AUTUMN STORM HITS FREMANTLE

I love storms, bad weather, lightning and thunder, so I could not resist having a drive around this afternoon and take photos. At Fremantle‘s Leighton Beach, walking against the wind, I thought my eyeballs would blow out so strong was the storm. The Swan River looked like an ocean with waves crashing ashore at Bicton, Applecross and Point Walter.

Roel Loopers

BREWING UP DEVELOPMENT AT NORTH FREMANTLE

A significant North Fremantle property is up for sale. The former Matilda Bay Brewery site on Stirling Highway is expected to be rezoned to residential which could see up to 800 apartments being built there. It has great ocean views and is 2.9 hectares large which makes it one of the biggest development sites in the western suburbs. With beach and river access within walking distance and the proximity to Fremantle central and the North Fremantle railway station, residential units would be very popular.

One part of the building is heritage listed so that could become a feature of any new development of the area. Of course one would hope that affordable housing would be incorporated into such massive development.

Roel Loopers

EAST FREO, NOT GREECE

It’s not Greece, only East Fremantle. I noticed these colourful boats on the banks of the Swan River this morning and thought they were worth taking a photo of.

Roel Loopers

Not Greece.

FREO’S WILD WATER

Pretty wild water under the Fremantle Traffic Bridge made the Swan River look like the Avon Descent.

The Avon Descent by the way is in a fortnight, so hopefully we’ll get some more rain between now and then.

Roel Loopers

Under the Fremantle traffic bridge.

 

FREO RED HERRING FOR SALE

Perth Now reports that the Red Herring restaurant on the Swan River is East Fremantle is for sale, as the business has not been doing very well lately.

The restaurant is in a prime location built over the water and has been a great venue for delicious food in a stunning setting, and for weddings, functions and parties.

According to Perth Now the selling agent has approached some of the big players in the culinary industry over East.

It seems a tantalising opportunity to get a 39 year lease over 2500sqm of riverbed location, so the right person will grab it with both hands. Maybe a new venture for Perth’s Albassio Lapegna?

Roel Loopers

SWAN RIVER PAINTINGS AT GALLERY EAST

Alan Muller, the recently announced winner of the 2012 City of Wanneroo Art Prize, is exhibiting at Gallery East on Stirling Highway in North Fremantle, just opposite the train station. His show Derbarl Yerrigan-The Swan River is worth a trip north of the river for for us Fremantle art lovers.

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.

LONG WEEKEND FAMILY FUN

Hey Fremantle people. Want to have a bit of fun over the long weekend?

The free POINT WALTER FAMILY CONCERT is on this Sunday from 5.30 to 9.30. Proud Mary will be playing and there will be fireworks and roving entertainers, fire twirlers, face painters, etc. More info at: www.melville.com.au

If you are the adventurous ones and dare to cross the mighty wild Swan River, the Hyde Park Community Fair is on all day in Perth on Sunday and Monday.

And don’t forget the great Zydecats evening session from 7 pm on Sunday at Clancys Fish Pub at Princess May Park. It’s a tradition!

Have fun!

Roel Loopers

PERTH FORESHORE PROTEST ATTRACTS MANY

The protest rally against the proposed Perth foreshore development, organised by the City Gatekeepers, attracted around 1500 people on the Esplanade this morning. Most speakers spoke in favour of development, but that the Barnett government plans are all wrong and need to be changed. The City Gatekeepers showed their own alternative proposals for the heritage area.

It was disappointing to see only a few Fremanle people, including Greens politician Lyn McLaren, attending the protest.

Roel Loopers

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RIVER STUFF

I noticed this stuff on the water surface in the harbour when a Rottnest ferry left this afternoon, and noticed it again behind another boat further up river a bit later. Is this just the natural cleansing of the river  after the recent rain, or has contamination taken place?