Guildford/Hazelmere Local Area Plan

Priority 1 - Promote Guildford’s heritage and tourism sector  

• In 2019 Guildford Historic Town was added to the State Register of Heritage Places by the Heritage Council of WA (HCWA). The City has engaged heritage consultants to develop a new draft Guildford Heritage Area Local Planning Policy. The draft is open to public comment from April 2022 for 90 days, with drop-in sessions throughout the period. All feedback is then considered, the policy draft is finalised and then submitted to Council for endorsement. 
• The City of Swan supports the Swan Guildford Historical Society by providing recurrent funding for curatorial and education tourism tour services through an education tourism tour coordinator two days a week and a curator three days a week, since 2018. 

Priority 2 - Strengthen relationships with our diverse cultural community

• The City has supported the Guildford Association’s Dual Naming project for Guildford to recognise the wider Indigenous significance and heritage of Guildford. View the Guildford Entry Sign Map Opens in new window. Entry signs have been constructed at:
• Swan River crossings showing ‘Derbal Yerrigan, Swan River’ to signify the indigenous name for the Swan River. 
• Two at Helena River crossings showing ‘Mandoon Bilya, Helena River’ to signify the indigenous name for the Helena River.
• One at the Woodbridge/Guildford border without the river element of the sign.
• The RAP was endorsed by Council on March 2, 2022 and then formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia on March 29, 2022. The RAP is a strategic document that outlines the City’s vision for reconciliation and includes practical actions designed to strengthen respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, build a culture of respect, and implement work practices that promote equity and opportunity for all. This plan represents years of working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, non-Indigenous community, Council and staff, to articulate our vision for reconciliation: a community that works together with all people to foster a culture of respect, empowerment and inclusion.

Priority 3 - Provision of adequate bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure

• The City’s Cycle Network Plan supports the construction and use of bicycle and pedestrian pathways and amenities. A priority in the Cycle Network Plan is the Guildford and South Guildford Link. Investigations for a temporary pedestrian underpass on the south bank of the Helena River to allow South Guildford residents to safely cross from the eastern side to the western side of Great Eastern Highway, prior to construction of the replacement Helena River bridge. 
• Investigations for a temporary pedestrian underpass on the south bank of the Helena River to allow South Guildford residents to safely cross from the eastern side to the western side of Great Eastern Highway, prior to construction of the replacement Helena River bridge. 

Priority 4 - Protection and Retention of Trees and the Natural Environment

• The Urban Forest Plan was open for public comment from April 2, to May 21, 2021. Once adopted, implementation of the plan will include assessing each local area and setting individual targets. A briefing to council was held in April 2022 and the City's Asset Management business unit is investigating planting opportunities for each ward.

The Guildford/Hazelmere local area is located 12 kilometres north east of Perth and includes the historic town of Guildford, South Guildford, Hazelmere, Bushmead and part of the Perth Airport. The area is bounded by the Swan River, the suburb of Woodbridge, the Great Eastern Highway, the railway line and the Helena River in the north, Military Road, the Rifle Range, the Shire of Mundaring and Ridge Hill Road in the east, the Rifle Range, Sadler Drive, Adelaide Street, the railway line, the Shire of Kalamunda and the City of Belmont in the south, and the Swan River and the Town of Bassendean in the west.

Settlement of the area dates from the late 1820s when the area was explored by Captain James Stirling. By the 1830s, the town of Guildford was established as a significant port and trade centre, with land used mainly for agricultural purposes. Due to its location, the town site was able to serve as a river port and market centre for the surrounding agricultural districts.

The most significant development occurred in the post war years, with the population increasing during the 1990s and remaining relatively stable. The 2016 Census recorded a population of 6,192 persons with the highest areas of growth being in the younger age groups (5 to 19 years) with approximately 20 per cent of the population aged less than 15 years. The largest proportion of residents are aged 30 to 49 years and represent 30% of the area's total population.

Couple families represent 55 per cent of all households in Guildford/Hazelmere and 50 per cent of all households have children. Housing tenure in the area shows that 75 per cent of households are either purchasing or own their homes outright. The area has 2,812 people in the local labour force and 98 per cent (2,741 persons) are employed. Of these, 65 per cent work on a full time basis and 32 per cent work part time.

The Guildford/Hazelmere local area has a number of major features and attractions including:

• Swan Valley Visitor Centre
• Guildford Cemetery
• Palmer Barracks (Navy)
• Fishmarket Reserve
• Kings Meadow Oval
• Kings Meadow Polo Ground
• Queens Road Arboretum
• Stirling Square
• Garrick Theatre
• Olive Farm Winery
• St Charles Seminary
• Primary and secondary schools.