SOS Save Our Shore Fremantle

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Stuff has started! - Fremantle Shipping News Freo Today. 24 March 2024. Stuff has started at the Old Traffic Bridge in preparation for the removal of services and eventual replacement of the Old Traffic Bridge with a new one. See our latest story Vegetation clearance and road closures about to happen on Old Traffic Bridge project. Vegetation c...

CLEARING STARTS THIS MONDAY ALONG BEACH ST AND NORTH FREO BANKS.

A lot to digest here. But key is that clearing will start this Monday, and Beaxh St will be closed from the beginning of April. More info in comments.

Is anyone able to assist us with monitoring the removal of trees?

elink.clickdimensions.com The Fremantle Traffic Bridge houses telecommunications, gas, and water services which need to be removed from the deteriorating bridge. Development Approval was granted in October 2022 to conduct these works.

Preparatory works will commence next week until end March in the form of river bed geotechnical investigations and installation of a groundwater bore on the southeastern grassed section. More info can be found here.

www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE TODAY
SOS friend, ex EPA and North Freo resident Charlie Nicholson has sent his submission to us. For your consideration as you prepare your own thoughts.
Link to submission in comments.

cdn.fbsbx.com

Ian is on the money.

Comment on the Development Application for the replacement for the Fremantle Traffic Bridge closes 1st February.
In my view, this proposal ticks a lot of the community boxes, with the significant exception of retention of any part of the existing traffic bridge. However, the history/heritage of the site is more than just that one artefact and I have suggested a way of recording and acknowledging that.
My comments on the DA (submitted today) are below.

The current proposal takes advantage of innovative bridge construction techniques to come very close to what the community has consistently said it wanted - like-for-like replacement of the existing traffic bridge. The main omission in this respect is any retention of any part of the existing traffic bridge.
The latest design, unlike previous ones, does contain distinctive elements (esp above the deck) which the community had sought as a distinctive 'entry statement' for Fremantle.
I have a few outstanding concerns.
First, whilst the innovative construction method substantially reduces the period of time for which there will be no active river crossing for motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians at this point, there is no clear indication of how the river crossing demands will be accommodated while the bridge is closed. Project consultations have been told that the remaining road system (esp Stirling Bridge) would be unable to cope with such closure.
Would it be possible, for example, to construct the cycle/pedestrian paths on one or both sides at the same time as the main lateral support structures so that these could be operational at the time the existing traffic bridge is closed and demolished?
Second, in the absence of any retention of the existing traffic bridge, the heritage/history of river crossings at this point will largely disappear. There is, however, a model (made in 1933) of the previous Bridge of Sticks, currently in the WA Maritime Museum. I suggest that a similar model be commissioned (or perhaps a competition held) for the existing traffic bridge and other previous crossings (to the same scale) to provide, in conjunction with historical display material previously produced as part of the project consultations, an historical record of the significance of the site.
Third, the artist's impressions do not clearly show river level access across Queen Victoria Street under the proposed bridge (and, ultimately, the rail bridge) on the northern side. This is important both for the longer-term, when this would be an important link between parts of North Fremantle and the redevelopment of North Quay when the container trades move to Kwinana, and to provide continuity of access across Queen Victoria Street during construction of the new bridge and its approaches.

Major update on Swan River Crossings Project.

- An enhanced design for a new bridge to replace the ageing Fremantle Traffic Bridge has today been submitted for Development Approval.

- Enhanced design was developed in response to community feedback

- Bridge will be Australia's only extradosed bridge combining both cantilevers and cable support

- Changes to road layout no longer being proposed as part of design

- Containbow art installation will now remain in its existing location

https://dpcmedia.blob.core.windows.net/publishedmediastatements/2777540_FBA_Render_4.jpg?fbclid=IwAR1cT5k8LqHLRu6xLRcuKPM3PQkKMar2OD9NUlknTUI8ToJ85B4Iq1Gspvc_aem_AWGa-xDvl5UM4GEWztpEh0DSXrtNZ-gCnxUL6OI-0O3mJgkr1P3CTvO85F1W243KqBc

The Swan River Crossings project lives on with respect to federal funding. A withdrawal of funding would have been a better sign…

Tomorrow: Drop-in community event to shape the future of the Fremantle Port | Inner Harbour precinct 10am-3pm @ Freo Town Hall. Suitable for all.

Take your thoughts and ideas for the potential redevelopment of the Fremantle port precinct.

Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

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Let’s just hope Canning Highway stays where it is and our green space is preserved, if this project raises its ugly head again.
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https://www.facebook.com/100086162466967/posts/236655852549829/

Hot on the heels of my recent 'no-progress' post, and no doubt inspired by Brad Pettit's speech in Parliament (hence the $57 million headline), the Post Newspaper has this wonderful piece in today's issue (https://postnewspapers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/08072023-lowres.pdf).
Almost exactly the same words as in the November 2022 email I have mentioned several times, but the real kicker is the statement from Project Director Ashley Vincent that: "the technical constraints of the bridge site and 'divergent feedback' from stakeholders and the community to the concept designs released in August had sent designers back to the drawing board."
In other words, Main Roads had got way ahead of themselves, failed to recognise the technical constraints that were blindingly obvious to so many in the community, and had utterly failed to bring the community along with them in the planning and design process. AND they've spent $57 million in the process, which means the budget will blow out well over the current $280 million and mean design will be pared back to a bare-minimum structure to keep costs down.
Main Roads is quoted as saying: “When all technical issues have been considered the team will prepare information for a community engagement program that allows the community to view detailed information on the project.”
WTF - Main Roads will 'graciously' allow the great unwashed of Fremantle to 'view' detailed information on the project! No consultation or involvement - just 'have a look at our latest thought bubble'.
Sounds like another exercise in tokenism that will arouse even more anger.
BUT "a commencement date for that engagement was yet to be determined", they said. We'll be keeping a close eye on things to ensure (as far as we can) that the next instalment of this seemingly-endless saga doesn't land with too much of an outrageous thud.

While we’re waiting for the next announcement…

Here’s some light reading to fill you in on the last 5 months of inaction. Thanks to Ian, Brad and everyone who contributed to make this happen.

No news is good news right?

Let’s hope so…

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Hoping the City of Fremantle will follow suit and apply this to the mature trees on our Beach Street foreshore as well…
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Perth councils vote to require development application for tall tree removal - ABC News Perth councils vote to require development application for tall tree removalABC Radio Perth / By Kate LeaverPosted 20h ago20 hours agoThu 30 Mar 2023 at 3:58amWatchDuration: 24 seconds24s 90-year-old jacaranda added to Perth council's 'Trees of Significance Inventory'In what has been described as a....

Edward Bouverie - thanks for your Thinking Allowed article.

We agree that the best solution for Fremantle is still lacking and we won’t give up until we get a sensible solution.

Like and follow:
SOS Save Our Shore Fremantle
Bridge Integrity Group

Edward Bouverie - thanks for your Thinking Allowed article.

We agree that the best solution for Fremantle is still lacking and we won’t give up until we get a sensible solution.

Like and follow:
SOS Save Our Shore Fremantle Bridge Integrity Group

Edward Bouverie - thanks for your Thinking Allowed article.

We agree that the best solution for Fremantle is still lacking and we won’t give up until we get a sensible solution.

Like and follow:
SOS Save Our Shore Fremantle Bridge Integrity Group

Tonight! The Freo council deliberates on how much it will support the motions from the City of Fremantle - Special Electors Meeting of last month.

Meeting starts at 6pm in the new civic centre. Please show your support and turn up!

Thank you Ian & Bridge Integrity Group

Fremantle locals for change to new traffic bridge design Construction is due to start in 2023, but locals want the design changed.

Great news! Last night we witnessed East Fremantle Council pass all the motions made at the recent Special Electors Meeting held in the chambers that saw residents turned away as so many of you turned up to have your voices heard.

We look forward to a similar outcome at tonight's Fremantle Council meeting.

https://www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au/council-meetings/meeting/council-meeting/413

A tale of two local governments!

Compare the responses from the staff from the City of Fremantle (first image) and the Town of East Fremantle (second) in response to their respective Special Electors Meetings.

Anyone else find this a little odd?

Bridge Integrity Group
Posted by Ian Ker
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Really?
On 31st August, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti was asked, in Parliament, whether the plan to take Canning Highway down to the Swan River foreshore and under the new bridge was consistent with the outcomes from earlier community engagement sessions.
Her answer, delivered through Sue Ellery, MLC, was "Yes".
I'm curious to know whether anyone else feels that this is untrue - certainly all those who signed the petitions fro or attended the Fremantle and East Fremantle Special Electors Meetings in November were in no doubt that this road plan was NOT in accordance with community expectations based on previous consultation - which the community had had to battle hard to get in the first place.
It is a serious matter to mislead Parliament, so I wonder where Rita Saffioti got her information from - assuming, that is, that she didn't deliberately choose to mislead.

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Great pro-active and community-supportive response from Town of East Fremantle.
Full agenda item, including Minutes of the Special Electors Meeting athttps://www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au/Profiles/eastfremantle/assets/moduledata/councilmeetings/464e7889-6bf8-4664-8060-5912648bf231/1.2/OCM-Agenda-131222.pdf pages 290-299.

www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au

The minutes for the Town of East Fremantle - Special Meeting of Electors - Swan River Crossings have been posted on the Town of East Fremantle’s webpage.

Thank you to Sally and Ian and the hard working volunteers and our generous donors who have done so much to get this issue in the spotlight.

SOS Fremantle and Bridge Integrity Group are proud as punch of what we have achieved in the last few months, and have been busy catching up on often neglected work, family and sleep responsibilities over the past week.

More to come - watch this space. 🌈💚💙💚

www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au

Here we are celebrating Pride and lighting up a bridge to represent the rainbow.

Yet in Fremantle the absolutely iconic and celebrated Containbow Artwork is to be removed, and the cliff and parkland below demolished if the current MRWA plans to take Canning Highway to the river are enacted.

So 1962 in its thinking - in so many ways - it’s astonishing.

Perth’s Pride Parade is back!

For the first time, the Transport Portfolio is participating in the Parade, with around 60 people from Main Roads, PTA, the Department of Transport, the Office of Major Transport Infrastructure Delivery, Westport and METRONET marching and wearing a specially-designed Pride Transport t-shirt.

Following behind them will be a specially-decked out, pride-themed Transperth bus.

And to add to the festivities, all Main Roads landmarks, including the Matagarup Bridge, will be lit up in rainbow colours tonight.

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No SOS Sunday this Sunday 2.00-3.00pm at Beach Street Co. cafe.
Taking a breath after two successful council meetings and regrouping for the next step.
A big thank you to all our supporters for your help so far.
Be in touch soon.
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Hi everyone, quick update te the petition we started yesterday - obviously we want it to count so we need to follow process. Just want to say that in less than 12 hours we achieved 100 signatures (!!) so obviously we want to make our voices heard and get this project stopped.

Here’s the update we sent to signatories.

Pausing Petition (so we can make it count)

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your signature and sharing to date. In order for this petition to count we need to pause it, review it, and will likely need to restart the petition on a new platform, which will enable this to be considered by the Legislative Assembly of the WA Government.
Hopefully this process wont take too long. We will be running the petition over summer and will present to the Legislative Assembly early in the new year.

Thanks,

Lisa,
SOS Team

🚗 Swan River Crossings Project - Special Meeting of Electors Last Night 🚗

Last night the Town held a Special Meeting of Electors in relation to the Main Roads Swan River Crossings Project.

We would like to thank all of those who attended - we accepted 140 into Council Chambers and extended the standing area into additional spaces.

We would like to apologise to those who were not able to attend due to the Town reaching and exceeding maximum capacity. Thank you for your understanding.

, you champion - and the Chook finally realises there's something going on!

Word, Ian Ker…

Minutes 📋
Special Meeting of Electors
Town Hall Meeting 🏫
Fremantle
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Click on link ⬇️

www.fremantle.wa.gov.au

Great to see Main Roads ceasing investigations at Charles St after public outcry.

We need your help to stop MRWA plans for diverting Canning to the River in Fremantle.
• Write to your politicians.
• Write to the papers.
• Go to the Town of East Fremantle - Special Meeting of Electors - Swan River Crossings (if you’re an elector)

We can stop this.
We will stop this.

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From the article…

Transport Minister Rita Saffioti told parliament on Tuesday afternoon the decision to scrap the study came after a meeting between her office and Main Roads.

After reviewing the feedback received so far, the consultation period was cut short by more than a month.

"It's clear that there is significant community concern about the proposal," she said.

"It is for that reason, it was agreed Main Roads would wrap up consultation now and will take the time to carefully consider options for the future of Charles Street."

Controversial inner-city highway plan scrapped after negative public feedback The plan unveiled by WA's road authority just last month is scrapped after negative public feedback opposing the demolition of up to 100 properties in Perth's inner-city suburbs.

A reminder that ToEF are hosting community info sessions for the Swan River Crossings Bridge Alliance team at their offices tomorrow and next week.

Tomorrow is a great opportunity to find out more about what the project team are saying prior to Thursday nights Town of East Fremantle - Special Meeting of Electors - Swan River Crossings

Please let us know, if you head along, what your perceptions are.

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📢 Swan River Crossings Project - Community Info Sessions 📢

The Town is providing the venue and Main Roads is providing the information at two community information sessions regarding the Swan River Crossings Project. The details are:

🔸 Wednesday 23 November - 11am to 2pm at Town Hall (135 Canning Highway, East Fremantle)

🔸 Thursday 1 December - 5pm to 7pm at Town Hall (135 Canning Highway, East Fremantle)

To read more about the Swan River Crossings Project, please visit:
https://www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au/development/major-projects/swan-river-crossing.aspx