Cottesloe

Cottesloe Perth, Western Australia
View of Cottesloe Beach in summer 2007
Population:	7,066 (2006 census) [1]
• Density:	1859.5/km² (4,816.1/sq mi)
Established:	1880s
Postcode:	6011
Area:	3.8 km² (1.5 sq mi)
Location:	11 km (7 mi) WSW of Perth
LGA:	Town of Cottesloe
State District:	Cottesloe
Federal Division:	Curtin
Suburbs around Cottesloe: Swanbourne Claremont Indian Ocean Cottesloe Peppermint Grove Mosman Park Mosman Park

Coordinates: 31°59′35″S 115°45′25″E / 31.993°S 115.757°E / -31.993; 115.757

Cottesloe is a western suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Town of Cottesloe. Cottesloe was home to Australian Prime Minister John Curtin, the house he built still stands in Jarrad street and is now owned by the Western Australian Government.

Geography

Cottesloe is a beach-side suburb of the city of Perth in Western Australia. It located roughly halfway between Perth central business district and the port of Fremantle. It is famous for its beaches, cafes and relaxed lifestyle.

Cottesloe is bounded by the Vlamingh Memorial to the south, Stirling Highway, Congdon and Servetus Streets to the east; North Street to the north and the Indian Ocean to the west. A large part of Cottesloe is residential, although a significant shopping area is located along Stirling Highway, and a 9-hole golf course at Jarrad Street.^[2]

At the ABS 2006 census, Cottesloe had a population of 7,066 people living in 3,310 dwellings, 69.7% of which are detached houses on separate lots. The ABS identified property and business services and health as the two main occupations.

Present day

Historically the beach and its panorama are reflections of the changes in the last 110 years of Perth’s history. The photos and paintings of Cottesloe Beach that are either in collections or published, give tangible evidence of the importance of beach-oriented activities in the Perth community.

Cottesloe Beach

Transport

Cottesloe is served by the Grant Street, Cottesloe, Mosman Park and Victoria Street and Swanbourne train stations. Various buses, including the CircleRoute, travel along Stirling Highway and through the suburb’s western and eastern sections. All services are operated by the Public Transport Authority. During the summer months, the council provides a free shuttle bus every hour during the day, called the Cott Cat, between Cottesloe train station and the Cottesloe beachfront. In 2004 the service carried over 30,000 passengers, at a cost of $15,000 ^[3] Cottesloe Beach is a popular place for beach cricket. An oceanway allows pedestrians and cyclists to move along the beaches in a sustainable manner.

Beach cricket being played at Cottesloe Beach

Kayaking competition at Cottesloe beach on a Western Australian Sunday

Politics

Cottesloe is part of the federal division of Curtin. The federal seat is held by the centre right Liberal Party. It is regarded as a safe seat as it has been continually retained by the Liberal Party with the exception of former Liberal member Allan Rocher as an Independent politician between 1996 and 1998. For the parliament of Western Australia, the state electoral district of Cottesloe is also held by the Liberal Party.

Famous Residents

John Curtin, Prime Minister of Australia for much of World War II, lived in Cottesloe from 1918 until 1935 when he became Leader of the Opposition and returned for short periods thereafter until his death in 1945.^[4] John Curtin’s house in Jarrad street is owned by the State government and maintained by the National Trust of Australia, during 2008 there was suggestion that the house may be relocated onto the Curtin University grounds but the decision was made for the house to remain in Cottesloe. In May 2009 the Federal government announced that they would provide a grant of A$580,000 to the National Trust to restore the house.^[5]

Claude de Bernales was a mining entrepreneur who built Overton Lodge, which was bought by the Town of Cottesloe in 1950 and renamed the Cottesloe Memorial Town Hall and Civic Centre.

Former West Coast Eagles premiership player Chris Mainwaring lived here before his death on 1 October 2007.

Ocean pylon

The Pylon after storm damage in May 2009

In December 2008 the Town voted to restore the ocean pylon, a 1930s concrete structure, at a cost of $172,000.^[6] Decades of battering by the ocean has eroded the pylon, which was one of three pylons built to anchor a shark net following a fatal attack in 1925 two of which were destroyed by storms in 1937. Since then its has become a landmark and popular diving platform for beach users.

During major storm activity on 21–22 May 2009, the spike was knocked off the pylon.^[7] However this is not the first time this has occurred:^[8] during storms in 1995, the spike was also knocked over. It then remained on the bottom of the ocean in approximately 3 metres of water until a unnamed group removed the 800 kilograms (1,764 lb) structure using nothing but wood and rope.

See also

• Town of Cottesloe
• Rottnest Channel Swim

References

External links

• Town of Cottesloe Website