Baldivis, Western Australia

Baldivis Perth, Western Australia
Baldivis
Coordinates	32°20′02″S 115°48′43″E / 32.334°S 115.812°E / -32.334; 115.812Coordinates: 32°20′02″S 115°48′43″E / 32.334°S 115.812°E / -32.334; 115.812
Population	15,883 (2011)[1]
Postcode(s)	6171
Location	46 km (29 mi) S of Perth 11 km (7 mi) SE of Rockingham
LGA(s)	City of Rockingham
State electorate(s)	Kwinana, Warnbro
Federal Division(s)	Brand
Suburbs around Baldivis: Cooloongup Wellard Oldbury Warnbro Baldivis Mardella Port Kennedy Karnup Hopeland

Baldivis is a semi-rural residential suburb 46 kilometres (29 mi) south of the central business district of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, and 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) southeast of the regional centre of Rockingham. It is located with the City of Rockingham local government area.

Housing estates in the suburb include Tuart Ridge, Settlers Hills, The Rivergums, Baldivis Central, Baldivis North, Evermore Heights, The Ridge, The Chase, Highbury Park, Heritage Park, The Dales, Avalon, Woodleigh Grove and Sherwood.

History

The name of Baldivis was thought up by settlers in the area who were attracted to the region by the 1920s Group Settlement Scheme. The name derives from three ships which travelled to Western Australia in 1922, all within six weeks of each other, bring settlers under the scheme. They were named BALranald, DIogenes and the JerVIS Bay. It was the maiden voyage for all three ships and they were all built in the same shipyard in the same year.^[2]

Land parallel to the eastern side of Baldivis Road was set aside for a tramway between Jandakot in the north and Karnup to the south, to provide access to the Group Settlement Scheme land. Although part of the tramway was constructed, it was never constructed in Baldivis. The tramway reserve is retained for open space.

Many of the road names in Baldivis (e.g. Sixty Eight Road, Fifty Road, etc.) originate from the group numbers.

Land in the western portion of Baldivis was zoned for urban development in the 1990s, and the suburb has been progressively developed for residential. The first residential estate to be developed was Settlers Hills, by Stockland.

Geography

The western half of Baldivis (generally west of Baldivis Road) is composed of undulating sand and limestone soil with occasional wetlands. The high point is known as Tamworth Hill, which is the site of a water reservoir. Much of this land has been developed for residential use. East of Baldivis Road the land is generally flat and comprises sand and clay soils; the exception being the sandy hill known as Dog Hill. These areas are generally used for rural purposes. The western portion of Baldivis contains tuart trees; some of the trees have been retained within the residential areas.

Transport

Baldivis is serviced by the Transperth 564 bus route, operated by Southern Coast Transit, which operates from Rockingham Train Station via Warnbro Train Station. This route services the Baldivis Town Centre during business hours, travelling through Settlers Hills via Arpentuer Drive through Evermore Heights, The Ridge and Terminate in The Dales (Smirk Road). Route 568 services The Rivergums and Baldivis Central. It also connects the Baldivis community with a regular service to the Baldivis Town Centre. Both routes run 7 days a week running every 60 minutes and every 20 minutes in peak hours.

The Kwinana Freeway runs through Baldivis, providing vehicle access to Perth and Bunbury. Safety Bay Road links Baldivis with neighbouring suburbs to the west like Rockingham and Warnbro.

The principal shared path along the Kwinana Freeway provides bicycle access to Perth.

Facilities

Education

There are four schools in Baldivis, plus two more opening in the near future:

• Baldivis Primary School, a government school which first opened in 1924 as a "bush school", and moved to its present location in Fifty Road in 1978. The site of the original Baldivis School is marked by a plaque on a large granite rock on Doghill Road, about 2 km from the intersection with St Albans Road.
• Tranby College, a private school operated by the Uniting Church for K-12 students which opened in 1997. Tranby College has a waiting list.
• Settlers Primary School, a government school, opened in 2005 and situated opposite Tranby College.
• John Calvin Primary School, situated on Mandurah Road.
• Makybe Rise Primary School opened in 2012 on Makybe Drive in Tuart Ridge estate.
• Baldivis Secondary College, a new public high school that opened in February, 2013. **Limited entry for Year 8 students only.

Shopping

The main shopping facilities in Baldivis are located in the area known as the Baldivis Town Centre, on Settlers Avenue, and includes the Baldivis Shopping Centre (opened in mid-2007) owned by Stockland, who intend to extend the Shopping Centre.

References