Baldivis is a semi-rural residential suburb south of the central business district of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, and southeast of the regional centre of Rockingham. It is located within the City of Rockinghamlocal government area. Housing estates in the suburb include Tuart Ridge, Settlers Hills, Settlers Townside, The Rivergums, Baldivis Central, Baldivis North, Baldivis Gardens, The Chimes, Brightwood, Evermore Heights, The Ridge, The Chase, Highbury Park, Heritage Park, The Dales, Avalon, Woodleigh Grove, Sherwood and Parkland Heights.
History
The name of Baldivis was thought up by settlers in the area who were attracted to the region by the 1920s Group Settlement Scheme. The name derives from three ships which travelled to Western Australia in 1922, all within six weeks of each other, bringing settlers under the scheme. They were named BALranald, DIogenes and the JerVIS Bay. It was the maiden voyage for all three ships and they were all built in the same shipyard in the same year. Land parallel to the eastern side of Baldivis Road was set aside for a tramway between Jandakot in the north and Karnup to the south, to provide access to the Group Settlement Scheme land. Although part of the tramway was constructed, it was never constructed in Baldivis. The tramway reserve is retained for open space. Many of the road names in Baldivis originate from the group numbers. Land in the western portion of Baldivis was zoned for urban development in the 1990s, and the suburb has been progressively developed for residential. The first residential estate to be developed was Settlers Hills, by Stockland.
Geography
The western half of Baldivis is composed of undulating sand and limestone soil with occasional wetlands. The high point is known as Tamworth Hill, which is the site of a water reservoir. Much of this land has been developed for residential use. East of Baldivis Road the land is generally flat and comprises sand and clay soils; the exception being the sandy hill known as Dog Hill. These areas are generally used for rural purposes. The western portion of Baldivis contains tuart trees; some of the trees have been retained within the residential areas.
Transport
Baldivis is serviced by the Transperth 563 bus route, operated byTransdev WA, which operates from Warnbro Train Station. This route services the Baldivis Town Centre during business hours, travelling through Settlers Hills via Arpenteur Drive through Evermore Heights, The Ridge and Terminate in The Dales. Route 567 services The Rivergums and Heritage Park. It also connects the Baldivis community with a regular service to the Baldivis Town Centre. Both routes run 7 days a week running every 30 minutes and every 10 minutes in peak hours. Route 568 services Baldivis Central and the newly developed Town Side estate and Retirement village. Route 565 services through newly established Baldivis Quarter. The Kwinana Freeway runs through Baldivis, providing vehicle access to Perth and Bunbury. Safety Bay Road links Baldivis with neighbouring suburbs to the west like Rockingham and Warnbro. The principal shared path along the Kwinana Freeway provides bicycle access to Perth.
Facilities
There is plenty for Residents to enjoy within Baldivis.
Fifty Road Recreation Centre and Sporting Grounds which are home to the Baldivis Brumbies, Baldivis Scouts and the Annual Baldivis Fair.
The Mary Davies Library and Community Centre was opened in 2014 and is home to many associations, clubs, dance groups, lessons and community groups for meetings and events.
The Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade building is situated on Eighty Road.
There is a bike pump park at the Rivergums estate.
The Tramway reserve is a protected walkway spanning the length of Baldivis
The Baldivis Children's forest is located on Mandurah Road
Education
There are ten schools in Baldivis, with more opening in the near future:
Baldivis Primary School, a government school which first opened in 1924 as a "bush school", and moved to its present location in Fifty Road in 1978. The site of the original Baldivis School is marked by a plaque on a large granite rock on Doghill Road, about 2 km from the intersection with St Albans Road.
Baldivis Gardens Primary School, opened in 2017 in the northern section of Baldivis off of Kerosene Lane.
Shopping
The main shopping facilities in Baldivis are located in the area known as the Baldivis Town Centre, on Settlers Avenue, and includes the Baldivis Shopping Centre owned by Stockland. Extensions completed in 2015 expanded the existing Shopping Centre to include a Food Court/Restaurant precinct, increased car park numbers, a Kmart and a Woolworths. In 2017, another shopping precinct, Baldivis Square, opened on Makybe Drive next to Makybe Rise Primary School. Baldivis Square includes a mix of retail, food and professional offices, anchored by an IGA. The electorate office of Reece Whitby, the local MLA for the Baldivis legislative district is located in Baldivis Square.
Sport
The Baldivis Soccer Club was formed in 2012 and are located at Baldivis South Sports Pavilion. The club has grown rapidly and now have 18 teams from the age of 6 right through all age groups senior men's/women's teams.
