A RICH ACADEMIC HISTORY

Churchlands Green has a rich history that can be traced all the way back to the opening of the Claremont Teachers College in 1902.

CLAREMONT TEACHERS COLLEGE

The Claremont Teachers College was Western Australia's first tertiary teaching institution and was the only place where students could gain qualifications, up until the 1950s. The college went through several ownership changes in the 1980s and was then acquired by the The University of Western Australia (UWA) in 2005.

The building still exists today along Bay Road in Claremont and is currently the location for UWA's Centre for English Language Teaching. It was placed on the Western Australia Heritage Register in 1992.

Claremont Teachers College, circa 1925.

Preparing for a search at the Police Horse Depot in Churchlands,1950s.

Aerial shot looking west of the WA College of Advanced Education in 1986 with the construction of the new nursing building.

EXPANSION TO CHURCHLANDS

According to records, the Claremont Teachers College expanded to include locations in Graylands (Mount Claremont today) and Churchlands in the 1950s. This was a key decision in the context of Churchlands Green today.

At the time of this expansion to the Churchlands site, the area included a Police Horse Depot & Stables along with a Police Horse Yard. The area was still mapped out with a number of proposed lots that were part of a subdivision of Herdsman Lake from the 1920s.

Aerial photographs show college buildings present at the Churchlands location in 1965. This was also the year that also saw Churchlands Primary School commence operation within these college buildings.

In 1972, the Churchlands Teachers College was formally established at the site. Also at this time, Churchlands Primary School was relocated to its current location.

In 1981, the Churchlands Teachers College became part of the Western Australian College of Advanced Education (WACAE). In 1986, construction of the nursing building began at the site, with the WACAE School of Nursing and Midwifery moving to the Churchlands campus in October of 1988.

In 1991, WACAE was officially granted university status. In that same year, WACAE changed its name to Edith Cowan University (ECU) in honour of Edith Dircksey Cowan - the first woman to be elected to an Australian Parliament.

Building 10 at the ECU Churchlands Campus, taken on the 24th of March 2008, shortly before the campus was officially closed.

ECU CONSOLIDATION PLAN

In 1998, ECU developed a bold ‘campus consolidation’ strategy that involved the eventual closure of the ECU Churchlands campus.

By 2003, the WA Planning Commission began the process of changing the land use zoning from University Purposes to Urban. The City of Stirling also agreed to rezone the land for residential use.

So, in July of 2008, the ECU Churchlands Campus was formally closed. The last remaining activities were re-located to the ECU Mount Lawley and ECU Joondalup campuses.

Photos indicate that the ‘on the ground’ development of Churchlands Green actually began in around 2006. The construction of houses appeared to start around 2008.

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

NS Projects (now Bridge42) was given the task to manage the redevelopment of the 20-hectare site into a 258-lot residential development. The new estate was to be named Churchlands Green.

The project spanned from 2005 to 2013 with the lots being sold off by Time Conti Sheffield, a renowned Perth property company. Houses were required to adhere to specific design guidelines, centred around low-maintenance, luxurious living.

In October of 2010, Edith Cowan Reserve, the main public open space at Churchlands Green, was officially opened. This event was entitled 'Tunes Amongst the Trees' and included performances by local musical group as well as attendance by relevant dignitaries.

By 2015, the Churchlands Green residential estate was virtually complete.

The development appeared to be hugely successful for Edith Cowan University (ECU). The project involved costs of $53 million but a whopping $181 million in revenue.

Aerial shot of ECU Churchlands Campus in May 2011 with the development of Churchlands Green well under way.

Aerial view of a fully complete Churchlands Green residential estate, looking west, November 2024.

CHURCHLANDS GREEN TODAY

Today, Churchlands Green features an array of academic inspired sculptures that represent the origins of the former ECU site.

These memorials include a refurbished campus amphitheatre, all of which can be found in and around Edith Cowan Reserve.

Residents of Churchlands Green enjoy a world-class lifestyle with close proximity to many established amenities and recreational activities.

The estate is also close to some of the most renowned and desirable schools in Perth. These include Churchlands Primary School, Churchlands Senior High School, Newman College, and Hale School.

The proximity to quality education is fitting when one considers the rich academic history of the estate - a history that spans over 100 years.

Part of the refurbished amphitheatre at Edith Cowan Reserve, December 2024.