THE FREMANTLE CHALLENGES OF COVID-19

 

Business in Freo-Through the lockdown and beyond was the theme of the monthly Fremantle Network meeting at The Local in South Fremantle last evening. The network had been unable to meet for several months due to Covid-19, so good to see around 50 people turning up for it and Steve Grant of the Fremantle Herald for the first time being the moderator.

Piers Verstegen of the Conservation Council said we are lucky to live in one of the most isolated parts of the world and that the WA government’s approach to Covid recovery was different from that of the federal government. It is important to have community-lead projects where we get involved and have input. We need to have a rethink where jobs come from, because that is not the resources industry, with huge opportunities for the renewable, conservation, cultural and care industries.

The pandemic had changed the role of governments and there needs to be a way we can control the economy, and as voting patterns show people are feeling really dis-empowered. “How do we collectively shape where the economy goes? There needs to be a change of attitude.”

It was especially important to consider the impact Covid had on the employment of women, because they worked in a higher percentage in severely affected industries such as hospitality and tourism.

Dave Furness, who owns the Carriage cafe on the Esplanade with his partner Rochelle, and who is also the managing director of  resources engineering company WENCO in O’Connor, said the outlook for 2020 had been great until Covid-19 turned the world upside down. It had been a priority for him to extensively communicate with the 80+ staff, consider cash flow, prepare for the future and consider that there could be another spike in WA in the future, if we are forced to re-open the state’s borders. “At the moment it is a great place and things are in control, but we are still vulnerable, Furness said. “WA is keeping the Australian economy going!”

Councillor Frank Mofflin, who is leading Fremantle Council’s Covid Recovery Group, said he was very optimistic where Fremantle currently is and where we will be in 12-18 months from now. Freo is so well positioned after Covid, but when will that be? The challenges we face now and post Covid are not unique to Fremantle, and many businesses had adapted very well with more on-line trade, take away food, home deliveries of goods, etc.

Great management by the state government and a truckload of luck has put WA in a good position and that is helping us build confidence in our community. We need to market Fremantle as the place that dealt with the virus challenges in the best possible way!

Mofflin said that over 80 per cent of investment in Fremantle has come from the private sector, and that showed they had confidence in Fremantle’s future.

Councillor Rachel Pemberton stood in for Michelle Mackenzie of Shelter Australia, whose mother had died recently, and said that it had been an amazing effort by the WA government and all governments really to cope with the impact of Covid-19. The lockdown was also an inspiring time, where we had time to slow down and think about what is important and about our families. The pandemic is still a risk and it had been disappointing to hear that vulnerable people had been refuses residential leases, because the federal government had ruled that no one could be evicted before November. Many landlords were not happy with that restriction, so preferred not to sign new leases. That meant we noticed many more people living on the street in Fremantle.

The beginning of Freo’s transition and renewal had been delayed because of the pandemic and there was a need for more crisis support and social housing, with a start made with the state’s Common Ground project in Perth. People who never needed any help were suddenly forced to seek support.

The government’s Jobseeker money had made a huge difference and given many people self respect and pride, because they were able to go shopping for new clothes and other necessities they previously could not afford. Pemberton said we can grow the economy without killing the planet. “We need to put people first in our economy?”

There was unfortunately not much time left for the Q&A, but it was sobering to hear Piers Verstegen tell that there are 5,000 people on the waiting list for social housing in WA, but that we are going backwards, rather than making inroads here.

The Fremantle Network are really good community forums and I wonder if it would be possible to live stream them, so that people who don’t feel comfortable going out at night could watch it from the safety of their home.

Roel Loopers

BARBER KENNEDY RE-OPENS AT TOWNHALL

 

 

I am delighted to report that Peter Kennedy’s Barber Shop has re-opened today in its new location in the Manning building in William Street. It is opposite the Townhall between Haru sushi and Parlapa cafe, so go and support Pete and his team.

Kennedy’s has been trading for 25 years, but was booted out of his shop between Alma Street and Wray Avenue, through no fault of his own, so he really deserves Freo’s support in the enforced new location.

It was great to see the shop already full before 9am this morning and I am sure all the regulars will make the trip there as well.

Good luck, Pete. You deserve it!

Roel Loopers

FEEL GOOD SUNDAY IN FREMANTLE

 

 

It is impossible to adhere to the 1.5 metre social distancing rule along the Fremantle Cappuccino Strip today as there are so many people on the footpaths.

Great for our traders, but it makes me a bit uncomfortable to have to be in so close contact with so many strangers.

I was a bit early for lunch trade in the Fishing Boat Harbour, but could not resist taking the above photo. It is such a gorgeous, clear and sunny day!

 

Roel Loopers

WOW! SO MANY KIDS IN FREO FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN

 

 

Amazing! The City of Fremantle LEGO Adventure Trail for school holidays is a huge success. This morning I witnessed hundreds of little kids and parents walking down High Street and others were lining up at the Visitor Centre to get started.

It must be one of the most popular school holidays projects Fremantle has done. Great job to see so many people coming into town and visiting shops to get the stamps!

Roel Loopers

GIVE FREO TRADERS SOME TLC!

 

 

Wake up Freo and get out and about while the weather is fine. There is thunder and rain forecast for late afternoon and the evening, so make the best of it!

The Freo Farmers Market is on from 8am till noon, the cafes are open and need our support, so have a nice breakfast somewhere, and then stroll around our beautiful city and support our retailers, restaurants and pubs, who need a bit of TLC.

Roel Loopers

 

FREMANTLE LEGO ADVENTURE FOR SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

 

The City of Fremantle has partnered with Water Corporation to invite families on a free LEGO adventure through the streets of Fremantle these school holidays.

From Monday 6 July until Sunday 19 July, kids will be able to collect an Adventure Trail map from the Fremantle Visitor Centre in Kings Square.

The map will guide them to participating stores in Fremantle’s historic West End, where they’ll be able to collect the pieces for their very own LEGO toy.

The little explorers can use the Adventure Trail map to find their way through the streets of Freo and spot the LEGO-themed shop windows to collect the pieces.

There are six different toys available for the kids to build, but stocks are limited so they should get in quick.

As they visit each store they can also collect special stamps on their map. Collect all five stamps and they can enter the draw to win one of three LEGO vouchers from Toyworld Fremantle.

In another special LEGO treat, kids will have the chance to build their own LEGO masterpiece and watch a live build with Fremantle’s very own LEGO Masters Alex Towler and Jackson Harvey.

The 2020 Australian LEGO Masters Champions will be at Fremantle’s Kings Square on Thursday 16 July from 10am – 2pm.

For other school holiday ideas, special deals and offers and information on things to do in Fremantle go to visitfremantle.com.au.

 

Roel Loopers

FREO BUSINESS CARE PACKS NOT A PIPE DREAM

Pipes for Fremantle is offering care packs for businesses:

The care pack contains information on the ways we’re supporting you, including:  

• Loss of business support 
• Signage opportunities 
• Fremantle Water Perks loyalty card competition
• Parking support 
• Social media promotion

Visit our website to see everything included in the care pack. 

We’re also supporting the City of Fremantle and High Street in two additional business support initiatives:

• To encourage customers to visit Fremantle, check out the Hi Vis on High Street social media campaign put together by local High Street businesses – it is free, easy and ready for you to use.
• Make sure you let your customers know about City of Fremantle’s School Holiday Lego Adventure Trail and encourage them to visit Fremantle throughout the school holidays. If you want to know more about the trail, including how to share info online, email business@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

 

Roel Loopers

HIGH STREET ROADWORKS UPDATE

 

Here the latest update about the Pipes for Fremantle replacement of water pipes project in the West End by the Water Corporation.

Good news is that the stretch from Market Street to Henry Street will get a temporary resurface, due to the wet weather, so that will allow traffic down that way again.

Construction work is finished along High Street between Henry Street and Market Street. Due to continued wet weather conditions, a temporary road reinstatement is now planned for completion by midday Sunday 5 July to ensure this section of road is reopened as soon as possible. A full reinstatement of this section of road will be undertaken at another time, still yet to be determined – we will continue to keep you updated.

The full length of High Street is still on schedule for construction to be completed the week of 27 July. This work will result in traffic and customer impacts, including night work on Cliff Street from 7pm to 5am on Monday 6 July.

To view a full list of traffic and customer impacts between 2 July and 10 July, please visit the project website.

 

Roel Loopers

ROADWORKS IN FREMANTLE’S WEST END

 

I received some updates from the Pipes for Fremantle project by the Water Corporation, which is happening all over the Fremantle CBD.

At the moment they are replacing the pipes between Market Street and Henry Street along High Street. From there they will be doing Henry Street to Little High Street and the details will be announced before July 17.

Work in Essex Street will be done between late July and late August.

In Leake and Cantonment streets they will be working from mid August to late September.

They will then be in Nairn Street from early to late September, and in Norfolk Street from early October till early November.

There are some traffic delays and road closures in Market Street, High Street and Pakenham Street currently, so best to avoid the area and drive through Cliff Street.

Roel Loopers

LET’S HAVE A FREO CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

 

I bumped into Ruth and Nigel Goodman of Bitches Brew framers, printers and artspace in High Street, and Ruth came up with this great idea to get activity going and bring shoppers back into Fremantle.

She suggested we should do a Christmas in July, with street stalls selling hot chocolate, mulled wine, window displays, Father Christmas, etc. and I believe that should be supported by the City of Fremantle and Chamber of Commerce, who could coordinate and promote the event, maybe on a weekend, starting Friday night?

Let’s get out there and support our local traders, now that we are getting a semblance of normality back!

Roel Loopers