Medina Townsite

Child Places

• 12086 First Municipal Roads Board Office
• 12095 Medina Shopping Centre
• 24503 Anglican Church (fmr)
• 24486 Medina Avenue Trees
• 15098 Uniting Church
• 15099 Uniting Church Manse
• 27231 House, 19 Cowcher Way West, Medina
• 24441 Medina Town Hall
• 24535 Chalk Hill
• 24437 Medina Infant Health Centre
• 12105 Harry McGuigan Park
• 03051 Kwinana Police Station (fmr)
• 24439 Medina State School

Physical Description

The Medina Townsite layout is still largely consistent with its design from the early 1950s. Apart from the street layout, lot positions and designation of uses the remaining elements which have been identified of heritage value are: First Municipal Roads Board Centre Medina Shopping Centre Anglican Church (fmr) Medina Avenue Trees Medina Town Hall Chalk Hill Harry McGuigan Park Kwinana Police Station (fmr) Medina State School

History

The townsite of Medina was planned and built by the Western Australian State Government to support the BP oil refinery located on the coast at Kwinana. The government invested heavily to establish this industry in Western Australia and the provision of housing and services for the workers, many from overseas, was a key aspect of the scheme. Commencing in 1952, by 1955, 653 homes were completed in Medina. The town was designed by architect and planner Margaret Feilman. Feilman was influenced by the principles of 'New Town' planning which had developed in Britain in the post war period. Broadly, the 'New Towns' were self sufficient and socially balanced. Feilman was also keen to incorporate the natural landscape into her designs and she was an early adopter of methods to manage the natural environment. She was an influential figure in Perth as an architect, town planner and educator. The layout of the town was shaped by the landscape and its location was guided by the need to protect its residents from the worst of the fumes from the refinery. The townsite designed by Feilman under the management of the State Housing Commission was initially limited in its services with a small group of shops and a school available to the new residents. Within a few years, other commercial premises were established and additional community facilities were constructed, such as the library, town hall, police station and infant health centre. The places which remain from this first phase of works have been altered and added to, and others have been demolished. The record of the site of these former services together with the remaining structures demonstrate the initial form of the town. Places identified within this broader parent listing are: First Municiapl Roads Board Office Medina Shoping Centre Anglican Church (fmr) Medina Avenue Trees Uniting Church Medina Town Hall

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.