North Beach

Image of North Beach shared path at sunset

The local community describes North Beach as a lovely, peaceful and friendly neighbourhood. To better understand what is means to be ‘a local’ our suburb profile seeks to understand the local stories Koora (past), Yeyi (present), Boordawan (future) and respond to Ngalang Maya (our place). This snapshot identifies the unique character of North Beach’s neighbourhood and helps the City rethink how we deliver services with a local focus. 

North Beach was the former location of the famous Castle Hotel. It has a diverse range of housing types including old holiday dwellings, former workers' houses, modern dwellings and character houses.

What it means to be a 'local'

What you've told us so far

Local issues

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Local focus

These are the top local priorities you've told us about what's important for North Beach:  

  • Cycleways - "A dedicated cycle path along West Coast Drive. I don't cycle but it is a fabulous healthy activity & we need to make it safe for all ages."
  • Underground power - "Underground power."
  • Underground power - "Yes. Sink the power lines please! That would be a huge improvement."
  • Parks and reserves - "A bike park for the kids at Charles Riley Reserve."
  • Conservation - "Coastal erosion."

The City has created Locally-led Stirling to drive deeper connection at a local suburb level to listen and respond with a local focus.  At the heart of this Locally-led approach is an understanding that local people know what they need and a vision for everyone to get involved in shaping what it means to be “a local”.

We want to bring neighbours together, invest in local stories and inspire opportunities to work together. To find out more about Locally-led Stirling, visit Shaping our City.  If you're looking for ways to get involved in your local area, please contact one of the City’s Local Engagement Officers by emailing getinvolved@stirling.wa.gov.au.

Local plans

Residential development

There is a diverse range of housing types within North Beach, including holiday dwellings from before and after World War II, as well as some former workers' houses. There are also many modern dwellings throughout the suburb. There are still some of the older character houses, which were generally constructed of fibro and timber, while the newer developments are predominantly brick.

Single detached dwellings dominate housing within North Beach, although there is an increasing number of unit and duplex developments in the suburb. The average lot size is around 900 m², and block sizes can range between 530 m² and 1100 m².

Public open space and community infrastructure

The major shopping centre in North Beach is West Coast Plaza, located on the corner of West Coast Drive and North Beach Road. There are also smaller centres to serve local residents scattered throughout the suburb.

North Beach is well provided with 21ha of public open space and parks, including Star Swamp Bushland Reserve and Charles Riley Memorial Reserve. Charles Riley Memorial Reserve contains tennis courts and a bowling club, as well as a recreation centre. The suburb has an extensive length of beachfront, which also serves recreational needs.

Star Swamp Bushland Reserve

Star Swamp is a significant North Beach landmark. Named by Charles Crossland during a coastal survey in 1869, the Star Swamp Bushland Reserve was declared an A-Class reserve by the State Government in 1987 and covers an area of about 96 hectares. It is also home to the City's Henderson Environmental Centre. The reserve contains a rich diversity of flora and fauna of both local and regional significance and has areas of historical importance. Check out Destination WA's episode on Star Swamp here

External projects

Council investment

Financial year 2023 - 2024

  • North Beach Cricket Club Painting
  • Charles Riley Reserve Softfall Upgrade
  • Installation of a new double shower, double foot-wash and new paving at Hamersley Pool.

Projects

Charles Riley Reserve swale plan map

Stormwater Drainage Swale – Charles Riley Reserve

The western oval and grassed grandstand area at Charles Riley Reserve is undergoing remedial works to mitigate flooding issues that had previously impacted the area.

The City is constructing a drainage swale to capture stormwater runoff from the carpark. The swale has been designed to store in excess of 130 cubic metres of water runoff that will infiltrate into the surrounding area during storm events.

Unfortunately, three trees will be removed to facilitate the works. The City is aware of its commitment to the environment and is proposing to replace these trees with fifteen trees that will be planted within the reserve during the winter planting season.

The drainage swale is shaped to have gently sloping sides that provide an active space for use by the community.

On completion of the works, the drainage swale will be reticulated and landscaped to match the surrounding area and the base of the swale will be planted with water tolerant tree species better suited to a wetter environment.

A new footpath will be constructed at the eastern end of the swale to connect the car park to the club rooms.

It is estimated the work will be completed by end February 2024.

Image: Charles Riley Reserve, North Beach Football Club Drainage Swale Construction 

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