WONDERFUL FREO WINTER DAY

 

What a stunning clear and crisp winter morning it is in Fremantle today.

I took this photo of the SS Leeuwin in Fremantle Port just before 7 am and it was pretty cold, but a warm coffee upstairs at the Attic made it all better.

Off to take photos at the WINTERWORLD on the Esplanade later on and then German winter dinner at Gasthof Loopy. Sauerkraut, pork sausages and braised pork belly.

Mulled wine would be nice too. ; >)

Roel Loopers

FAKE FREMANTLE NEWS BITES

 

 

The City of Fremantle has done a Donald Trump on us and given us fake news. Well, it’s a typo only, but important because the next Ordinary Council meeting will deal with the Sunset Events J Shed tavern again, and I am sure some people will want to address our Elected Members.

The meeting is on WEDNESDAY JUNE 28 and not as published on the City’s News Bites page in the Fremantle Herald on Monday.

Roel Loopers

 

IT’S COOL TO VISIT FREO

 

 

Those only interested in spewing negativity about Fremantle should take notice of the comments from overseas and interstate travellers who visit us.

The British Telegraph newspapers published an article stating that Perth was one of the coolest travel destinations in the world and mentions eclectic Fremantle that has undergone a huge transformation.

Food and drinks at the Coast on Port Beach and the East Freo Sweetwater rooftop bar are mentioned, and so are the Segway tours, Fremantle Markets, Maritime Museum and Arts Centre, and The Telegraph suggest to enjoy a swim at Bathers Beach.

And of course the Little Creatures brewery also got a mention.

I count my blessings daily that I live in Fremantle. We are so lucky to live here!

Roel Loopers

CONTROVERSIAL FREO TRAFFIC CALMING

 

The new speed humps along Ord Street in Fremantle are already receiving criticism on social media with people claiming they have created traffic jams during peak hours.

Speed humps were installed between Queen Victoria Street and High Street to deter trucks going to Fremantle Port from using the suburban road and use Stock Road instead. Time will tell if the humps have any effect on it at all.

Four new speed humps were also installed in Wray Avenue, so there are now six in total in that short stretch, and more speed humps are planned along South Terrace between South Street and Douro Road to create traffic calming local residents and businesses have asked for, to make it safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

I am not a big fan of speed humps but can see the need for them in some streets. We need to deal with the reality that most people want to drive their car and no matter how hard governments try to change our attitude, riding bicycles and using public transport will remain only a second option for the majority of people.

Those who claim on social media that this is just another example of Fremantle Council wanting to ban cars should inform themselves better as this has been a lengthy process and not just a mad loony thought bubble.

It is insulting to the diligent City of Fremantle officers to claim no thought has been put into this. The fact is that this all need to be approved by Mainroads and they don’t like change or slowing down traffic much.

The South Fremantle traffic calming comes on demand from local people and has been through a long community consultation process for over a year. I have personally attended three South Fremantle Precinct meetings with City officers.

Roel Loopers

LIV AND LET LIVE

 

The LIV apartment development by Defence Housing in Fremantle’s east end is fast taking shape as these photos taking from Quarry Street show.

The building is opposite the recently opened Heirloom apartments so it will substantially add to the activation and beautification of the area.

Roel Loopers

CIRCUS WA BIG TOP BLOW UP

 

Bad luck for Fremantle Circus WA in their new home at Princess May Park. The big top tent blew up in the first storm of the winter season on Wednesday night and now they are doing urgent repairs on it.

Roel Loopers

LITTLE LANE INNER CITY LIVING

 

The Little Lane residential development on the former Spotlight site at the Westgate Mall will have a display suite opening soon at 52 Adelaide Street. See http://www.littlelane.com.au

The seven-storey development will be real inner city living as it is just a minute away from Kings Square.

It will offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments and ground-level retail. The rooftop will be full of solar panels which means residents will get 10% off their electricity bills.

While I am disappointed with the uninspiring architecture of the seven-storey building I like the little lane idea for the drab Westgate Mall a lot.

Retail incubator MANY 2.0 is occupying the Spotlight building until development start and a new cafe there has just opened, so go an support all those small local businesses. They are open Thursday-Sunday.

Roel Loopers

LOCAL COUNCIL VOTE IMPORTANT!

 

While the Fremantle local government election in October is still months away I urge everyone to make sure they are registered on the Electoral Roll. This is especially important for young people who have just turned 18 as YOUR vote is so very important.

Councils make decisions for YOUR future and you have the power to vote for the people who YOU believe will best represent you and youth issues in general.

While we have a vast-ageing population the future is with younger generations, so governments need to make decisions that are progressive and look at the long-term implications.

I was told a few years ago by university students that they are not interested in local government and that is a real shame because local government is the closest we can get to grassroots representation.

In Fremantle we have easy access to our Councillors and Mayor, so we can influence their decisions. But it means we need to participate and we need to understand how local government works.

Council and council committee meetings are not boring. They give a real insight into how the democratic process works and how complex it can be.

Councils need to do far more than putting the motions in place for street cleaning and maintenance, they are responsible for long-term strategies and policies.

We are witnessing how long-term Council planning is slowly making a very significant impact in Fremantle, with unprecedented investment through massive development in Fremantle, and a whole lot more is in the pipeline.  That was very deliberate action by a Council which realised it needed to be pro-active on trying to turn the economic downturn around and revitalise and activate the city.

But we need to have plans that will make sure that we have affordable student accommodation and for young people to live in the inner city and only when young people care to vote will they be represented by Councillors.

Fremantle does have a Youth Council, but it works in the dark and I have no idea what they are doing and how they influence the elected members. I also don’t know if many young Freo residents know about the Youth Council and how to contact them, and I don’t understand why that council is not more in the public domain.

VOTE! Get yourselves enrolled and take part in the very important democratic privilege!

Roel Loopers

ART OUT OF AFRICA

 

PS ART SPACE in Fremantle’s Pakenham Street is in my opinion the best art space in Fremantle, and probably all of Perth. The huge cavernous heritage warehouse is such a gorgeous space to exhibit art in, as is shown again at the Antipodes Urban Axis exhibition.

Contemporary art from the African continent by 47 artists from countries such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia, Congo and South Africa make a beautiful installation in the stunning space.

The exhibition runs until July 22, so make sure to go and visit and while there try the great coffee and food at the Studio 37 cafe.

Roel Loopers

AUSTRALIA HOTEL IN FULL GLORY

 

Nice to see the Fremantle Hotel Australia backpackers all painted again after it took years of dispute with the heritage department on what the right process was for the street level facade.

It’s looking good and is a much nicer sight now for cruiseship passengers when they arrive in Fremantle Port.

Roel Loopers