Belmont Trust: The history of the land since 1829

1829 — Land divided

A series of long and narrow blocks were created along the Swan River (near what is now known as Ascot) to allow each land owner access to the river frontage. The land parcel known as Swan Location 33 was originally taken up by James Henty in 1829. Part of that land was then acquired by Philip Dod after Henty relinquished it.

1831 — Grove Farm established

Philip Dod exchanged his land with John Hardey, who then established Grove Farm. The Hardey family home is no longer there, but is believed to have sat in the top north portion of Swan Location 33, just outside of what is now part of the Trust Land.

1850s — Changing land uses and divisions

Part of Hardey’s land was used as the first racecourse until the Western Australian Turf Club acquired the present Ascot site in 1852. By 1858, Hardey’s son Robert had taken over management of the farm.

1890s — Grove Farm up for lease

Grove Farm was put up for lease in 1890. At the time, it was 700 acres of land and described as a ‘good dairy and potato farm’.

1900s — Sporting new uses

Throughout this time, the Grove Farm land was further subdivided.

From 1900 to 1908, the Perth Golf Club (predecessors of the Royal Perth Golf Club) operated a nine-hole golf course (Belmont Links) on what was known as Grove Farm. The golf grounds were renowned for flooding, which led to the club relocating to South Perth in 1908.

By 1909 the Belmont Park Road Board was reported as actively seeking land for recreation reserves.

According to The Swan Express newspaper: “…the secretary was instructed to communicate with several large landholders in the district asking that areas from 20 to 25 acres in extent in the various locations indicated be transferred to the Board to be held in trust for the people.”

1910s — Changing hands

In 1912, the Belmont Park Road Board (the Board) purchased Lot 223 from Town Properties. An area of nearly 22 acres was obtained.

In 1915, approximately two acres of this land was transferred to The West Australian Pottery Company Ltd, later known as HL Brisbane & Wunderlich Ltd. This parcel of land was later gifted back to the Board in 1953.

Belmont Park Road Board retained the remaining Lot 223 land of just over 19 acres.

1930s — The Grove

The land appears to have remained undeveloped during the 1930s. At this stage the entire area was known as “The Grove.”

1940s — Land acquired by the Board

On the south/east boundary of Lot 223 were Lot 10 and Lot 49.

In 1946, these lots, then owned by a dairy farmer named Patrick Francis Love, were compulsorily acquired by the Board under the Public Works Act. The acquisition and negotiation over price was documented in the Board’s minutes and eventually gazetted.

The land was set apart for the purposes of “recreational ground.”

1954 — Belmont Trust formed

In 1954, the Belmont Park Road Board declared a Deed of Trust for the purposes of recreation over a portion of land, now referred to as the “Trust Land” and historically known as Lots 10, 49 and 223.

Plans were approved to build a stadium (Belmont Oval) at the junction of Stoneham Street and Great Eastern Highway in Belmont.

1955 — Rugby headquarters

Belmont Oval was officially opened by the Australian Rugby League President, Jersey Flegge, in May 1955. The launch was commemorated with a game between Western Australia and France.

1960s and 1970s — Sporting ventures

Belmont Oval was used for rugby league, soccer and bowling purposes over this time. Grass tennis courts were also nearby, although not technically part of this same parcel of land.

1980s — A new pitch

The area occupied by Belmont Oval became redeveloped for baseball, with Parry Fields launched in 1983.

In the 1980s, a small pocket of this land was transferred to the Water Authority (now the Water Corporation) to house a pumping station.

1990s — The deed rediscovered

In 1994, enquiries over a Certificate of Title involved in the development and intended sale of a portion of land led to the discovery of the caveat that existed over the land. The Deed of Trust from 1954 was rediscovered.

In 1997, the baseball field was demolished as part of plans to redevelop the area.

Part of the land was turned into a canal leading to the Ascot Waters residential marina development. This development was opened in 1998 by then Premier Richard Court and Belmont Mayor, Peter Passeri.

2000s — Passive recreation

While the status of the Deed of Trust was uncertain, the City of Belmont fenced off the land formerly used as Parry Fields land for a lengthy period of time. The remaining areas were set aside for passive recreation.

2004 — Officially named 

In November 2004 at a meeting of the Trustees the formal name for the land was adopted as ‘Belmont Trust’. The name was chosen from a selection of suggested names put forward by the Belmont Historical Society.

Now and into the future

New development has not been planned for this parcel of land – and the Declaration of Trust mean the path forward is not a direct and obvious one.