In 1844, a grant of 780 acres was granted to Samuel Moore in an area now covered by Balcatta. After his death in 1875, the land was sold to John Charles Mews for £300 and the first trace of the name Balcatta can be found on the offer for sale by Mews in 1888. Another section of Balcatta was also once part of an extensive grant given to T. R. C. Walters in 1840. Source: Wikipedia.
Balcatta was predominantly used for market gardening until the 60s and 70s, when industries moved into the area and blue-collar workers began to establish homes.
The 1960s saw the evolution of Balcatta from a rural activity area into the established suburb it is today. Properties in Balcatta have a distinct southern-European influence and are predominantly single detached dwellings of brick and tile construction. The suburb also has a number of unit developments in its eastern sector as well as some character housing.
Take the historical photographic journey
We asked our local area expert Shaun Pettit what he loves about selling in Balcatta as he's been selling locally for 30 years.
"Balcatta is a fantastic family friendly suburb. There are a multitude of leafy parks, great schools and plenty of shopping options close by.
It is only 10km from Perth and has excellent access to all of the major roads making it easy to get around.
Best of all though is that the housing blocks are all 700sqm plus giving space for families and pets without that hemmed in feeling”
A well-rounded suburban existence is on offer in Balcatta, with plenty of parks, commercial facilities, amenities and public open space to enjoy. There are two shopping centres in the area, one that caters for local requirements and one that services district shopping needs, as well as four primary schools and a high school. Residents have several parks and reserves available to them which offer facilities like playing fields, sports ovals and tennis courts. There is also an industrial area in the suburb’s northern sector.
Dwellings in Balcatta are mainly single detached residences, although a number of unit developments exist within the eastern sector between Main Street and Wanneroo Road. Houses are generally made of brick and tile with many reflecting a southern European influence in their design. Character housing can be found in the area east of Main Street—these are generally older, timber-framed dwellings that housed the majority of market gardeners before Balcatta’s suburban development.
Balcatta is a fantastic location for families, offering many parks and reserves that have a range of facilities, including:
- Richard Guelfi Field and Jones Paskin Reserve, a large oval mainly utilised in the summer as a cricket oval and for general use by the local community. This is the home ground of the Balcatta Cricket Club.
- Grindleford Reserve and Macedonia Park, both home to soccer
- Rickman Delawney Reserve where you can play a spot of tennis or basketball or have a family bbq. The whole family can enjoy the new Andrew Guilfoyle Community Playspace. Named after the late Dr Andrew Guilfoyle, the brand new playspace ticks all the boxes:
- Awesome Slide
- Climbing Monkey Friendly
- Toddler Space
- Sports Play (basketball, netball, tennis, AFL, soccer & ball targets)
- Footpaths for walking or riding
- Nature Play with an amazing tree fairy garden
- Swings including a double parent/toddler swing
- Seating
- BBQs
- Parking
- Toilets
There are four primary schools located in the area:
Balcatta Senior High School, home to significant landmarks including the limestone pinnacles on the grounds which were unearthed in the 1930s and 1940s as surrounding sand was excavated.
Home grown talent
Balcatta Senior High School was also home to our very own super star
Johnny Ruffo, born and bred in Balcatta. At the age of 12, Ruffo began pursuing his dream in music, following in the footsteps of his idol, Michael Jackson. He also taught himself how to play the guitar and piano, and wrote his first song at the age of 14. Before entering
The X Factor, he worked as a concreter and got into the business thanks to his father who works in the trade. Ruffo also performed around Perth with electropop band, Supanova.
Sadly, Johnny Ruffo was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2017 and underwent surgery to remove a tumour.
In November 2020, he revealed the cancer had returned but vowed to “beat this s*** disease again”.
The former
Home and Away star - whose condition is terminal - says he is “scared” his family may not be with him when the time comes to “say goodbye”.
Source: 7news.com.au
Our thoughts and prayers are with him during this time.
With sales growth up by 10.9% and the annual median sales price $571,000, Balcatta will be certain to attract - check out our latest listings to rent or buy here.