Upper Swan Local Area
The Upper Swan local area was created in 2015 for its diverse community and unique character. This will enable long term planning to ensure future infrastructure and services meet the specific needs of the local area, its community and stakeholders.
Land use in the Upper Swan local area is predominantly rural and includes most of the localities of Upper Swan and Brigadoon, Walyunga National Park and parts of Baskerville and Bullsbrook. Located in the heart of the City of Swan to the north east of the Swan Valley and straddling the upper reaches of the Swan River, the Upper Swan local area is bounded by Bullsbrook (north), Gidgegannup (east), Red Hill and Baskerville (south), and The Vines and Ellenbrook in the west.
The local area includes the Ellen Brook Nature Reserve and Walyunga National Park, both environmentally significant and listed on the Register of the National Estate. Archaeological excavations in 1979 confirm Aboriginal occupation in the area dating back 40,000 years.
European settlement dates from the 1850s, although the population remained sparse until the late 1800s. The population gradually increased from the early 1990s as new dwellings were added to the area and by 2001, there were 400 dwellings and approximately 1,000 residents. By the time of the 2016 Census there were 1,500 residents and 580 dwellings with an average household size of 2.8 persons. Almost 90% of homes in the Upper Swan local area are owned outright or owned with a mortgage and 7% are privately rented.
More than 25% of the population are aged less than 20 years and 32% are aged 55 years or more. Almost 70% of residents were born in Australia, 25% were born overseas and of these 6% come from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Based on current assumptions, population forecasts for the Upper Swan local area indicate that the population will grow to approximately 2,200 persons by 2036.
Development of the Upper Swan Local Area Plan (LAP) has involved local community members working together with the City to identify specific issues affecting their community. Community members and stakeholders were invited to contribute to the Upper Swan LAP through a series of community workshops, surveys and online consultations. All submissions received were considered in the formulation of strategies and actions to implement Upper Swan’s vision and ensure that local needs and aspirations are met. This LAP is therefore an important document for the City to plan for infrastructure and services, and manage change at the local level.