Perth Water

Perth Water is the section of the Swan River between the Causeway to the east, and Narrows Bridge to the west - a large wide but shallow section of river on the southern edge of the City of Perth, Western Australia, and the northern edge of the suburb South Perth. [http://portal.environment.wa.gov.au/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/ADMIN_SRT/CORPORATE/ANUAL%20REPORT%201998-1999.PDF Swan River Trust - Annual Report, 1998-1999] Retrieved 29 December 2006. ] It is considered a significant Landmark of the City of Perth.

History

Historically it was much larger in size, however considerable reclamation has taken place on both sides of the river. For example in 1879, landfill of Perth Water was used to create the Esplanade. [ [http://www.ecu.edu.au/chs/cem/research/wetlands_research/history/pbhist.html History of water use in the Perth-Bunbury region] Dr Mark Lund and Helen Martin,
16 November 2005. Retrieved 29 December 2006.]

For the construction of the Narrows Bridge and its approaches, considerable amounts of the north west section of Perth Water were reclaimed. The former river bank in that area is equivalent to the edge of Mounts Bay Road. The whole new Convention Centre lies on the river side of the former river bank.

Events

In 2006 the last race in the Red Bull Air Race World Series was the first ever in Australia and was held in Perth, with the competition being centred over Perth Water. [ [http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/imarine/14693.asp Red Bull Air Race: Swan River access restricted] Department for Planning and Infrastructure. Retrieved 29 December 2006.]

It has been the annual site of Australia Day fireworks, with crowds lining the lawns and open space along the foreshores. [ [http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/skyworks/info.html LOTTERYWEST AUSTRALIA DAY SKYWORKS 2007] Lotterywest Skyworks. Retrieved 29 December 2006.] A good view for these activities has been from Kings Park due to its elevation and position looking across the Perth water area. Post-cards, calendar images, posters and photographs from most decades of the twentieth century exist, that show the view from the Park looking across Perth Water to the city.

Uses

There has, since the establishment of Perth, been either jetties or landing and mooring facilities at the location of Barrack Square at the jetty. It has had the long running Perth South Perth Transperth ferry service running across to the Mends Street Jetty which also serves Perth Zoo. Commercial companies also use the jetties for trips to Rottnest via Fremantle and Swan River wine and leisure cruises.

Ferry companies at the terminal have in the past improved re-fuelling techniques in order to reduce the amount of oil pollution in Perth Water.

Historical photos

The most accessible photographs that show the degradation of the space over time is in the collection in The West Australian book produced for the 150th anniversary of Western Australia in 1979. [ Edmonds, Jack (editor) (1979) "Swan River colony : life in Western Australia since the early colonial settlement, illustrated by pictures from an exhibition mounted by West Australian Newspapers Ltd. as a contribution to celebrations for the state's 150th year" Perth: West Australian Newspapers.ISBN 0909699208 - front cover, pages 2-3, 6,7, 36,37,54,68,70,84,88 all have views of Perth water.]

ee also

* City of South Perth
* Melville Water

References