NOTRE DAME UNIVERSITY RESTORES HERITAGE FACADE

Wonderful to see the facade of the heritage Bateman building in Fremantle’s Croke Street restored by Notre Dame University. It is the law library of the university.

It was a big surprise for them that the old name was still under the many layers of paint that were added over the last 130 years or so.

Roel Loopers

MASSIVE HERITAGE RESTORATION OF HISTORIC C SHED

I was given the opportunity by Fremantle Ports this morning to have a look at the massive heritage restoration and preservation work of C Shed on Victoria Quay. Here some info Fremantle Ports sent me:

C Shed was completed in 1904-05. The jarrah-framed shed was used throughout the 20^th century to unload cargo from ships at C Berth but also witnessed the arrival and departure of thousands of passengers and migrants, before the passenger terminal opened in 1960. Even today, the heritage-listed Tourist and Information Bureau is opposite C Shed.

This year, Fremantle Ports has undertaken important works to bring C Shed back to its structural prime in readiness for a new future for the next 100 years. Those works, at a cost to Fremantle Ports of between $4.5m and $5m, will be completed by January 31 next year and include new steel sheet-piling under the shed, refurbishment of footings beneath storey posts that support the shed, screw-piling, new concrete and work on the roof structure. One of the last tasks will be replacement of the roof iron. There will also be a new west wall installed, consistent with the shed’s heritage status, that will incorporate a re-instated cargo door, window and personnel access.

Last week, principal contractor Advanteering and sub-contractors performed the delicate task of re-aligning the shed, which had developed a lean over decades of exposure to wind forces, that in one bay measured 240mm at roof-height. This straightening was achieved through a methodology of chains carefully pulling the shed straight, after which new bracing of jarrah and karri timber was added, where needed. Where possible, jarrah timber milled more than 100 years ago has been re-purposed to Fremantle Ports’ instructions.

A range of other works have also been done, such as underground drainage, removal of redundant electrical cabling, the demolition of a non-heritage brick amenities room inside the shed and repairs to timber cladding and cargo doors.

The port’s Manager Government and Public Relations Neil Stanbury said it was exciting to see works simultaneously occurring on Sheds C, B and E.

“The transit sheds are a jewel on Victoria Quay, making up one of the last remaining intact sets of turn-of-the-century port cargo sheds in the world.  We’re proud of them and, in the case of C Shed, we look forward to it soon having a new future on the harbour’s edge, in a manner that enriches Fremantle.”

Roel Loopers

WONDERFUL HERITAGE RESTORATION

Wonderful to see the building on the right at 10 High Street back to its old glory. Owner architect Michael Patroni received a grant from the Heritage Council to reinstate the tuck pointing, and it looks great.

Number 8, next to it, received a facelift with the removal of the yellow paint artwork a few years ago.

There are several other heritage restoration projects happening in Fremantle currently, and I will take photos of those once finished.

Roel Loopers