Whiteman Park

Statement of Significance

Whiteman Park has aesthetic value as a natural setting of Swan Coastal Plain flora , which contrasts with Mussel Pool a permanent body of water, embellished with islands and low-key 1960s parkland architecture, surrounded by verdant lawn shaded by a blend of mature exotic and local trees; Buffered by bushland, Mussel Pool and its surrounds represents a continuum of community value for places that accommodate community gatherings large and small, especially for the purpose of picnicing and informal celebrations. This is a continuum of use that has been virtually unchanged since Lew Whiteman opened his gates for this purpose in 1960s. The place has historic value through its association with Lew Whiteman, a prominent local identity in the Swan Valley who was instrumental in the development and public promotion of the park; The purchase of Whiteman Park in the 1970s-80s from Lew Whiteman and others (over 30 separate title holders) demonstrates the Western Australian Government’s endeavour to secure open space for community uses and for the protection of the environment as Perth’s north-eastern corridor expanded; The water level of Mussel Pool is a visible point of connection with the Gnangara Mound, a major component of the regional water supply and an important reference site; and Whiteman Park has social value as a place of recreation for Western Australians, where the community can amongst other activities, picnic at Mussel Pool, experience transport heritage and bush walk through the Park’s bushland and wetland areas.

Physical Description

Whiteman Park is situated 20 kilometres north-east of Perth and consists of approximately 4,000 hectares of natural bush and pasture. It is a passive recreation area with many natural and man made elements. Entry to the Park is provided from both Lord Street and Beechboro Road. Approximately 650 metres south of the Lord Street entry there are timber stockyards, built by Wally De Burg. These yards date from Lew Whiteman’s time of ownership, however they are no longer used. The yards are made from wandoo timber, which was recycled from the Middle Swan Bridge. They mark the original point of access to Lew Whiteman's picnic area and the early entry to Whiteman Park. At the heart of the park is Mussel Pool, a permanent water body that is the surface expression of groundwater from the Gnangara Mound. The pool was extended and deepened by Lew Whiteman in the early 1962/63 and his landscape design remains largely unchanged though access and facilities have been added to come with increased use. The pool remains surrounded by bush, retaining its original context as a bush oasis. Two roads (Mussel Pool Road and Harrow Street) provide access to the Pool, passing through natural bush on route. Surrounding the pool are manicured lawns with machinery displays and other items dating from Lew Whiteman’s time of ownership. The surrounding bush acts as a buffer from the other park activities. This bush buffer is part of the special quality of Mussel Pool 'oasis' experience and is worthy of conscious protection. Across Mussel Pool there is Log Bridge that was made from a single log. The single log was sawn in half to provide the frame for a substantial structure with log rails. There is also a jetty projecting into Mussel Pool with concrete piers, which originally supported a searchlight engine with a water pump on it. A distinctive timber log Stockman’s Hut, built by Fred Whitney is located on the southern side of Mussel Pool. It was built circa 1968 in an area slightly away from the picnic area so it could be used to tie up horses. Behind the Hut is a timber sink carved from a timber slab. A toilet structure of similar construction to the Stockman’s Hut is also extant, being the first log cabin structure built. On the Island in the middle of Mussel Pool there is an octagonal gazebo structure supported by a central pole that is held in place by a cable drum, which serves as a picnic table. Curved timber lintels over the doorways are carefully executed features. There are a number of items of bush furniture which remains around Mussel Pool including log seats and a slab table from which meat was cut for picnics. Over time more modern buildings and facilities have been added to the park as it has grown in popularity, these are largely focused to the north of Mussel Pool in an area called the Village, which was deliberately developed to be a separate activity area from Mussel Pool. Railway heritage was introduced to Whiteman Park in the early 1980s and has developed into a strong part of the place’s identity. With many relocated pieces of infrastructure dotted around the park including, the Nungarin Station building (relocated 1989), Cottesloe Signal Cabin, Wagin Lever Frame, Collie Signal Cabin, Parkers Siding, Rocky Bay Cabin Staff Shed and both the old Claisebrook and Subiaco Station buildings that now make up the Village Junction Station. The Perth Electric Tramway Society provides a tram service over 4 kilometres of standard gauge track through picnic areas and farmland, operating between Mussel Pool and the Village.

History

The Park owes its name to Mr Lew Whiteman (1903-1994) who bought land in the area in 1939 for the purpose of grazing cattle. Later he developed a picnic area known as Mussel Pool, which was opened to the public in the 1960s. Mr Whiteman deepened and lengthened an existing pool in the Bennett Brook and constructed a dam across the downstream end. It was named Mussel Pool, due to the presence of large fresh water mussels which were once prolific in the area. The damming of this watercourse had inadvertently prevented the seasonal migration of small fish species from downstream resulting in the upper reaches of Bennett Brook becoming devoid of fish life. This issue lead to the construction of a fish ladder to reconnect Bennett Brook and Mussel Pool. A Murdoch University zoologist designed the fish ladder. It was built by a "Work for the Dole" team in 1999, and was the first of its kind in Australia. The Metropolitan-Region Planning Authority (now Western Australian Planning Commission) purchased the land from Mr Whiteman and other adjacent landholders between 1977 and 1983 to make up the public park. The park was created to ensure that as Perth’s north-eastern corridor grew, there would be adequate open space for community use and for the protection of the environment. The Park was officially opened in 1986 and named in recognition of Mr Whiteman. Transport heritage is a strong theme at Whiteman Park and dates back to the 1960s, when Lew Whiteman assembled a collection of wagons and machinery on the land he then owned around Mussel Pool. There are now five independent community groups based at Whiteman Park; each hold significant transport heritage collections and provide rides and displays for visitors. These groups are the Motor Museum of WA, Tractor Museum of WA, Bus Preservation Society of WA, Western Australian Light Railway Preservation Association (operating Bennett Brook Railway) and the Perth Electric Tramway Society (operating the Whiteman Park Heritage Tramway). Today the place is reserved for Parks and Recreation and managed by the Western Australian Planning Commission through the Department of Planning.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate

Condition

Good

Creation Date

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