NO SUPER TRAWLER!

Great work by Fremantle MP Melissa Parke resulted today in Environment Minister Tony Burke announcing in Canberra that the Dutch supertrawler Magiris, recently renamend to Abel Tasman, will not be allowed to hunt for fish in Australian waters for at least two years, until a scientific study has been conducted on the impact of the huge fishing vessel.

There were protests all over Australia against the supertrawler, two recently in Fremantle and one in Perth. People power and community outrage demanded that our politicians would not allow the trawler to operate in Australia, and they listened.

Roel Loopers

PROTEST AGAINST PERTH WATERFRON PROJECT

The Perth Gatekeepers remain busy protesting against the Perth Waterfront Project, one of Western Australia’s Premier Colin Barnett‘s monuments for his own grandeur, so here a message from architect Linley Lutton about the next action this Saturday:

Dear Supporters,
 
We are starting our campaign to re-empower the community by demanding a better waterfront plan.
 
Our first public gathering will be held this coming Saturday morning.
 
The aim is to let this government know that our community does not support their plan and they continue at their peril
 
We will all meet in the Supreme Court Gardens near Riverside Drive at 10.00 a.m. We only have a short walk to the target site where we will be for 1 – 2 hours. We will be sitting on grass. I will advise the media the day before.
 
There will be no speeches. We will walk in silence, not obstructing the traffic and if the police ask us to move on we will do so. We will not be breaking the law so this can be a family gathering. We will be making our point simply by our presence in large numbers.
 
You are welcome to bring your own banners and placards. We will have some large banners announcing our major community rally at Parliament House in June and inviting people to join our fight. Please make sure you wear your red T shirt, jumper or jacket.
 
If it is raining heavily, then assume the gathering is cancelled.
 
We also have a further gathering planned for the week after but in a different and very strategic location in the city.
 
I am convinced we can get this government to stop and rethink this awful plan but we need numbers to show that the majority do not support their actions. Our numbers will grow from the publicity we gain from these gatherings.

RALLY AGAINST PERTH FORESHORE DEVELOPMENT!

Now that the fight for sane and sensible development in Fremantle has been lost, we can try to get sanity back in the Perth foreshore development, by demanding the Barnett government changes the plans for that part of the city.

Join the rally against the foreshore development tomorrow, Sunday February 26 at 11 am on the Perth Esplanade!

Roel Loopers

PEOPLE’S RALLY AGAINST CRAP DEVELOPMENT!!

Join the People’s Rally against the Perth foreshore development this Sunday February 26 at 11 am on the Perth Esplanade Reserve. organised by the CITY GATEKEEPERS, a group of prominent Perth architects and city planners.

We in Fremantle know all about crap planning, which is what our council is doing at present by trying to force Planning Scheme 49 down our throats, although the majority of Fremantle residents are against it. So much for democracy!

The People’s Rally is not only against the Perth foreshore plans, but against all the unacceptable development plans by our State and Local Governments. Too much of it is proposed and too much of it will destroy the character of our suburbs and cities. It needs to be stopped!!

Please join me and members of the Fremantle Society at the rally!!

Roel Loopers

ROUND HOUSE BEAUTIFICATION

Work started this morning on resurfacing Captain’s Lane, the path that leads to the Round House and is being used by hundreds of tourists daily. I believe it is a sign the City of Fremantle listens and acts when residents contact them about issues they  have.

We up here in the West End and also the Fremantle Society had asked for necessary upgrades, even more so when one of the committee members broke a leg due to the unevenness of the pathway. The existing surface is being removed and Limecrete poured during the next days, which will create better access to weddings near the Round House for wheelchairs and women wearing high heels.

I’d rather report on positive things like this than pointing out what is amiss around town, so well done Freo!

Roel Loopers

PORTS PEOPLE POWER

Forget Egypt and the overthrow of Mubarak. People power is strong here in Fremantle as well. 3>)

When my friend Mark Randell told me some weeks ago there was no on/off ramp for his gopher and wheelchairs near the new Tasty @ B Shed cafe on Victoria Quay, I thought to let the people at Fremantle Ports know that there was a problem, and contacted External Affairs manager Ainsie de Vos. She promised to pass it on to the relevant department.

What a lovely surprise then to see yesterday that the port has now put a small ramp next to the cafe. I reckon that is good corporate citisenship, and it also shows we can change the world, if only little by little. From small ramps big ramps grow.

Roel Loopers

SAVE OUR KIMBERLEY HERITAGE!

Just a reminder about the SAVE THE KIMBERLEY RALLY on SUNDAY from 11-12 at the Cottesloe Civic Centre.