Why a History?

Northbridge is the bustling, cosmopolitan hospitality and entertainment precinct of inner city Perth. Established in name in 1981 after a public competition, the area is characterised by its proximity to the Central Railway Station in the south, the Perth Cultural Centre in the east and the Mitchell Freeway in the west. Before 1981, the area was known as North Perth, West Perth, North of Perth, North of the Line and Little Italy.

Northbridge has a rich and vibrant history. The area was settled in the first years of the Swan River Colony's existence and its fortunes have ebbed and flowed in tune with the changing economic circumstances of the state. Originally, the location of a series of interconnected swamps, rapid development of the area did not occur until the gold rushes of the 1890s. The ensuing growth of the city, increased population and expansion of rail transport saw the area flourish as a trade and light-manufacturing hub. Repeated waves of migration from all parts of the globe ensured that the area reflected diverse ethnic, religious and occupational activity.

In the 1960s and 1970s, land reserved for a freeway led to a residential decline. Houses were converted to restaurants, which led to the boast 'more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the southern hemisphere' in the 1980s. In the mid 1980s to the early 1990s, burgeoning al fresco dining and a vibrant, cosmopolitan hospitality and arts scene saw the area become the entertainment precinct of Perth.

As is common with many inner city areas, the history of the Northbridge has been characterised by physical change and fluctuating fortunes. The proposed freeway did not proceed and a cut-and-cover tunnel began construction in the late 1990s, causing dislocation of traffic and a slump in business confidence. Increased competition from suburban shopping centres and entertainment precincts and changes in the composition of the neighbourhood community, saw people move away. Generational change meant that custodians of the early to mid-nineteenth century history of the area passed on and there was an increasing feeling that Northbridge was losing its special and distinctive qualities.

In 2002, in response to these concerns, a report by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet called Northbridge: Shaping the Future recommended investigating the history of the area to 'understand and embrace the area's history to create diversity, interest and business and tourism opportunities.'(1) As a result the Northbridge History Project was established by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

(1) Busch, J., 'Northbridge : Shaping the Future' (Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Perth, 2002), pp. 71-72.