

The locality was burnt out in an 1895 fire.^[4] The current townsite is west of its first location.

Historic buildings in the area consist of: Mill managers house, nurses quarters/hospital, general store, single mans quarters, Gianatti store, Murray Arms/Jarrahdale Tavern/Rileys Bar, churches, Post Office and a number of other locations. A POW camp operating during the WW2 exist outside the town. Recently the old mill office, behind the nurses quarters, was destroyed by fire, a hazard that has destoyed many buildings within the historic precinct in its lifetime.

On the main pass road, Jarrahdale Road, are located the successive mill site locations and to the extremity of the town heading east, the last mill site which still contains relics of its existence. This mill was operated by Bunnings until 1997 followed the year after by the Jarrahdale Alcoa alumina operations cessation. Bunnings removed the majority of the mills workings as did Alcoa with there site.

After the closure of the towns founding industries, the local shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale looked to keep the town relevant, so instigated a redevelopment scheme which is headed by the Jarrahdale Heritage Park which houses the previous mill sites and the last standing mill built in the 1930's. This mill is still operating as a small production business called Heritage Sawmillers, located on the Gooralong Brook which flows through the townsite.

Natural beauty is the areas best feature, with surrounding walks and parks featuring postcards of what the Australian bush had once been. The area contains catchment area and steep slopes which are the habitat of the majestic and lovely timber Jarrah. In these conditions the trees grow tall and thrive. It is said virgin remnants of this bushland, of poor quality timber however, still grow near the Kitty's George walk trail within the Serpentine National Park.

Numerous mill sites existed in the jarrah forest surrounding Jarrahdale, at least a couple flooded with the damming of the Serpentine river to form the Serpentine dam. Railway formations and cuttings are interesting signposts to a very productive Jarrahdale of the past.