Kwinana - it's our town - many of us were born here, it's where we go to school, where we live, and where we may work in the future. Our town is important to us, and we're proud of it. Kwinana, like many other older suburbs around the world, faced many problems two years ago. Many of these problems have now been solved by a great new project called the "New Kwinana Project". We'd like to share with you the issues and concerns that faced our community, and how this project, and the community, have made our great town even better!

The perception of many people in Perth was that Kwinana was a run down suburb with high rates of crime and youth unemployment, in the shadow of the smoke stacks and pollution of the nearby industrial area.

Before the "New Kwinana Project", the suburb had a very high ratio of state owned rental properties. The average ratio of rental properties in Western Australia is 10 - 12% but in Kwinana prior to The New Kwinana Project the ratio was 40-50%. The suburb also had a large number of multi-story flats which were considered good cheap housing when they were first built, but were now unsuitable, especially for families. The flats had been neglected over the years, and were in need of a face-lift.

The high number of rental properties caused lots of social problems. Unemployment was very high and crime and vandalism was increasing, partly due to the lack of community facilities for young people. Although the area is well supplied with parks and public open space, other items such as safe play equipment, seating and picnic facilities and other recreational amenities were needed.

Although the planning of the township had been sound when first designed in the 1950's, with wide open streets and dual carriageways, little had been done in recent years to improve the streetscape and general appearance of the town.

A joint venture between Homeswest, the Satterley McCusker group, the Kwinana Town Council and the local community was formed to 'renew' Kwinana and in doing so change people's perception of this suburb and it's residents.

The project involved four stages - refurbishment of rental properties, new land releases, upgrading the streetscape and improving community facilities.

The project started with Homeswest offering tenants the opportunity to re-locate to rental properties in another suburb, or purchase the house they were currently living in. Satterley Real Estate company, on contract to Homeswest, refurbished the vacated houses, put in new gardens, and offered the houses for sale. These houses then looked new and boosted the value of the houses around them.

Two new land subdivisions were developed which brought many new families and homes into the area.

A great amount of work has been done to beautify the streets, verges and parks, and assist the community in projects such as Neighbourhood Watch, sporting clubs and schools.

People think that now the project has started the area isn't as boring as it used to be, and that people are more friendly than they were recently because the surroundings have influenced them to be so.

Overall, we think that everyone who has been affected is glad the new Kwinana has happened.....

Especially the Kwinana Kapers!!!

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