Dalkeith, Western Australia

History

The suburb takes its name from a cottage built in 1833 by Captain Adam Armstrong and his sons, early settlers of the area that arrived aboard the ship the Gilmore. Armstrong, previously being the manager of the Earl of Dalkeith's estate in Scotland, named the cottage ‘Dalkeith Cottage’. The cottage was on a farm bought by James Gallop, who built a two-storey house in the 1870s, now known as Gallop House. In 1897 the farm was sold off in lots for residential use. The house was bought by the state government in 1911, and was neglected for several decades before being restored in 1963-4.

Jutland Parade, along with Victoria Avenue is unarguably the most exclusive street in Dalkeith. However, Bishop Road, which runs off Victoria Avenue is the third most expensive street in the whole of Western Australia, falling behind Saunders Street and Riverside Drive of Mosman Park.

Along the southern riverside lies Sunset Hospital, a health facility built in 1904 and closed in 1995. Several of the buildings are heritage listed, limiting the money that could be made by selling the prime location land. In 2005, the University of Western Australia entered into an agreement with the state government to redevelop the site, including a museum, aged care and residential apartments. In September 2007 UWA withdrew from the agreement, citing delays and restrictions caused by the heritage status of the site.

Secession

In early 2009, residents of Dalkeith formed a movement to secede from the City of Nedlands and form their own local government area, most likely the Shire of Dalkeith. These residents suggest secession is economically viable - the Shire of Peppermint Grove (the smallest local government area in Australia) has been established since 1895 and currently has about 1600 residents, whereas Dalkeith currently has over 4000.