DANCING TUGS IN FREMANTLE PORT
It had been surprisingly cool after the hot weekend, with the strong sea breeze creating quite a chill when one walks around.
I took a few Fremantle Port photos around 1pm on Wednesday while I was almost being blown off the South Mole.
It was a rare sight to see the tugs ‘dancing’ bow to bow.
Roel Loopers
FREO CITY REPLIES TO YELLOW ART CRITICISM
The City of Fremantle has reacted to the ‘exclusive’ in the West Australian earlier this week about the removal issues with the yellow artwork along High Street, so I’ll publish that unedited below:
“The work program for the removal of the artwork and its timing were developed in consultation with the building owners. Works started on 2 January at the Round House end of High Street. Works to numbers 1, 2, 4a and 4 will be complete by 23 January. We will then move to number 6 and work our way up the north side of High Street and back down the other side. Work is currently programmed until mid-March.
A photographic/measured survey has been carried out on each building and the method being applied and area of the works was agreed with each owner prior to commencement. The remediation works not only address the areas that were covered by the yellow foil, but entire ‘panels’ of buildings, so that work does not appear as ‘patching’ but a more complete remediation to ensure an acceptable blended finish.
Step 1 is removal of the yellow foil. Foil is removed by abrasive action. This is similar to normal prep work which might be carried out prior to painting. The contractor is using a couple of different methods. For painted render, painted brickwork, timber frames and metal window bars, removal is through the use of a hand-held grinder fitted with a silicon carbide stripping disk. For more intricate areas such as tuck pointed brickwork and decorative scrolls, a hand-held scraper is used.
Step 2 is preparation. In addition to removing any small remaining pieces of foil (from step 1), the team are filling, carrying out minor repairs, scraping off loose paint, sanding and washing down the building. After that, if any additional cracks are uncovered as part of the wash-down they are also filled and sanded.
Step 3 is painting. Samples of the existing paintwork are taken and matched. A high quality paint is being used.
The approved budget for the removal of the artwork project is $211,000.
The majority of owners have been entirely happy with the process. Owners and tenants are being kept well informed. City officers are on-site daily to ensure works are progressing as agreed. As each building is completed, the City will meet with the owner to ensure they are satisfied with the work that has been done.
The contractor is doing an extremely good job and is very thorough. Officers will continue to actively engage with the contractor throughout the project and are very confident the project will provide a quality outcome. Officers also continue to liaise with representatives of the Heritage Council, who are happy with both the progress, the extent and the quality of the preparation and repainting works.
One property owner has initiated legal proceedings against the City, which the City will defend vigorously.
While the difficulties with removing the artwork – and the additional costs – are unfortunate, they should not overshadow the fact that the artwork was a great success which attracted thousands of people to the West End and contributed to their favourable impression of Fremantle.”
In fairness I need to add that former Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri claims that he did not give the City permission to use the building he owns at 7 High Street for the public artwork, so if Tagliaferri’s claim is correct the City trespassed and engaged in property vandalism, but the court will rule no doubt on that as well in due course.
Roel Loopers
HUB NIGHTS ON HENRY JAM AND ART SESSIONS
HUB NIGHTS ON HENRY at Fremantle’s Moore&Moore cafe sounds like a great idea, so I hope it will get a lot of support from the local community, artists and musicians.
A great new experience where local musicians and artists showcase their talents with the community.
Unstructured jam sessions for musicians to play and a space for experts from all forms of art to share their knowledge to eager listeners. 🎤🎼
Join them on the first Thursday of every month at Moore & Moore Cafe
🕺🏼💃🏼
Want to perform or get more details? Get more info by emailing: eventmanager@mooreandmoorecafe.com
FREMANTLE’S GROWING BIG BROTHER
Fremantle Council’s FPOL Committee will this evening decide if it will approve the tender by Astute Trust, trading as Zenien Pty Ltd for the installation of new CCTV cameras in the CBD, and authorise the CEO to discuss the scope of work with the preferred tenderer, to meet the financial limits of the Federal Government Safer Communities grants.
The tender is to:
- add 25 fixed high definition 360 degree CCTV cameras
- install 5 fixed Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras
- purchase two mobile CCTV trailers
- install fibre optic within the CBD
- future expansion to other locations outside the CBD.
The City of Fremantle received a Federal Government grant of $ 928,390 for this project.
OFFICER’S RECOMMENDATION
That the Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation committee acting under delegation 1.1:
1. Accepts the tender submitted for tender FCC529/18 by The Trustee for Astuta Trust t/as Zenien Pty Ltd, for the supply and install new CCTV infrastructure and upgrade existing.
2. Approves the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate with The Trustee for Astuta Trust t/as Zenien Pty Ltd on the basis of amendments to the scope of work to deliver the services for the amount of $928,390 (ex GST), as provided for by the Federal Government Safer Communities Grant and any contractual variations, in accordance with Regulation 20 of the Local Government (Functions and General) Regulations 1996.
Roel Loopers
MORE HEIGHT IS LESS BULK AT KINGS SQUARE
It is interesting to see how the top level addition to the former MYER building at Kings Square makes the building look less bulky.
Probuild are hard at work for Sirona Capital to finish the Kings Square Redevelopment Project by the end of this year.
The new City of Fremantle Civic Centre building should also start soon and be completed by mid next year.
Roel Loopers
FREMANTLE J SHED ART STUDIOS FOR LEASE
The City of Fremantle is seeking applications from groups, organisations or individuals for the use of Unit 1 and 4, J Shed.
Unit 1 and 4, J Shed are located within the Bathers Beach Art Precinct (BBAP) and is ideal as an individual or shared studio space.
BBAP is a dynamic, innovative and authentic art and culture area and applicants will need to showcase how their proposal will benefit the area.
Applications close Friday 1 February 2019.
On-site viewings
By appointment only on:
- Wednesday 23 January 3–4pm.
- Tuesday 29 January 10–11am.
RSVP to mandyh@fremantle.wa.gov.au.
More information
Contact Senior Project Officer Arts & Culture, Mandy Hawkhead on mandyh@fremantle.wa.gov.au.
NOTHING NEW ABOUT FREO’S YELLOW ART IS NOT EXCLUSIVE!
The integrity of the West Australian newspaper is on the line with yet again another claim of exclusivity when in fact the article reports absolutely nothing new.
It has been well known in Fremantle for months that former Mayor Peter Tagliaferri has taken a writ out against the City of Fremantle and wants $ 50,000 to repair and repaint the facade of his building on the corner of High and Cliff streets for the removal of the yellow foil of the Felice Varini artwork.
But that has not stopped the only daily newspaper in Perth from claiming today that the article is exclusive. Bull….!
In the meantime painters are working hard to remedy the damage and the first three buildings they have almost done look pretty good to a layman like me.
Roel Loopers
CLOUDY FREO MORNING AFTER HOT WEEKEND
Interesting clouds over Fremantle this morning and a chance of a shower tomorrow, according to BOM.
Roel Loopers
FREMANTLE’S ADVOCACY POLICY AIMS TO GET MORE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Fremantle Council will sign off on a new strategic Advocacy Policy at Wednesday’s FPOL Committee meeting.
The advocacy will be aimed at State and Federal Governments for projects, funding, services, infrastructure outside of the City’s capacity.
Advocacy is the process of influencing others to create change.
An Internal Reference Group will be established chaired by the CEO and with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and 2-3 Councillors.
The City has identified four priorities for its advocacy policy:
- Improving public transport
- Furthering Fremantle’s position as a tourism gateway
- Creating local jobs around a seven-day per week economy
- Connectivity, roads, rail/light rail, traffic bridge and bicycles
- Investment in Fremantle
The City of Fremantle 2015–25 Strategic Community Plan is the overarching document
that sets out the Council vision for achieving the key priorities and commitments on
issues that matter to our community.
The Freo 2029 Transformational Moves document was prepared to support the
Fremantle Activity Centre Structure Plan and illustrates how five key ‘moves’ will help to
rejuvenate and revitalise the city as it approaches its 200th birthday.
Both the strategic community plan and the Freo 2029 Transformational Moves document
are products of a major community visioning project conducted during 2013–14 that set
the blueprint for Fremantle’s future growth and direction.
Fremantle has been the Cinderella for government funding, investment and tourism promotion for far too long because it is deemed a safe Labor seat that does not warrant investing in by both major parties and that needs to change.
Our city needs and deserves major investment from the State and Federal Governments, more prominence in the Perth-centric tourism promotions and a new traffic bridge, as well as the development of Victoria Quay, and that’s just the start.
Roel Loopers
FANTASTIC FREMANTLE FACADES
I had a walk around the old town this morning and decided to take photos of some of the gorgeous facades of heritage buildings.
It is what makes Fremantle such a very special and beautiful place to live in and visit.
Roel Loopers
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