City Beach (Perth, WA) | suburb, residential area

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CITY BEACH is a beachside suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located within the Town of Cambridge. Its postcode is 6015. The term "City Beach" is also used to describe a specific beach located within the suburb of the same name. The name is possibly derived from the fact that it is the beach that is closest in proximity to the city centre of Perth.

City Beach consists of three sections, a northern section (bordering Scarborough, a central section bordering Wembley Downs and Floreat and a southern section (bordering Bold Park). The southern section is the generally more expensive of the residential areas but arguably the Windarra Drive precinct is the most prestigious and expensive, although all sections place City Beach among Western Australia's elite postcodes. The northern part was built immediately prior to the 1962 Commonwealth Games (then called the Empire Games) as an athletes' village due to its proximity to Perry Lakes Stadium in neighbouring Floreat.

On the 9th of December, 2005, City Beach's high school was officially closed by the Department of Education and Training due to a lack of new student enrolments and the opening of Shenton College 5 kilometres away in 2000.

[edit] History

In 1917, the Perth City Council purchased the Lime Kilns Estate of 1 290 acres, situated between the Endowment Lands and the City, thus linking the City with the ocean beach. The Council proposed to lay out an up-to-date seaside town near the ocean beach on garden city lines, embodying approved Town Planning principles, and making ample provision for recreation purposes. By 1928, the Council had allocated finance to commence work, and also referred to the beach as "City Beach". It appears this name developed because it was an area developed by the City Council and much more acceptable than "Ocean Beach" which was even more descriptive than City Beach.

[edit] Recreational activities

Activities could be divided into that which takes place within the suburb of City Beach and that which takes place on the actual beach. The area contains a football/cricket oval, numerous other grassy parks, as well a large area of bush land with a walking trail.

City Beach has two major beaches (Floreat Beach and "City Beach+) as well as a dog beach. Each of those beaches has its own competitive surf lifesaving club with all the associated facilities. Surfing is popular in the region and City Beach commonly has reasonable surf conditions for beginner to intermediate, although the break (particularly in summer) is often a shorebreak which can be hazardous at times. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are also summer activities that are frequently seen at City Beach. The sand is white/yellow and soft, making it an ideal surface for the beach volleyball courts and matkot. The main swimming and surfing area is protected between two groynes and it is overlooked by pleasant lawns.

There are expansive sand dunes and bushland areas along the coast which are home to wildlife such as hawks, mice and rabbits, and the occasional nang or Dugite. These dunes are currently under repair, and should not be entered, as the presence of people startle wildlife.