City of Mandurah
With a population of around 60,000, many of them being young families and retirees, the City of Mandurah is a booming coastal area much favoured by the citizens of Perth as a weekend getaway. Mandurah's major appeal to locals and tourists alike is its close proximity to water and medium density living. The city is one of the fastest growing in the state and is now one of the top tourist destinations in Western Australia, with a performing arts centre of international standard, cinema complex, spectacular waterways and marina , restaurants, cafés and holiday accommodations ranging from first class to budget. Its "long weekend population" is estimated at over 300,000—five times the number of permanent residents.
The Nyoongar (or Bibbulmun) people, who inhabited the South West of Western Australia, named the area Mandjar ('meeting place'). After European settlement the name changed, possibly due to mispronunciation, to Mandurah.
In December 1829, Thomas Peel arrived in Western Australia from the United Kingdom with workmen, equipment and stores on the ship Gilmore. He had financed the trip in exchange for a grant of land in the Swan River Colony. Unfortunately for him, the contract stipulated that he was to arrive by no later than 1 November 1829 and, as such, his original land grant was forfeited. Undaunted, Peel built a small settlement named Clarence south of the Swan River colony at what is known today as Woodmans Point. Many problems with the settlement along with Peel's own ill-health led him to lead the remaining Clarence settlers to the area known today as Mandurah. Thomas Peel died in 1865 but Mandurah continued to grow, albeit very slowly, over the years.
On the 1 July 1961 Mandurah, an area previously administered by a succession of different state government authorities (the last being the Mandurah Road Board), became the Mandurah Shire. At a local level it was now governed by a council of elected members in accordance with the (Western Australian) Local Government Act. Rapid growth over the next 50 years saw Mandurah upgraded to town status on 1 July 1987 (the 'Town of Mandurah') and, eventually, city status on the
In the past 15 years, Mandurah has grown from a Shire with a population of 12,700 to a City of 54,000. This is predicted to rise to 85,000 by 2016.
Yet, despite the enormous growth in population, the City has retained its relaxed, holiday atmosphere. The City of Mandurah boasts the finest waterways in Australia, with everything from fishing, crabbing, swimming, recreational cruising and waterskiing on offer for enthusiasts.
Creative planning - including a number of residential canal developments with boat access to the Peel Inlet - demonstrates just how Mandurah retains its uniqueness compared to other cities.
The cosmopolitan, word-class marina is rapidly expanding and offers unequalled boating facilities. It will soon allow people to venture out to a vibrant mix of waterfront restaurants, boutique shops and stylish apartment living.
A rich arts and festival culture has also become a unique feature of Mandurah, with many annual events, including the Channel Seven Crab Fest, Mandurah Ocean Marina Boat and Fishing Show, Stretch Arts and Community Festival and Mandurah International Opera Festival attracting tens of thousands of visitors.
A variety of transportation options are available to explore Mandurah, with an improved local bus service offering low cost travel around the city centre. The eagerly awaited rail project has begun construction in the Perth CBD and services to and from Mandurah are expected to commence in 2006.
Mandurah – your natural choice for lifestyle, business and holiday experiences.
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