Midland's mix of old and new
A railway town first
Midland Junction grew around the Town Hall (1906) and Post Office (1913) and spread outward for more than 70 years. The Midland Railway Workshops were the WA Government Railways' main workshops from 1904 to 1994, and the site went on the State Register of Heritage Places on 10 June 2008.
More townhouses than houses
The 2021 Census counted 50.6% of occupied homes as townhouses, terraces or similar, 32.2% as separate houses and 16.8% as flats or apartments. Midland is also the City of Swan's administrative and commercial centre, about 15 km north-east of the CBD.
Heritage rules come from the City of Swan
Places on the City of Swan's Heritage List need development approval for alterations. For places of considerable significance, the City says some changes, such as maintenance and repair, can go ahead without approval.
Asbestos on older Perth roofs
The City of Cockburn's heritage guide notes that inter-war and post-war Perth houses used asbestos-cement shingles. If your Midland home dates from those years, treat the roof as possibly asbestos until it's tested.
What usually needs doing on a Midland roof?
On attached townhouses, leaks often start where roofs meet: the box gutter (a gutter built into the roof rather than hung off the edge) between units, the flashing along a shared wall, and the valleys where two roof slopes join. Those spots need a roofer who'll look along the whole run rather than just your half.
Strata plans differ, so check your by-laws or ask the strata manager before you book anything. A repair on a shared roof goes faster when the neighbour or strata company has agreed to it beforehand.
On older cottages near the town centre, find out whether the house is on the City's Heritage List before replacing anything visible from the street. Roof repairs in Perth and roof replacement in Perth cover the jobs in more detail.
Not sure what the old roof is made of?
Don't drill, cut, water-blast or walk on it until it's been checked. Asbestos-cement sheeting and shingles were used on Perth homes in the inter-war and post-war years. Our asbestos checker helps you judge how likely it is, and a licensed assessor can confirm it.
What we'd do first in Midland
On a townhouse, we'd talk to the neighbour or strata manager before booking a roofer, because the fault is often on the shared part of the roof. On an older place, we'd settle the heritage and asbestos questions first. Each takes a phone call or two, and each saves a job stalling halfway.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.