Kwinana encompasses an area of 118 square kilometres and is located 40 km south of Perth CBD. It is connected to Perth via the Kwinana Freeway.
It got its name from a ship, SS Kwinana which ran aground on its beach in 1922. Its suburbs such as Medina, Calista and Parmelia were named after sailing ships which brought immigrants to Western Australia. The word Kwinana is an Aboriginal word for “pretty maiden”.
Ironically, Kwinana is actually a large industrial area and it spreads until Fremantle with no break. BP is the first industry in this area and is the only oil refinery in Western Australia. Port facilities were built and established by the state government to encourage growth in the area and to ensure there are sufficient infrastructures to support the local industries. As a result, other associated petro-chemical companies flourished.
Other than being an industrialised area, there are three public beaches suitable for swimming at Cockburn Sound. The remnants of SS Kwinana have been converted into a jetty at Kwinana Beach.
In addition, the local wetlands named The Spectacles and bushlands can be found in this area. The local industries practice safe environment preserving methods in their course of production. The BP Kwinana Refinery produces Australia’s cleanest petrol ie. BP Ultimate, in line with the strict environmental specifications of Europe and USA.
It is also home to Drag Racing, Dirt Track, Speedway, Burnoout Competitions, Street Machine Car Shows and Super Cross events. In December 2000, the Kwinana Quit Motorplex was built at a whopping cost of AUD$20 million.
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Australia