MAKE HERITAGE A SPORT TO GET FUNDING!

 

The fenced off carpark below the Roundhouse now looks like this. Disgraceful!

 

I think I have found the solution to get money for the stabilisation of Fremantle’s Arthur’s Head, building work on the Roundhouse, and other improvements for one of Western Australia’s most significant historic precincts. All we need to do is call heritage a sport and funding will be thrown at Fremantle from all levels of government, as yesterday’s announcement that the Federal Government will be spending $ 30 million on upgrading the WACA cricket ground in East Perth shows.

Yes indeed, if a European soccer team wants to have a friendly game in Perth the State Government will throw millions of dollars at them, because it is soooo good for tourism.

If QLD and NSW want to play a state of origin rugby match at Optus Stadium millions of dollars are offered by Tourism WA to accommodate the wealthy sport organisation, but there is a totally different tune when it comes to protecting and enhancing our heritage tourist attractions. They are allowed to rot because the McGowan government does not appreciate how important the Roundhouse and Arthur’s Head, and indeed Fremantle, are for tourism and WA!

So from today on heritage is a sport and Fremantle demands its fair share of the millions of dollars Tourism WA spends on promoting the rest of our state. The Perth-centric marketing rubbish needs to stop!

The WA Treasurer will announce a many billion dollar surplus soon, so there is plenty of money available to do the essential work at Freo’s Arthur’s Head that only needs a few million dollars for its protection.

And some friendly advise to the WA Labor party. You might believe you can ignore Fremantle because it is a safe seat, but demographics in the port city are changing, so keep giving us the cold shoulder and people will show at the ballot box what they think of that. I certainly will!

Roel Loopers