Morley's homes
The 1960s project-home era
Morley took off as a shopping and commercial centre from the late 1950s, and home builders' large-scale projects there were a new phenomenon of the 1960s. The City of Bayswater, which Morley sits in, had its biggest growth in the 1950s.
Mostly houses
Separate houses were 83.5% of Morley's 8,693 occupied homes at the 2021 Census, townhouses and semis 15.8%, and apartments 0.5%.
Long-time owners
34.3% of homes were owned outright in 2021, 34.9% with a mortgage and 28.0% rented.
Inland of the city
Morley is about 10 km north-east of the CBD. In Bureau of Meteorology averages, January gets hotter moving inland: 29.8 degrees at coastal Swanbourne against 31.8 at Perth Airport.
What to check in an older Morley house
The old gas heater. A heater that's been in the lounge for decades needs a licensed gasfitter's service at least every two years, according to Energy Safe Victoria and Seeley. Energy Safe Victoria also warns that any gas heater, old or new, can spill carbon monoxide. If you're thinking of replacing it, reverse cycle gives you cooling as well. Our gas or electric tool helps you think it through.
The roof space. Before anyone quotes ducted, the installer should get into the ceiling and check access, insulation and where the return air grille can go. WorkSafe Victoria warns of people falling through plaster ceilings, so that's their job, not yours.
The evaporative cooler. If the roof unit is old, a service will tell you whether pads and a pump will do or it's time for something new.
If you think a gas heater is leaking carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide has no smell. Energy Safe Victoria says if you suspect it, leave the house straight away and get into fresh air, turn off gas appliances and open windows and doors, then see a doctor or call 000 in an emergency. Don't use the heater again until a licensed gasfitter has checked it.
What we'd do
Our take for Morley
In a 1960s Morley house, we'd have the old heater and cooler looked at before deciding anything. If either is near the end, we'd lean toward reverse cycle: a split or two for the main rooms, or zoned ducted if the roof space suits it. And we'd use an installer who's worked on plenty of older houses and checks the roof first.
