The suburb of Westminster came about when residents requested the City of Stirling to rename the southern portion of Balga after the name of the original estate.
History
The suburb now known as Westminster came about at the request of residents who in 1994 requested the City of Stirling to rename the southern portion of Balga to Westminster after the name of the original estate in the area.
Between 1936 and 1955 a limestone road named Westminster Boulevard passed through the suburbs then known as Nollamara and Westminster Estate. Westminster Estate was subdivided prior to World War II, though development of the area remained limited up to the late 1940s because the area was perceived to be relatively isolated.
Most of the land at that time was used for market gardening and poultry farms. Due to the area's extensive jarrah and Banksia woodlands, timber cutting was also popular in the earlier days of the colony.
The Westminster area was resumed, along with the surrounding suburbs, by the State Housing Commission in the early 1950s to form the basis for the Mirrabooka Regional Centre, and Westminster was developed to capacity by 1970.
Residential development
Westminster is characterised by single residential developments, many of which are timber-framed houses constructed by the State Housing Commission. From the 1960s, private owners began to build brick dwellings on small to medium sized blocks. These are particularly evident in the north west of Westminster.
Unit developments have also been popular in the area, with most being built between 1960 and 1970. The eastern portion of Westminster is characterised by modern dwellings that were constructed from the mid-1970s until the present.
Community development
The largest shopping centre in Westminster is Stirling Central, located to the north west of the suburb. It contains specialty stores as well as providing for the daily needs of residents.
Westminster is also home to several public and private primary schools and contains a number of recreational areas including Matt Williams Reserve, Galluccio Reserve and Ted Cross Memorial Reserve.