KALAMUNDA
From High Wycombe to Pickering Brook, Hacketts Gully to Wattle Grove, the Shire of Kalamunda is one of the most diverse and populous local government areas within the City of Perth.
Located approximately 25 kilometres east of Perth’s CBD, the Shire covers an area of approximately 349 square kilometres, the majority of which is state forest rising into the Darling Scarp to the east. The Shire also has excellent road, rail and air links being in close proximity to the airport, railway lines and major highways. The Shire has 624km of constructed roads, 599km of which are sealed.
The Shire has a total population of approximately 58,905 living in approximately 22,992 dwellings (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census data). The population is predominantly of North West European descent, with over 66% of people in the Shire born in Australia.
The Shire of Kalamunda boasts a unique range of land uses, local industries and attractions which include – orchards, intensive horticulture activities, grazing, animal agistment, hobby farms, minor sawmills, poultry, Government Works Depot, C.B.H state grain terminal, FESA Training Centre, transport and logistics companies, rapidly growing urban and industrial areas, parks and reserves, state forests, the Bibbulmun Northern Terminus and Track, numerous trails, bushwalks and lookouts, Bickley and Victoria Reservoirs, wineries, heritage sites, the Perth Observatory, markets, retail and shopping precincts, boutique stores, arts and crafts, scenic drives and award winning restaurants.
The Shire of Kalamunda is divided into four wards or electoral districts. Each ward is represented by three Councillors. The wards are:
North West
South West
North
South East.
For a list of current Councillors, click here.
Demographics and Statistics
For information on demographics and statistics, visit the Shire of Kalamunda website
The Shire of Kalamunda Community Profile provides demographic analysis for the Shire and its suburbs based on results from the 2011, 2006, 2001, 1996 and 1991 Censuses of Population and Housing. The profile is updated with population estimates when the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases new figures.
Facilities
We have a range of unique facilities here in the Shire. If you are looking for a Community Hall to hire, recycling or waste facilities or libraries or any other type of facilities, follow the links to this information on the Shire of Kalamunda website.
Facilities Directory
Facility and Function Hire
Local History
Before European settlement, the Beeloo people inhabited the area in which the Shire of Kalamunda is now located.
European settlement of the Kalamunda area dates from the 1860’s. The main activities were farming and timber harvesting. In 1895, the Darling Range Vine and Fruitgrowers’ Association was formed by the early pioneers. This then became the Darling Range Roads Board in 1897. These groups were the first attempt by the settlers to form some sort of organisation for the advancement of the community. On 1 July 1961, the Darling Range Roads Board became the Shire of Kalamunda after the enactment of the Local Government Act 1960. The most significant development in the area occurred during the post-war years, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. The population was relatively stable during the 1990s, and then increased slightly between 2001 and 2006 (taken from the Australian Bureau of Statistics).
You can find detailed local histories and photographs of individual communities in the community profiles.
Shire of Kalamunda Website
Local History Collection at the Kalamunda Library
The local history collection provides information about Kalamunda, Lesmurdie, Forrestfield, High Wycombe, Maida Vale and neighbouring suburbs and localities within the Shire of Kalamunda.
The collection is a valuable repository containing information on the development, society and culture of the Kalamunda and surrounding areas including the people, places and events that have shaped the history of the region.
Types of material include books, pamphlets, diaries, letters, local government archives, maps, photographs, oral histories, newspapers and ephemera.
The collection includes: Photographs (images of local people, places and events), Oral Histories (interviews with local residents sharing their stories and memories), Newspaper clippings (articles of a biographical nature and of relevance to the Shire of Kalamunda are collected from the Kalamunda Reporter, Hills Gazette and Echo), books, reports and newsletters and many items are listed in the library catalogue.
Contact Local History Librarian: Yvette Thompson (08) 9257 9852
Kalamunda and Districts Historical Society
Pickering Brook Heritage Group
The Foothills Connection Community Heritage Project website
Attractions
Visit the websites below to find out about attractions within the Shire of Kalamunda.
Zig Zag Cultural Centre Website
Shire of Kalamunda Website
Kalamunda Chamber of Commerce Website
Bickley and Carmel Valleys Tourism Association