Tuart Hill

Tuart Hill acquired its name from majestic stands of tuart trees, or Eucalyptus gomphocephala, which once grew extensively throughout the area. Tuart Hill was part of the original crown grant of 6 020 acres (Location Au Perthshire) taken by T.R.C. Walters in 1840. In 1872 a road to the settlement of Wanneroo was constructed through the area and the many local tuart trees became a landmark to travellers. The timber was a valuable resource for millwrights, shipwrights and wheelwrights as it is very strong. In 1905 land at Tuart Hill was sold by Walters to local developers, Town Properties of Western Australia Ltd. Town Properties offered lots in the western portion of the Tuart Hill for sale; however, development was relatively slow due to the perceived remoteness of the area. In 1905 the Perth City and Suburban Land Company was selling 800 square metre blocks in its Grenville Estate.  The Grenville name has remained in a street and a reserve name.  In 1913, the Grenville Progress Association was formed due to the residents’ feelings of neglect and isolation.  There were few residents in the area and their requests for upgrading of the sandy tracks which were the local roads were unsuccessful.  One of the decisions from the Progress Association was to request that the Lands and Surveys Department declare a separate locality of Grenville, as Osborne Park was such a large suburb.  Their choice of name was rejected on a variety of grounds but the Association persevered and renamed themselves the Tuart Hill Progress Association in 1916.  However, it was still almost a decade before the name became official for the suburb. 

After saving and fundraising for six years, the Tuart Hill Progress Association had sufficient funds to build a public hall. The Association recouped some of their funds by the hiring out of the hall. 

Prior to World War II, much of Tuart Hill was still used for rural purposes. The building of houses began to accelerate after the war, and by the 1960's the suburb was fully developed.  Following the Second World War the tuart trees had mostly disappeared, but the name was retained for the suburb.

Tuart Hill contains a rich diversity of housing types and styles, ranging from single residential dwellings to villas, terrace houses and flats. The design of housing varies from post-war Austerity dwellings to modern style two storey developments. While most homes in Tuart Hill are constructed of brick, many timber-framed houses still exist. The majority of the higher density housing has been constructed during the last decade, though there are some flat developments dating from the 1960's.  One reason for the increase in higher density dwellings is the desire of retirees to remain in the same area but without the need to care for a large plot of land.

Commercial and retail development in Tuart Hill is centred around Wanneroo Road and there are also a number of small delis to cater for local daily needs. Grenville Reserve and Robinson Reserve are local recreation centres which contain facilities such as full-sized playing fields, lawn bowls and passive recreation areas. Tuart Hill also contains a library on the western boundary of the suburb.

St Keiran’s Primary and Tuart Hill Primary cater for younger students, Servite College is another private school in the area, and Tuart Hill High School served older students from its establishment in 1962 until 1981.  The Education Department proposed in 1981 to convert the school to a Senior College in 1982 due to the decreasing numbers of secondary students.  Concerned parents and residents requested a delay in the change until 1983, to allow the Year 8 classes from 1981 to complete their Year 10 at the school: this request was not granted.  In 1981, girls from the high school had the opportunity to meet Queen Elizabeth II following their performance as one of three dance schools presenting items at a concert in honour of the Queen’s visit.  Tuart College provides returning students the opportunity to complete their studies or take a variety of other courses.

Robinson Reserve is located on Royal Street and provides a significant recreational area. Robinson Reserve is also used as the Osborne Park Show Grounds and exhibitions have taken place there since 1914.