Lathlain, Western Australia

Infobox Australian Place | type = suburb
name = Lathlain
city = Perth
state = wa


caption =
lga = Town of Victoria Park
area = 1.6
postcode = 6100
pop = 2,657 (2001 census) [2001 Census, Australian Bureau of Statistics]
est = 1890s
dist1 = 6 | location1 = Perth
propval = $385,000 (Q2 2006) [ [http://www.reiwa.com.au/res/res-suburbprofile-display.cfm REIWA Suburb Profile] ]
stategov = Victoria Park
fedgov = Swan
near-nw=Burswood
near-n=
near-ne=Rivervale
near-w=Victoria Park
near-e=Kewdale
near-sw=East Victoria Park
near-s=
near-se=Carlisle

Lathlain (coord|31|57|58|S|115|54|25|E; post code: 6100) is an inner south eastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Town of Victoria Park.

History

Lathlain's development commenced in the 1890s when Peet " Co subdivided and sold lots in the "Victoria Park Station Estate" east of the railway station, with quarter-acre blocks on sale for £25-£30. A brochure advertising the state claimed the lots were "So near Perth, near the Station and so near the Trams" (although the tram service never quite eventuated). Residential development was slow, and Gallop records in his historical notes that "bush land with some heavy timber and the occasional stray cow from Belmont greeted the post-war generation who built the suburb. [Dr Geoff Gallop. "From The Swan To The Canning - Historical Notes on Victoria Park and Surrounding Districts", December 1989. Originally published in "Southern Gazette", 24 October 1989, p.7. Accessed at Battye Library, Perth.]

The suburb's name honours Sir William Lathlain, the Lord Mayor of Perth from 1918 until 1923. The name was in general use since the 1950s, after a park of this name was built there, but was not gazetted until 1981. [cite web|url=http://www.vicpark.ws/library_online/index.cfm?link=249|title=Timeline 1970-2004|author=Town of Victoria Park|accessdate=2001-11-10]

In November 1953, it was proposed that the Perth Football Club, an Australian rules football team in the West Australian Football League, be based at a new oval to be built on vacant land at Lathlain. The Perth City Council supported the scheme, and construction commenced. As residents started to move into the area, a primary school was constructed in 1956. On 11 July 1959, the club moved into the premises at the ground, known as Lathlain Park, and went on to win premierships in 1966-1968 and 1976-1977. The ground was renamed to Eftel Oval in 2003.

Demographics changed and during the early 90's Lathlain's only civil structure, its local primary school, was earmarked for closure by the education minister at the time Norman Moore, due to low student enrolments. Students, parents and locals fought hard to keep the school open and their cries where heard. The school now has a healthy enrolment aided by the onsite pre-primary and better facilities.

Geography

Lathlain is bounded by Great Eastern Highway to the northwest, the Armadale railway to the southwest, Roberts Road to the southeast and Orrong Road and Graham Farmer Freeway to the northeast. The suburb is almost entirely residential, although a number of parks can be found - most notably Lathlain Park which houses the home ground of the Phoenix Demons and J.A. Lee Reserve. Rayment park is a small community park located centrally within the suburb, adjacent to Lathlain Primary School, local shops situated in Lathlain Place, Carlisle/Lathlain Playgroup, Carlisle/Victoria Park Toy Library and scout hall. [2006 StreetSmart directory, Department of Lands and Surveys, Perth.]

Lathlain is zoned predominately R20. City and hill views can be found in the western end of the suburb which is situated on a hill that extends as far north as Rivervale and as far south as Kensington.

At the ABS 2001 census, Lathlain had a mostly above-average-income white population of 2,647 people living in 1,283 dwellings, most of which are detached houses on separate lots. The ABS identified property and business services and retail as the primary occupations. About 7% were of Italian origin.

Facilities

Lathlain is a residential suburb containing two reserves, two hotels and Lathlain Primary School. Commercial and other services are provided by Victoria Park and Belmont.

Transport

Lathlain is served by the Victoria Park train station on its southwestern edge, and by various bus services. All services are operated by Swan Transit.

The Lathlain railway station, built in 1959 and once located at the beginning of Goddard Street, was closed on 3 February 2003. Almost no trace of it exists today, although when the Lathlain railway station was decommissioned the "Lathlain" lighted signs were donated to the Perth Football Club to display in their clubroom due to their historical links with the station.

Politics

Lathlain's booth supports the Australian Labor Party at both federal and state elections, although less strongly than booths to the south and east - in the 1996 election it voted for the Liberal Party.

See also

* Town of Victoria Park
* Perth Football Club
* Eftel Oval

References

External links