KFC4me

Carmel was once called Green's Landing after Levi Green, a Perth business man who moved into the area in 1844. Later, in 1915, it was renamed when another land owner decided to rename the area Carmel - meaning 'Garden of God'. Both names do accurately reflect the region, with Carmel being a green escape from the main city and a fertile area on the city outskirts. There are many great gardens in the area and the proximity to the hills provides a slightly better climate for growing fruit trees and plants that require more of a chill factor than the rest of the city. There are many larger properties in the area and there are around 200 dwellings. For a suburb on the outskirts there is unusually good school access with the Carmel Adventist Colleges and Mazenod and St Brigids in Lesmurdie.

The area of Champion Lakes used to be part of Westfield (in turn part of Armadale) but was renamed when the Regatta Centre was built several years ago. The Champion Lakes Regatta Centre opened in 2009 and is a world class facility for rowing, kayaking and dragon boat racing. It is also open to the public and the man made lake has a small beach area and grassed picnic areas. There is limited private land use in the area and much of the suburb is larger properties around the Regatta centre. The area population is placed at about 200 people and access to other services and shopping is in Armadale. There is a new estate in development with new houses currently being built - it is being promoted as a prestigious estate so the quality of housing may be the best in the area. Only time will tell!

East Rockingham is a relatively small area that is larely restricted to industrial activity, with a variety of heavy industry developments. There are two caravan parks in the area and less than 100 dwellings, with a population of 113 recorded at last census. The Water Corporation has a Water Treatment Plant in the area and the CBH Grain terminal is another notable business in the area.

I have to be honest here - I have never lived in Jolimont and I don't know a great deal about it. But, this inspired me to take a look at some of the information about this suburb. I have driven past many times and was, for the most part, completely unaware that it was Jolimont at all! If asked I would have said I was in some sort of Subiaco - Wembley type place. I think most of us forget Jolimont is actually a real suburb because there is not really very much of it. Once the Mathews Netball Centre and the nearby Hockey Centre are removed from the equation there is only a small square of streets, most between Salvado and Hay Sts.

To provide a small amount of information - there are about 700 dwellings in Jolimont and most seem to be one person households (51% at last census). Renters make up 37% of the population with families only accounting for only 12% of the overall population. It seems that the small number of dwellings and the fact that most seem to be apartments has affected the overall growth of the area. Normally being 4km from the CBD would be an indicator of reliable and higher growth in the median price. However, over 10 yrs the average is around 7.9% which is under the 10% marker for good growth in Perth. Perhaps the lack of attraction to families affects the overall figures with areas like nearby Wembley being much more attractive.

Fauntleroy Ave is one of those surprise streets that you didn't really know was there. It is a little bit hidden and a little bit mysterious the first time you drive down it - which I did many years ago. But, it still has that effect on me, perhaps because I wish I lived there in one of the huge houses complete with massive frontage and the river access at any time. You enter off Great Eastern Hwy and at first wnader past the houses on the edge of the Tibradden Estate, but as you go further it becomes clear that there is more to the lifestyle of this road. There are a few older houses that look a bit run down - they will be prime rela estate though. However, the real value is in the riverside properties and living in one would be a privilege. For me living among the birdlife would be a major drawcard and you can't get closer to nature than living 'almost' in a nature reserve as the Garvey Park area was rehabilitated in recent years so extends a little further. Those of us who can't afford to live here merely drive past on the way to Garvey Park to walk the dog, the children or ourselves! The whole area is a great place to visit and you can walk along the river back towards the city. Of course, there is the kayak club as well, so much of the traffic is those who are seeking their own version of a water fix and excerise on the water. I regularly meet people who have just spent the morning or afternoon 'relaxing' on a ten mile journey back from the city side of the river. It is quite inspiring!

Lets just say that if I could live here, I would - if I could afford the spots right in front of the river. It is a quiet spot and the few other houses leading down to the river are also good quality. The worst thing would be people parking their cars to go and access the walking paths along the river - but it is a small price to pay for the location.

Many a summer's day was spent at the Ascot Water Playground in earlier decades by the children of Perth. It wasn't Adventure World by any means, but it was wet and wonderful in the Perth heat. Parents would watch as children ran around enjoying the various pools and paddling areas. The old concrete pools are still there and the long grass is reclaiming the area after many years. It would be considered unsafe now - no parent would let their child near the place - it was different not so long ago. But, moving on, Mathieson Rd runs from the edge of the Race Course parking area near Resolution Dr, all the way through to near Tonkin Hwy. It does intersect with a number of other streets heading down towards the river, but there are only two traffic islands along the way, so I am not sure what all the talk of roundabouts is in the above post. It is actually quite a clean street to drive along and the houses look quite tidy and well kept. There are some streets in Ascot where there are multiple islands and attempts to slow traffic, but not this one. People use this street to get where they need to be in the area and this includes horse activity and there may be some traffic reflecting this, but it is not too busy. The street is a mix of old and new properties, but most are kept nicely. This is not an area that is easy to buy into, so many are long term residents associated with the racing sector.

Epsom Ave is one of the mainstays of the Belmont-Ascot traversing routes. It runs from Ascot, within the stables areas near the river all the way throught to Cloverdale, which is the quieter end. However, it is almost adjacent to the Race Course, so there is a lot of early morning activity. As you enter the Ascot section of Epsom Ave, on the river side of the highway, it is mostly commercial enterprises on one side. Moving through there is still some horse activity and then the houses as the street leads you to the more 'suburban' section - and down to the river walking path. In the past, most houses in the area on Epsom Ave and surrounding streets were occupied by people involved in the horse racing sector. Now, more people have realised the value of living near the river and it is more mixed as newer homes replace old ones. Away from this end, the road is really about accessing what you need in the Ascot and Belmont areas and most people use it as a thoroughfare. The Ascot end is quieter because it is short and there are other streets available for those who live there to get into the suburb.