Osborne Park at a glance
From market gardens to industry
The suburb grew from market gardens on peaty soil between Lake Monger and Herdsman Lake. It became residential after World War II, but by the 1980s it was mainly industrial, with only the north-east still residential.
Townhouses and units, mostly rented
At the 2021 Census, 57.9% of occupied homes were townhouses, villas or semi-detached, 24.3% were flats and 17.6% were separate houses. 54.5% were rented.
Underground power under way
In 2023 the City of Stirling named parts of Osborne Park among the next areas for Western Power's Targeted Underground Power Program, with construction to start from mid-to-late 2025. The City still lists it (area 32) as a current project.
The 2010 hail belt
The hailstorm of 22 March 2010 was worst in a strip from Osborne Park to Crawley, with hail of 4 to 6 cm. Blocked gutters and drains made the flooding worse.
Renting here, or renting one out
WA sets a floor for every rental: at least two RCDs (safety switches) protecting all the lighting and power circuits. If a landlord hasn't fitted them after a written request, the tenant can send Building and Energy that request, the lease and a photo of the switchboard, and an inspection and an order to the owner can follow.
A tingle from a tap or an appliance is reported differently. On Western Power's network, every shock gets reported, however slight, so tenants tell Western Power first and the landlord second. If the fault is in the wiring or a fixed appliance, the landlord has to bring in a licensed electrical contractor.
Before a home is leased, it also needs compliant smoke alarms: working, connected to mains power and no more than 10 years old.
Workshops, showrooms and yards
Businesses bring their own jobs: three phase machinery, lighting for yards and showrooms, signage, and tagging of plug-in equipment. Under WA's workplace rules, plug-in gear used where it's likely to get damaged, such as outdoors or in wet or dusty areas, has to be inspected and tested regularly by a competent person.
For that side of things, see test and tag in Perth and commercial electricians in Perth.
Our take for Osborne Park
If you own a rental here, we'd check the board for two working safety switches before the next tenant moves in, then press the test buttons every three months as Building and Energy suggests. It's the simplest rule to meet, and it's the one a tenant can take to the regulator.
Want a specialist to sort it?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match the licence-checked local electrician who does this kind of work, and they call you. No ring-around, and your number goes to them alone.