MOVING PLANTER BOXES A FUTILE EXERCISE
I have been shaking my head in pure bewilderment since I noticed that some of the planter boxes have been returned to the Fremantle Cappuccino Strip. When I asked on this blog some months ago why they had not been put back there after the festival season was over, Mayor Brad Pettitt replied that an artist would be painting the boxes while they were at the carpark near the Shipwreck Museum and that it would make little sense moving them back and forth. I agree!
But the planters returned to the Strip have not been painted, and if the Freo Dockers should get into the grand final we will no doubt have another great live telecast spectacle on the Cappuccino Strip in two weeks, and that would mean moving the boxes again to make way for the mega screens and thousands of spectators..
It’s no wonder Fremantle residents often criticise the administration for not doing the basic stuff, because this seems a futile exercise, or do the officers responsible for the planters’ journey hope the Dockers won’t make the big day?
Roel Loopers
FREOVIEW - Fremantle's only daily 
What I meant is that you rarely say positive things about Fremantle, Mark. I believe this City is much better than what some people give it credit for, so a bit of balance is always good. No doubt COF gets it wrong, as other councils do, and they are not perfect, but there are a lot of people on Council and in the administration who work very hard and do good things. The drive for economic development, etc. is a good one that probably can do with some fine-tuning.
I’ll be the first one to criticise COF when I see bad management, etc. but one needs to also give credit where it’s due, for example I have been looking at a few new laygrounds that look amazing and the Valley Park, just down the road from you and me, is a good example of what the City does.
Roel
Roel
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1/2 empty, 1/2 full its just reteric, I just see 50% in that sort of argument?
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So what was the cost? What kind of magic printing is this that it couldn’t be done here? Some actual figures would be appreciated.
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I’ll ask the artist about the special printing, once it is revealed who (s)he is, Brad.
Roel
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It’s not a huge cost. This kind of printing could only be done there apparently. I was surprised too.
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Knowing a little bit about the art and printing industry, I would be very surprised to hear the service required to get the planter boxes art work done is not available in WA.
Roel
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The planter boxes have survived pretty well without any graffiti so far, Mark. The glass is not alwayshalf empty, be a bit more positive now and then.
Roel
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What is the cost of the printing and shipping? Why couldn’t it be done locally?
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How long before they get grafitti once in place?
Well in freo I suppose that is art???, I hope we are not importing grafitti now???
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If they where an iconic freo artist wouldn’t they be in freo?
It will be interesting to see this story roll out and the price or bill?
What was our rate increase in freo, oh yes in the top 5 in the state?
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Roel u cant stay in hotels and use expense accounts when u sit in your own office and chat online?
Anyone who says they are working for the environment and does it by using a jet engine aircraft is a conman/woman?
In today’s age with webcams, the net, wifi, technology etc, there is no reason for travel even our senate could run by cam if they wanted, all the so called environmental warriors who constantly fly coast to coast, its just for their own benefit, hypocrites, to a man?
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Maybe another business that left for greener pastures?
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Yes I will want to know why Italy, what kind of printing was involved, the cost for it, etc. Bob
Roel
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Many sustainability experts fly to conferences instead of doing video hook-ups, Lionel. I am always wondering why the environment matters so little when they fly all over the country and world to enhance their reputation.
Roel
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The Mayor just replied saying it is work by an iconic Fremantle artists, so not sure what Italy has got to do with it.
Roel
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Looking forward to seeing the art when it gets here, Brad.
Roel
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Sorry did I miss something art work from Italy?
So in Australia we are not capable of making this art work (I have no idea what it us)?
Seriously I find the whole pot plant thing ridiculous, just a death trap waiting to happen a perfect crush zone?
Now we have to import art for them from Italy, if that’s so then don’t f+×÷€^g need it?
This is a complete failure of policy, if the city of Fremantle is getting art work from Italy?
Forget carbon , miles for shipping, time etc?
WHY is my rate money funding projects that r made in Europe, seriously, u must be joking?
Has someone resurrected the one or all of the old masters, to construct this?
This a perfect project for community groups, schools, etc and certainly shouldn’t have jumped over our local art community?
Did our local artists turn down the project, or is that our COF deem then not up too the job?
It becoming clearer why local business struggles?
Even if the funding is private Freo business should come FIRST, or does COF think differently?
Sensible, really?
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ummmm…tell me I did not read that right…..printed in Italy? The “City of Artists” gets the artwork printed in Italy? The COF has a policy of rejuvenating business and sends it’s artwork to be printed in Italy? ..Good to see COF supporting the sustainability of business in Italy…I suppose Ferraris might be painted in Freo though. I just hope the printers are carbon neutral though.
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I love how the city claims to be so environmentally friendly and at the same time they are getting artwork printed in Italy and shipped to Australia. Mind blowing.
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Roel
There hasn’t been a plan for screens on the strip this year so far so will be more than two weeks I expect.
As for art – it’ll be a surprise by an iconic Freo artist. Stay tuned. Cheers.
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Not sensible to move them there for just two weeks, Brad,if the Dockers get to the finals.
I thought the plan was to get school children paint the boxes, so what’s happening in Italy?
Roel
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Roel, It really does make you wonder. Don’t know whether to laugh or cry! Hopefully whoever delivers the big screen will take them away and then bring them back when they collect the big screens. No, that is much too obvious!
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Roel
The printing of art work (in Italy!) has unfortunately been delayed a couple of months so in the interests of public safety in our newish 30kmh zone we agreed to put but in a few planters until we can get the artwork delivered. Not ideal but sensible.
cheers, Brad
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