Scarborough facts that matter
From holiday homes to units
The City of Stirling says Scarborough was once mostly holiday homes and post-war workers' houses. Redevelopment along the beach began in the mid 1980s, so housing runs from timber-framed cottages and 1960s flats to modern units.
Mostly attached homes
At the 2021 Census, 36.2% of the suburb's occupied homes were separate houses, 47.6% townhouses, terraces or semis and 16.1% flats or apartments. 39.4% were rented.
Lots average 800 m²
That's the City's figure, with smaller lots north of Scarborough Beach Road.
Empty on Census night
12.8% of private dwellings in the suburb were unoccupied.
Street trees and the verge
Brush Box makes up more than 15% of the City of Stirling's street trees and was widely planted from the 1940s to the 1980s. Pruning, damaging or removing a street tree without authority is treated as vandalism, and penalties may apply. If verge roots are in your drain, report the tree to the City and have the pipe on your side repaired.
After digging, put the verge back within the rules: paving, synthetic turf or concrete may cover no more than one third of it.
Where your sewage goes
Scarborough marks one edge of the catchment for Water Corporation's Subiaco Water Resource Recovery Facility in Shenton Park. Running since 1927, it treats about 65 million litres a day from 120,000 homes and businesses between Scarborough, North Fremantle and Maylands.
On your block, keep the overflow relief gully working: Water Corporation says its loose grate should be able to pop off, clear of pot plants and leaf litter, and sit above the surrounding ground. A blocked property connection is the owner's to clear, up to the junction with Water Corporation's main.
Street drainage
The City of Stirling owns the street stormwater network, while main drains and sewerage are Water Corporation's. Each April and September it vacuums silt from its pipes at about 800 locations.
Perth pages for the job: blocked drains, pipe relining, leak detection, hot water or an emergency plumber.
What we would do
In an older house, have the drain specialist start at the overflow relief gully and the inspection openings, so you know quickly whether the blockage is yours or in the main. In a unit block, ask the strata manager which pipes are shared before anyone starts. We will match the job with a plumber who specialises in it; the plumber who takes it is the only one who sees your phone and email.