East Perth
Brief History East Perth is a precinct of the City of Perth. It was originally chosen
as the perfect location for the Swan River Colony's cemetery. Situated high on a hill it was far enough away
from the settlement to avoid potential disease outbreaks but not far enough away that the locals couldn't
attend the burials.
The area eventually expanded and became known for its warehouses and light industry, as it was
conveniently close to the Central Business District. It seemed like the perfect location to place both the Perth
Power Station and Gas Works. As a result the area became an unfavourable area for residential development, even
though it was so close to the city.
Interesting Facts About East Perth
The postcodefor East Perth is 6004.
The East Perth Power Station supplied electricity to the metropolitan area of Perth from
1916-1951.
Queens Gardens was once a brickworks and the bricks made from the reserve were used to construct
several prominent buildings in Perth such as the Barrack Arch.
In 1829 the East Perth Cemeteries became the Swan River Colony's main burial grounds, on what was to become
known as Cemetery Hill. Many prominent settlers were buried in these grounds including John Septimus Roe
(Colonial Surveyor), Joseph Hardey (Tranby House), Sir Luke Samuel Leake (Treasurer and Benefactor of St
George's Cathedral) and Richard Roach Jewell (Colonial Architect).
If you wander around the sculpture 'Impossible Triangle', at the East Parade round-about, you will
eventually find a position where the seemingly odd shaped design will form a perfect triangle.
Things Are Looking Up In East Perth During the the late 1990's developers saw the potential for residential
housing in the East Perth area. Placed in the hands of the East Perth Redevelopment Authority they
successfully turned the somewhat rundown area into a up-market community, now known as the Claisebrook
Village. Many of the old warehouses around the area have also been converted to either offices or residential
premises, creating a complimentary blend of old and new architecture. To find out more, visit the Architecture of East Perth.
Public Art of East Perth There is a strange mix of artwork found throughout East Perth. From the
Peter Pan Statue in Queens Park to the 13.5m Impossible Triangle that sits bemusingly at the centre of the
round-about on East Parade. In 1999, East Perth (Claisebrook Village) won a Civic Design Award for its public
art. If you would like to know more, click here for the Public Art of East Perth.
Important Links to East Perth
City of Perth
East Perth Redevelopment Authority
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