Perth Voice Interactive

ENVIRONMENTAL protestors have turned their sights towards convincing the Cook government to reinstate a wetland in plans for the Perth Cultural Centre redevelopment.

Contractors started draining and removing the existing wetlands on Monday this week, which the local government, sport and cultural industries department says has an un-repairable leak (“Last push to save cultural centre wetlands,” Voice, December 21, 2024) and a $50 million revamp of the precinct is an opportunity to remove it.

That prompted around 60 protestors to hold a candlelight vigil last Sunday, still hopeful of saving it, but now that’s no longer possible they want the department to revisit a 2022 masterplan showing a replacement wetland linking the centre and Beaufort Street.

Supporters say the wetland is a “beacon of hope” in a “concrete landscape”, an important home to birds, frogs, fish, reptiles and other wildlife, a heritage link for Noongar people and a much-loved outdoor playground and classroom to connect children with nature.

“This tiny wetland ecosystem has been a beacon of hope in a city swallowed up by more concrete and bitumen each day and gives an insight into what Perth once looked like,” environmental campaigner Paddy Cullen said.

“Perth has lost more than 80 per cent of its wetlands and we need to turn this around.

“The government should return to the original plan to incorporate a wetland and bring some joy and life back into the area.”

Fellow wetlander Linda Rawlings would like to see something similar incorporated into a children’s playground shown in the current designs.

“Children need more green time and less screen time,” Ms Rawlings said.

“Money could be diverted from the proposed electronic billboard to create a wetland – a living legacy for the kids.

“This wetland has been a community effort, with hundreds of children helping to create it. 

“We would love to see the wetland survive and thrive for future generations.”