Ellenbrook, Western Australia

This article is about the suburb. For the stream, see Ellen Brook.

Ellenbrook Perth, Western Australia
Ellenbrook Library as seen from Main Street
Coordinates	31.765°S 115.988°E / -31.765; 115.988
Population	24,668 (SAL 2021)
Established	1994
Postcode(s)	6069
LGA(s)	City of Swan
State electorate(s)	Swan Hills, West Swan
Federal division(s)	Hasluck
Suburbs around Ellenbrook: Melaleuca Melaleuca The Vines Lexia Ellenbrook Aveley Whiteman Henley Brook Aveley

Ellenbrook is an outer suburb and planned community in Perth, Western Australia, located 28 km (17 mi) northeast of Perth's central business district within the City of Swan.

At the time of the 2016 census there were 22,681 people living in Ellenbrook. By June 2018, it was estimated that the urban population for Ellenbrook and surrounds had grown to 41,382.

Ellenbrook is a designated secondary activity centre, both within the City of Swan and the larger Perth metropolitan area.

Geography

Ellenbrook is bounded by the Tonkin Highway to the west, Gnangara Road to the south and Maralla Road to the north. Its eastern boundaries are blended across the suburbs of The Vines and Aveley, both of which were formerly part of Ellenbrook in earlier years. The suburb sits in the south-east corner of the Gnangara Mound at the northern end of the Swan Valley region, close to the Darling Scarp.

The Gnangara pine plantation west of the suburb features walks and picnic facilities accessible from Ellenbrook. To the south and south west lies Whiteman Park and the rural community of Cullacabardee respectively. For a long time, these areas segregated Ellenbrook from the frontier of the Perth metropolitan area. With suburban development occurring in Henley Brook and Brabham to the south, this is no longer the case and Ellenbrook now forms part of the contiguous Swan Urban Growth Corridor.

Conservation category wetlands were incorporated as public open spaces throughout the suburb. In the far north of Ellenbrook's boundary are over 300 hectares of wetlands that were ceded for conservation, on the recommendation of the Environmental Protection Authority. These are protected under the Perth metropolitan Bush Forever strategy.

Villages

Ellenbrook was built in stages, with a series of suburban residential 'villages', starting with Woodlake in 1995 and finishing with Annie's Landing in 2014. Supporting these villages are three primary neighbourhood centres for services, retail and entertainment - the Town Centre on Main Street, the District Centre on The Broadway and Woodlake Village on Highpoint Boulevard.

Three additional villages were also developed by the Ellenbrook Joint Venture, but they sit outside of the Ellenbrook suburb boundaries - Morgan Fields in Henley Brook, and Woburn Park and Equis Lake, both in The Vines. All three blend into Ellenbrook's suburban mass and were generally included by the joint venture as part of the wider Ellenbrook community, branding and sales exercise.

Transport

Roads and Highways

Tonkin Highway (State Route 4) runs north-south along the western edge of Ellenbrook, connecting it to Perth's freeway network and providing a direct link to the metropolitan centres of Morley, Perth Airport and Armadale, as well as Great Northern Highway into the Mid-West region. Drumpellier Drive and West Swan Road (State Route 52) provide additional southbound links to the metro area, while Gnangara Road (State Route 84) runs westbound to Joondalup and the coast.

Local roads The Promenade, The Broadway, Banrock Drive and Pinaster Parade serve as the primary distributor roads throughout the suburb.

Public Transport

Ellenbrook is the terminus of the Morley-Ellenbrook railway line from Bayswater, with its terminus station located in the town centre. The railway line runs at-grade through the town centre and the village of The Bridges, before joining up with Drumpellier Drive as it leaves the town.

Bus services link Ellenbrook with Morley and Bassendean railway station. A journey to the Perth CBD by public transport takes approximately 60 minutes.

•    334 Ellenbrook Central to Ellenbrook – serves Main Street, The Promenade, Henley Brook Avenue, Westgrove Drive, Elmridge Parkway and Wyara Link
•    335 Ellenbrook Central to Midland Station – serves Main Street, The Parkway, Highpoint Boulevard, Sunray Circle, Woodlake Boulevard, Pinaster Parade, Ponte Vecchio Boulevard and Gnangara Road
•    336 Ellenbrook to Henley Brook Bus Station – serves Wyara Link, Elmridge Parkway, Farmaner Parkway, Thorold Avenue, Oakhill Heights, Arrowsmith Avenue, Brookmount Drive, The Promenade, Main Street, The Parkway, Highpoint Boulevard, Sunray Circle, Woodlake Boulevard and Pinaster Parade
•    337 and 338 Ellenbrook Central to Henley Brook Bus Station – serve Main Street, The Promenade and Gnangara Road
•    355 Ellenbrook Central to Whitfords Station – serves Main Street and Pinaster Parade
•    955 Ellenbrook North to Morley Bus Station – serves Banrock Drive, The Broadway, Main Street and Pinaster Parade

History

Name

The name Ellenbrook is derived from the nearby Ellen Brook, a tributary of the Swan River. The brook in turn was named after Ellen Stirling, the wife of Captain James Stirling, Western Australia's first governor. The road Ellen Stirling Parade in the town centre is also named after her.

Although the brook is situated close by in the neighbouring suburbs of The Vines and Belhus, it no longer runs through Ellenbrook itself due to subsequent boundary changes.

Early use

The Ellenbrook area, often referred to as 'East Gnangara' prior to being gazetted, was originally part of the rural localities of Belhus and Upper Swan. Up until the 1980s, it comprised uninhabited banksia woodlands and wetlands, mature pine plantations and a large sand quarry operated by Boral. The only rural land use was the Egerton Stud farm and Roberts family estate in the south-east of the area.

The land was originally divided into four lots, each with different owners:

• South-west: The WA government's State Housing Commission, also known as Homeswest
• North-east: Japanese developer Sanwa Property Group, via their Australian subsidiary Sanwa Vines Pty Ltd
• South-east: Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd, the construction contracting company owned by John Roberts
• North-west: Mt Lawley Pty Ltd, a private company owned by philanthropist Martin Copley

Some of the pine plantations were retained in the south west of the suburb, and an active sand quarry still operates near Ellenbrook in the nearby locality of Melaleuca.

Sanwa were the first landowners to affect urban development in 1989, going on to develop The Vines Resort; a 36 hole golf course, hotel and country club estate in the north-east of Ellenbrook, in partnership with the State Government.

Foundational developments

The Ellenbrook area and north-eastern corridor was first highlighted for suburban development in 1987 in a report by the WA State Planning Commission. In 1990, the Department of Planning and Urban Development officially declared the area a growth corridor for Perth in their 'Metroplan' policy publication. In response, the four land-owners started the process of re-zoning with the Shire of Swan, and subsequently various agencies of the State Government.

In 1992, Ellenbrook was officially gazetted as a suburb/locality by the Shire of Swan, out of parts of Belhus and Upper Swan It covered all of the lots owned by Homeswest, Sanwa, Mt Lawley Pty Ltd and Multiplex, defining the boundaries of the new development project.

In the same year, the Environmental Protection Authority released its report on the Ellenbrook area, ultimately approving the project to go ahead subject to various conservation and environmental approvals. However, Multiplex and Mt Lawley Pty Ltd both decided to withdraw from the Ellenbrook project, and their land holdings were subsequently removed from the scope of development. Multiplex pursued their own independent environmental and development review processes separately from Ellenbrook, leading to the creation of Aveley in the 2000s, while most of the Mt Lawley Pty Ltd land was re-zoned to Parks and Recreation due to its high conservation value.

In August 1992, the Homeswest, Sanwa and Multiplex land holdings were all re-zoned from Rural to Urban Deferred via amendment to the Metropolitan Region Scheme. In late 1993, the Homeswest and Sanwa lands were successfully re-zoned again from Urban Deferred to Urban in late 1993, giving the green light to proceed. This prompted the creation of a public-private joint venture company - known as Ellenbrook Management Pty Ltd - between Sanwa and Homeswest to design, manage and deliver the planned development across their respective land holdings, with a 53%-47% split respectively.

With structural, environmental and town planning already well advanced, water and sewerage infrastructure was built along Gnangara Road by Water Corporation to the area. This allowed development of the first village, Woodlake to begin in 1995. The first primary school, Ellenbrook Primary School, opened in Woodlake in 1997, followed by St Helena's Catholic Primary School nearby in 1999. Woodlake also gained a small town centre with an IGA store and restaurants. Development of the second village, The Bridges followed shortly after in 1997, followed by Coolamon in 1999.

In 1996, the area containing The Vines Resort and estate was split from Ellenbrook into a separate suburb named "The Vines".

Later developments

In 2000, Sanwa's parent holding company entered financial difficulties and became insolvent. Sanwa sold their 53% stake of the Ellenbrook joint venture to a syndicate of investors known as Morella Pty Ltd. Simultaneously, a new company named LWP Property Group Pty Ltd, was created and engaged by the joint venture to take over project management and handle sales and marketing.

In 2003, Ellenbrook expanded with construction of both the village of Charlotte's Vineyard and the Town Centre precinct starting. The town centre featured two roads - Main Street and The Parkway - and the Ellenbrook Central shopping centre.

In 2006, the Multiplex portion of Ellenbrook was split into a separate suburb named Aveley - urban development of Aveley followed shortly thereafter.

In the same year, Mt Lawley Pty Ltd sued the Western Australian Planning Commission, after the latter sought to compulsorily purchase the former's Ellenbrook land holding at below market value. The Supreme Court found in favour of the WAPC. It remains protected wetlands today, separated from the rest of Ellenbrook by Tonkin Highway.

In 2007, the village of Malvern Springs began construction, north of Coolamon. Ellenbrook Secondary College opened in the Town Centre, giving Ellenbrook its first high school, and Ellen Stirling Primary School also opened in Coolamon.

In 2010, Ellenbrook Central shopping centre was expanded, and The Brook Bar and Bistro was built nearby giving Ellenbrook its first restaurant and pub. In the north of the suburb, the village of Lexia began construction, and the private Holy Cross College high school was built and opened in Coolamon.

In 2013, the final village of Annie's Landing began construction in the far north of the suburb.

In 2014, a small Urban-zoned 12 hectare pocket of the original Mt Lawley Pty Ltd landholding was also developed and marketed as the Lawley Private Estate. Although developed independently of the Ellenbrook Joint Venture, it was designed as to flow naturally into Charlotte's Vineyard as an unofficial extension of that village.

In 2020, the Brooklane shopping centre and retail precinct was built at the District Centre near Malvern Springs, providing Ellenbrook's third neighbourhood centre. The original Town Centre area also began to be built out with townhouses, medium-density apartments and microlot houses.

In 2023, LWP Property Group ceased operations, transferring their remaining selling rights and management responsibilities to Satterley Property Group.

Transport development

For the first 20 years of its existence, Ellenbrook was served by three highways - Lord Street and West Swan Road to the south, and Gnangara Road to the west. All three roads were two-lanes wide.

In 2006, Ellenbrook Transfer Station was opened near Woodlake Village, providing residents with a small bus terminal for access to other metro area centres.

During the campaign for the 2008 Western Australian election, incumbent Labor premier Alan Carpenter and Liberal opposition leader Colin Barnett both publicly pledged to build a new passenger rail line for Ellenbrook if elected. The 15 km line was expected to cost $850 million and be finished around 2015, with construction starting around 2012. Although the Liberal Party won the election, in May 2010 Barnett announced that the government had cancelled the project, declaring it uneconomical to proceed with. The cancellation attracted harsh criticism of the Barnett government.

In 2015, Gnangara Road was duplicated to a four-lane dual carriageway, providing a significant increase in capacity and safety for Ellenbrook commuters and residents.

In 2017, Transperth introduced upgraded bus services to Ellenbrook, including an hourly evening connection to Bassendean railway station on the Midland Line. In August, another bus route was introduced which connected Ellenbrook to Whitfords railway station on the Yanchep Line, via Gnangara Road.

In 2018, a new road bridge across the Ellen Brook was constructed at Railway Parade outside of The Vines, providing a link between Annie's Landing and Upper Swan.

In 2019, Tonkin Highway was extended to Muchea for the NorthLink WA project, providing a full north-south freeway link for Ellenbrook. Two freeway interchanges into Ellenbrook were constructed, at Gnangara Road and The Promenade. At the same time, the New Lord Street project delivered a second dual carriageway north-south link known as Drumpellier Drive, bypassing Lord Street.

Following the defeat of the Liberals and the election of Mark McGowan's Labor government in 2017, the stalled Ellenbrook railway line project was resurrected as part of Labor's Metronet campaign. Construction of the railway line and town centre terminus station commenced in 2022 and is due to finish in 2025, connecting Ellenbrook to the Midland Line and the rest of the Transperth rail network.

Facilities and Services

Ellenbrook is a primary activity hub for the surrounding areas and is designated a Secondary Centre within the City of Swan. Its town centre runs along Main Street providing pubs, cafes, restaurants, health centres, a large shopping centre, a railway and bus interchange, Ellenbrook Secondary College, state and federal electorate offices, a police station and a public library. A large strip of big-box retail malls, service stations and fast food restaurants runs along the length of The Promenade.

Ellenbrook also has a smaller secondary town centre on The Broadway, servicing the northern areas of the town plus The Vines. This is known as the District Centre and provides a shopping centre, health and retail tenancies, Aveley Secondary College, the Ellenbrook Community Centre and the Ellenbrook District Open Space (EDOS).

Further minor education and health precincts are spread throughout the suburb, as well as the fire station and bus interchange in Henley Brook immediately to the south.

The town relies on nearby Midland for other essential services and facilities such as Centrelink, the Department of Transport, the Midland Magistrates Court and St John of God Midland Hospital.

Education facilities

Ellenbrook and surrounds have a wide variety of primary and secondary schools, both public and private.

Primary schools in the area include:

• Arbor Grove Primary School - state primary school located in Charlotte's Vineyard
• Ellen Stirling Primary School - state primary school located in Coolamon
• Ellenbrook Christian College - private kindergarten to year 12 school located in The Bridges
• Ellenbrook Primary School - state primary school located in Woodlake
• Malvern Springs Primary School - state primary school located in the village of Malvern Springs
• St. Helena's Catholic Primary School - Catholic primary school located in Woodlake
• Anne Hamersley Primary School - state primary school located in the village of Annie's Landing
• Swan Valley Anglican Community School - kindergarten to year 12 Anglican school located in nearby Aveley
• Aveley Primary School - state primary school in nearby Aveley
• Aveley North Primary School - recently opened state primary school located close by in the northern section of Aveley.

High schools in the area include:

• Ellenbrook Christian College - private school that caters for students from Kindergarten to year 12.
• Ellenbrook Secondary College - public school serving years 7 to 12.
• Holy Cross College - Catholic high school which in as of now is catering for students from Years Pre-K through to 12
• Swan Valley Anglican Community School - An Anglican school located in the neighbouring suburb of Aveley, serving students from prekindergarten to year 12.
• Aveley Secondary College - public school located in the North of Ellenbrook, opening in 2018 catering to only Year 7 students - Adding a new year group annually. As of 2021, the school serves students in Years 7 to 10 and by the year 2023, the school will serve students in Years 7 to 12.

Ellenbrook Community Library, operated by the City of Swan, is co-located within Ellenbrook Secondary College and Performing Arts Centre.

There are no higher/tertiary education facilities, such as TAFE or universities, in Ellenbrook.

Sporting and leisure facilities

There are four main sporting grounds in Ellenbrook: Woodlake Sports Ground, Coolamon Oval, Charlotte's Vineyard Oval and Ellenbrook District Open Space (EDOS). Coolamon Oval and Ellenbrook District Open Space (EDOS) have clubroom and changing facilities and are the home of the Ellenbrook Eels Senior Football Club, the Ellenbrook Dockers Junior Football club (Australian Rules) and the Ellenbrook Rangers.

Other facilities include:

• Dual-purpose tennis/basketball courts at Woodlake Park and Coolamon Oval.
• Cricket nets on Woodlake Oval, Coolamon Oval and EDOS.
• Skateparks at Woodlake Oval and Coolamon Oval.
• A water park, aimed at younger children, completed in late 2009 located in the town centre adjacent to the library.
• Exercise facilities located at EDOS.
• Ellenbrook Men's Shed located adjacent to the water park.
• Ellenbrook Community Garden also located adjacent to the water park.

The suburb is also home to a junior and senior soccer club, Ellenbrook United FC.

Planning for a recreation and aquatic centre adjacent to EDOS and Aveley Secondary College in Ellenbrook has commenced and will host: a 25m indoor lane lap pool, warm water pool, spa, sauna, steam facilities, indoor multipurpose sports courts, gym/ health club, group fitness rooms, café, crèche, changing facilities and car parking.

External links

• Official Site
• UDIA Case Study
• Community Website
• Insurance Commission of WA (ICWA) - Details of Ellenbrook Restrictive Covenant
• ICWA Retail Masterplan (The Shops development plan)