Wanju Welcome Bentley St James

What’s being shaped?

City of Canning’s 16 neighbourhoods are dynamic, each with their own unique characteristics, aspirations and opportunities.

Wanju Welcome Bentley St James aspires to create a neighbourhood of welcome in which everyone feels like they belong, can be themselves and take ownership for shaping the neighbourhood's shared story.

We want to hear your own story of Bentley St James to understand past, present and potential stories of the local area. The stories will help us understand the local community's vision for what makes a great neighbourhood and how we can work together to breathe new life and vitalityContinue reading

What’s being shaped?

City of Canning’s 16 neighbourhoods are dynamic, each with their own unique characteristics, aspirations and opportunities.

Backstory

Bentley and St James are both located on Whadjuk Country. The Whadjuk Noongar history within Canning is as significant today as it was in the past.

The Djarlgarro Beelier (Canning River) provided an abundance of resources as well as food for the Noongar people. The area reportedly had one of the highest densities of Noongar population in Western Australia.

Bentley and St James are suburbs within the City of Canning and are located 8kms from the Perth CBD.

Established as a suburb in the 1940's, Bentley contained a high percent of public and social housing. In 1969-1970, the Brownlie Towers precinct was created which had its own school, community centre, shopping area, swimming pools and sports facilities. The towers were demolished in 2019 making way for the upcoming 'Bentley 360' project which plans to redevelop and infill the area.

St James is another historical suburb gazetted by the City of Canning in the 1950’s also with a high percent of public and social housing and with plenty of heritage and authentic character.

Today, there is a large young population within the areas, Bentley’s population contains above the state average for people aged 20-34 years due to the tertiary institutions in the area and large amount of student housing. Bentley also has a large amount of residents who were born overseas adding to the diversity within the area.

There are already many active community groups within the area.

Get Involved

A great neighbourhood has a strong identity that builds connectedness in its community. We believe our relationship to a neighbourhood is strengthened when we're invested in its past, present and potential stories.

The Bentley St James Neighbourhood Survey is now closed, you can read the Neighbourhood Snapshot.

You can also email welcome@canning.wa.gov.au kelly.harding@canning.wa.gov.au directly, with any ideas or enquiries to get involved.

What are the next steps?

Read the neighbourhood snapshot report.

What's On

Neighbourhood Events Lab

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Neighbourhood Events Lab

Always wanted to learn how to host your own community event? Start with us now. Starting from 16 October we will be running 5 FREE mini workshop series for anyone wanting to learn more about
- Running community events
- Managing and recruiting volunteers
- Digital marketing
- Canva creatives
- Post event evaluation learnings
Spaces are limited and registrations are necessary. Sessions can be attended as a series or individually.

To find out more and to register visit - https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/neighbourhood-events-lab-series-3666519
Wanju Neighbourhoods StreetSport Program

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Wanju Neighbourhoods StreetSport Program

The City of Canning is proud to announce a new community program – StreetSport, for young people aged 10-15 years living in Queens Park or Bentley St James surrounds.

Set to be delivered in Term 4 of 2024 and continuing through Term 2 of 2025, the StreetSport Program is proudly funded by the Criminal Property Confiscation Grants.

Seeking to offer positive alternatives to negative behaviours, StreetSport aims to engage young people in sports and skills sessions and connect them with local support organisations.

In partnership with Bentley Primary School, Football West, Perth Basketball Association and WA Cricket, the program will deliver weekly sports activities across Term 4 in 2024 and Term 2 in 2025. This initiative will also be supported by WA Police, Salvation Army and Headspace.

Interested parents and guardians can email the Neighbourhood team or visit the local YourSay page to register.

For more information and to register:
- Email Neighbourhood team at community@canning.wa.gov.au
- Visit the YourSay page – Bentley and St James or Queens Park.
Neighbour Day Snapshot

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This year City of Canning provided $250 for Neighbour Day grants through a pilot project to support local residents to connect with one another and hold a range of events across the city.
16 suburbs participated, 20 events were hosted and over 850 people attended. For more information you can read the Neighbour Day Snapshot.
Family Festival

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Join in the fun at our Family Festival at Wyong Reserve, Bentley.
Friday 15 March - 3pm to 5pm
The free event will include children's activities and entertainment, children's snacks and information about local supports for families.
Walls Alive: A mural Celebration

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Come and celebrate the newest wall mural in Bentley!
As part of the Youth Services Urban Arts, Hoops and Well-being Program, community are invited to celebrate and recognise the amazing work achieved by local young people throughout the year.
Free food, fun activities, face painting, music and more!
Monday 8 January 2024
11.30am-2pm
Bentley Community Centre
(Bookings are essential)
Walk Talk Play in Bentley St James

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Join us for three weeks of summer fun in Chapman Park on Tuesday over January and February 2024. The Neighbourhood Team will set up some fun interactive games and activities around the park.

A range of City teams will be involved in one or more of our sessions with some fun activities - including Libraries, Community Safety and Ranger Services, Waste team and Events team.

We'd love to see you there!
Warwick Park upgrade is now completed!

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The park has been transformed into an Urban Forest sanctuary for the community to relax and connect with nature.
Over 40 trees and 3000 shrubs have been planted in this park to provide a shady and attractive space that will also attract more wildlife.
The park has received some exciting new features such as a new bird watering station, nesting boxes, murals done by a local artist Melski McVee and three new native bee and insect hotels with one created with the assistance of Bentley Primary School students.
If you’re looking for a spot to unwind, head to Dumond Park!
Dumond Park is now open!

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The park has been transformed into an Urban Forest sanctuary for the community to relax and connect with nature.
Over 40 trees and 3000 shrubs have been planted in this park to provide a shady and attractive space that will also attract more wildlife.
The park has received some exciting new features such as a new bird watering station, nesting boxes, murals done by a local artist Melski McVee and three new native bee and insect hotels with one created with the assistance of Bentley Primary School students.
If you’re looking for a spot to unwind, head to Dumond Park!
Painted power boxes at Warwick and Dumond Parks

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The City of Canning is thrilled to reveal the recently painted power boxes at Warwick and Dumond Parks in Bentley. These artworks have been designed and installed by well known artist, Mel McVee.
Bentley Bonanza Youth Fest!

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Please join the City in celebrating the completion of the Bentley Parkscapes Program, in which eight parks across Bentley have been upgraded, and have some fun at the Youth Fest event! There will be lots of free activities between 3.30pm-6.30pm.
The Neighbourhood team will also be down there to talk to local residents and share insights of what you've told us you'd love to see in Bentley and St James over the next 2-3 years.