Swan Profile

Midland is the major commercial and administrative centre for the City of Swan, located 16 kilometres north east of the Perth Central Business District. It is also the northern and eastern gateway from Perth to Western Australia, with both the Great Northern and Great Eastern National Highways passing through Midland.

 

Midland is one of eight designated strategic regional centres within the Perth metropolitan area and is the main centre of the East Metropolitan Region. It is the preferred location for major offices and retailing as well as a mix of entertainment, recreation, government and community facilities.

The City of Swan is also home to the Swan Valley, a renowned viticulture area with a proud history of table grape cultivation and fine wine production

 

Access into and throughout the region is facilitated by an efficient road network, rail and bus services and proximity to Perth's airport. Swan also boasts a retail and commercial catchment that extends into the abutting Wheat belt region.

 

The development of the City of Swan is linked to the foundation of the Swan River Colony. The historic Guildford township, located at the junction of the Swan and Helena Rivers, was originally established in 1829 as a port and trade centre for the Colony.

 

The region includes major recreational park areas, the magnificent Swan Valley and significant Aboriginal and European heritage sites. The City of Swan is arguably the most diverse local government area in Western Australia. For municipal management purposes, the City is divided into eight wards.

 

Actual and Anticipated Growth

 

The City of Swan is fifth largest local government area by population size in metropolitan Perth, after Stirling, Wanneroo, Joondalup and Melville.

 

Between 1991 and 2001, the City of Swan's population increased from 53,100 to 82,126. Average Annual population growth over the next ten years is estimated at 4.6%. It is expected that the population will double to 168,100 by 2021.

 

Growth Locations

 

The City of Swan continues to experience strong population growth rates due to the development of new urban and rural-residential areas.

 

Population

 

The City of Swan's population is relatively young. In 2001, children under the age of 15 years represented 25.9% of the City of Swan's total population. This proportion is higher than the Perth Metropolitan area 21.4%.

 

The median age of the total population increased from 27.8 years in 1986 to 31 years in 2001. The median age of the population in the City of Swan is lower than the media age of the population in the Perth Metropolitan area, which is 34 years.

 

Economic Growth and Industry

 

The City of Swan has a diversified economic base with no dominant industry sector. Increasing population has coincided with significant economic growth in the region throughout the last decade. Office and Business and Shop/Retail sectors, are the largest sectors by total number of business establishments.

 

Midland and Malaga are the two main centres of economic industry activity within the area, collectively accounting for approximately two thirds of the total number of business establishments identified within the City of Swan.

 

The Office & Business (21.6%) and the Service Industry (21.3%) sectors are the most dominant business establishments in Malaga. Where as, Shop/Retail (25.4%) and Office & Business (22.6%) sectors are the most dominant business types in Midland.

 

The total number of City of Swan residents employed in the September 2002 quarter was 39,000, representing a decrease of 1.0% from the March quarter when there were 39,410 people employed in the region.

 

Between September 2001 and September 2002, the number of City of Swan residents employed remained relatively static (an increase of 0.13%). Similarly, the number of people employed within the Perth Metropolitan Area increased by 0.8% and 1.1% for the State.

 

The number of City of Swan residents registered, as unemployed for the September 2002 quarter was 3,416 people.

 

Midland Redevelopment Authority

 

The Midland Redevelopment Authority (MRA) is a State government planning and development agency specially set up in 1999 to undertake the revitalisation and redevelopment of parts of Midland, based around the historic Midland Railway Workshops. The total MRA area comprises some 256 hectares.

 

The redevelopment is divided into two stages - 'Midland Central' and 'Woodbridge'. Stage 1 'Midland Central' comprises and area of 111 hectares. One of the key elements in the redevelopment of land within Midland is to build upon the surrounding strengths, such as the Helena and Swan Rivers, a diversity of culture and heritage and the Swan Valley.

 

It is anticipated that when fully developed the workshops site will be home to around 1,000 people and be a workforce hub for approximately 4,000 people.

 

Community Services

 

Excellent education, health and community services available to residents within the City of Swan contribute to the high 'quality of life' in the region.

 

Entertainment

 

Entertainment and seasonal events are popular amongst residents and visitors to the City of Swan. There are two major cinema complexes in Midland, whilst the Belvoir amphitheatre provides an outdoor venue for live bands and international performers. A range of festivals and weekend shows attracts local residents and visitors from the wider metropolitan area. The State equestrian Centre frequently offers a range of community entertainment activities. Numerous hotels, vineyards, cafes and restaurants clustered in the Swan Valley, Midland, and Guildford heritage precinct provide attractive function venues for dining and entertainment.

 

Recreation

 

The City of Swan has a number of recreational facilities available. Swan Park and Altone Park Leisure Centres and Ballajura Aquatic Centre provide and array of first class facilities and recreational programs.

 

The State Equestrian Centre in Brigadoon is an easily accessible purpose-built sporting facility in the Swan Valley. The Western Australian Sporting Trust manages the Speed Dome in Midvale, which is the State Centre for elite indoor track cycling and roller-skating. Whiteman Park, Caversham Wildlife Park (recently relocated to Whiteman Park) and Bullsbrook Maze are popular venues for weekend family recreation

 

Outdoor activities are popular amongst residents and visitors to the region. Conservation and recreation reserves including National Parks, parks, reserves and public open space are suitable for recreational activities such as picnics, bush walking, horse-riding, trail and mountain cycling.

 

Transport

 

The City of Swan is well serviced by an efficient transport network. Transport facilities within Swan are of major importance to the region and the State.

 

Midland regional centre, 16 kilometres from Perth, is the gateway to the State's north and east and is the centre of major arterial networks including the Roe, Tonkin, Reid, Great Eastern and Great Northern Highways and Toodyay Road.

 

Major industrial and commercial areas, and suburban areas to the west such as Beechboro and Ballajura, are also serviced by this road network. A well interconnected district and local road network exists.

 

An established transport network makes Midland on of the most accessible regional centres in Perth. The Perth International and Domestic Airport Terminals are less than 15 minutes from Midland offering air links to regional Western Australia, Australia and overseas. The major regional bus and train passenger interchange for Swan is located in Midland.

 

Bus transport passenger services throughout the City of Swan are provided by Swan Transit, Path Transit, Perth Bus and Southern Coast Transit. 450 to 500 buses serve Midland daily to a range of destinations as part of the Transperth network. Rail networks within the City service passengers and freight.

 

Facilities exist to accommodate freight and truck transport. Truck and transport related businesses include: Hazelmere, Midvale and Malaga industrial areas.

 

Residential urban areas are well serviced by footpaths and cycleways. Private and public ramps and jetties exist along the Swan and Helena Rivers for water access.

 

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