Port Kennedy, in short
On Becher Point
The suburb sits on Becher Point, about 55 km south of Perth. Its wetlands formed in dune swales parallel to the coast, and the Port Kennedy Scientific Park protects some of them.
Salt in the air
The GAA's corrosion guide rates the first 200 m back from surf beaches C5, 200 m to 1 km C4, and 1 to 10 km C3 where there's significant salt spray. On a coastal point like this, ask the installer which band your street is likely in.
A 1990s suburb
The area was named Becher in 1974 and renamed Port Kennedy on 1 June 1990. It was established in the 1990s, and the primary school opened in 1996.
All houses
Separate houses made up 93.7% of the 4,488 occupied homes in 2021 and townhouses or semis 6.1%. 51.9% were owned with a mortgage and 22.4% rented.
Living with salt on Becher Point
Daikin says all its outdoor coils carry its Blue Fin anti-corrosion treatment, but that maintenance and positioning are still essential. When you buy, ask what coastal protection the model has. When it's installed, ask for the most sheltered wall the pipe run allows. After that, a yearly service that checks the coil and casing is what keeps it going. Our coastal homes guide has more.
What we'd do
If we lived in Port Kennedy
We'd assume salt and plan for it: a coastal-protected outdoor unit on a sheltered wall, and a service every year. With an original 1990s system, we'd get it serviced and assessed before replacing it, and if it's time, we'd choose reverse cycle so winter heating comes with it.
