The City of Gosnells is celebrating 60 years of being a local government this month.

On Saturday 1 July 1961, the Gosnells Road Board became the Shire of Gosnells following the introduction of the 1960 Local Government Act.

Deputy Mayor Peter Abetz said that marked the start of significant change and population growth, as the district transformed from market gardens, poultry farms and orchards to building development and residential housing.

“With this rapid growth, the Shire soon became a town in 1973 and not long after, in 1977, we became a City,” he said.

“Today, the City of Gosnells is the sixth largest local government by population in WA, with more than 133,000 residents, 11 suburbs and a mix of housing, parks, rural areas and natural spaces like Ellis Brook Valley.

“We’re also one of the State’s most culturally diverse communities, with over 43 per cent of people born overseas and the second largest Indigenous population in Perth.

“As a result, our community has embraced this tremendous variety of people and cultures, which has inspired one of our most popular annual events, the Fusion Food and Culture Festival.

“The work of the City has changed dramatically over 60 years, from initial land administration to current day delivery of a wide range of services from waste and recycling, town planning, animal control, building regulation, parks, environmental management, facilities, community services and events.

An exhibition highlighting the City’s history as a local government will feature at the City’s Civic Centre from now until Friday 30 July before moving to The Orange Room at The Knowledge Centre library in Gosnells.

Published on

21st Jun 2021