Perth Voice Interactive

A WHO’S who of Perth’s art scene has banded together to try and convince Perth council to repair the iconic Ore Obelisk statue and not put a gifted US artist’s work in its place.

Ore Obelisk, also colloquially known as The Kebab, was designed by Perth’s first city planner Paul Ritter as a celebration of WA’s mining industry and had been in Stirling Gardens since 1971. It was removed in 2021 over concerns that some of the composite minerals that make up its design were falling apart and creating a hazard.

Leading the charge to save Obelisk from being consigned to oblivion is former City of Perth arts officer Helen Curtis, who has created an online petition and formed the group Save the Kebab.

Ms Curtis said the city’s decision to put the gifted statue Boonji Spaceman from US artist Brendan Murphy in its place showed deep disrespect for Perth’s cultural identity.

The council accepted the statue in June last year, a precursor to an exhibition by Murphy at Gullotti Galleries in the city later this year.

“Ore Obelisk is a landmark piece of Western Australian history that recognises the importance of the mining industry to the State,” Ms Curtis said.

“Boonji Spaceman is a generic, mass-produced sculpture with no connection to our people or place.

“This isn’t about rejecting new art.

“It’s about respecting and preserving art that tells Perth’s story. 

“The City’s arts policies are designed to preserve and maintain significant public artworks, engage local artists, and ensure transparency in acquisitions. Boonji Spaceman fails on all counts.”

Petition

As the Voice went to print the petition had garnered 669 signatures, including newish Edith Cowan University chancellor Gaye McMath who spent a stint as a commissioner at the City of Perth following the suspension of its council.

Ms McMath, who was also a board members of the state’s Chamber of Arts and Culture, urged the council to reconsider.

“The ore obelisk is an icon of Perth. It is an important work which reflects our history,” Ms McMath said.

DesignFreo founder Pippa Hurst echoed Ms Curtis’s comments about having Boonji Spaceman in its place, bluntly expressing what many in the arts community have been muttering under their breath about giving commercial artists free kicks.

“It’s an affront to accept a ‘free’ artwork that functions primarily to promote the artist, and then pay $250k for the install!” Ms Hurst said.

“Ore Obelisk” is a site-specific artwork that is intrinsically linked to the city, its people and our collective memory. 

“The curation of the city’s art should follow the agreed procurement policy designed to ensure we get work of enduring meaning and quality, made primarily by local artists. 

“That’s what gives cities their identity. 

“A statue that sits in a resort in Antigua does not belong in Stirling Gardens next to Council House. 

“Unless there’s a plan to turn Council House into a neon-lit hotel… ‘Save the Kebab’ and don’t turn our city into a second-rate theme park.”

Ms Curtis pointed out in a Save the Kebab press release that a 2021 structural report costed restoration of the statue at $118,000, less than half Boonji’s installation costs. She disagreed with the council’s rationale that the installation was a small price for a world-class sculpture which would attract people to the city.

“This isn’t just about one artwork,” she said.

“It’s about the thread of history that runs through our city and records its evolution. Perth deserves quality public art that amplifies our stories and supports our artists, not pieces parachuted in for Instagram.”

The City of Perth wouldn’t put a name to the responses it provided to the Chook’s questions, but that’s hardly surprising as they were mostly ignored except for the fact Obelisk is still held in storage.

Not answered was whether the decision to scrap the statue or accept Murphy’s offer had been run past its Arts Advisory Committee.

The City did say that Stirling Gardens was only intended as a temporary location for Boonji Spaceman, which may eventually make its way to Elizabeth Quay.

“The Ore Obelisk was removed in 2021 following advice from engineers that it was unsafe and posed a risk to public safety,” the response said.

“Large sections of rock had fallen from the structure. The extent of the work that needs to be carried out on this artwork is significant. 

“The City has been advised by engineers that, given the artwork’s age and current state, it requires full replacement or major refurbishment works. 

“This includes replacing all of the conglomerate rock elements.

“The decision to accept a 7m tall Boonji Spaceman, valued at US$1 million, as a gift from US artist Brendan Murphy was a decision made by Council in June 2024. Accepting the Boonji Spaceman statue as a gift does not contradict the City’s public art policies.”

Former Perth lord mayor Basil Zempilas had enthused about Boonji Spaceman’s relevance to Perth when accepting the gift, with the artist saying he’d been inspired to make the gesture after hearing about astronaut John Glenn’s description of the city’s lights as he orbited the Earth in 1962.

by STEVE GRANT

WHILE one of the world’s most popular actors turned his focus to mining in WA’s jarrah forests this week, local activists are planning a world record “tree pose” in protest at its expansion.

On Tuesday film star Leonardo DiCaprio highlighted the Australian government’s approval of mining company South 32’s expansion of its bauxite operations in the Peel region on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, which together have around 100 million followers.

“This operation will destroy critical habitat for over 8,000 species, 80 per cent of which are found nowhere else on Earth,” he posted.

In response, prime minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday reportedly questioned whether the actor actually knew where WA’s bauxite mines were.

Meanwhile next Saturday (March 22) the Wilderness Society is planning to break the world record for the most people holding the tree pose as a statement against the expansion and its impact on rare species such as black cockies and woylies.

Although the main event is in Kalamunda, the society says people can Zoom in to take part. Currently the world record is a very reachable 114 people, having been set by India’s Joylakhi Payeng Yoga Academy by Zoom during the height of the Covid pandemic. 

To register and get updates, head to: www.wilderness.org.au/WA-unite-for-the-jarrah

 

NEWLY minted Bibra Lake MLA Sook Yee Lai says concerns raised about donations her father’s company gave Labor are “unfounded” and she’s just ready to get stuck into local issues.

Ms Lai replaces retiring Labor MLA Peter Tinley, who represented Bibra Lake under its former name Willagee from 2009, with the current count showing her swamping Liberal candidate Atul Garg with 71.2 per cent of the vote after preferences. 

Ms Lai said another candidate raised the donations at pre-polling booths to “unnerve” her.

Her father is Lai Ha Hong, managing director of Phosphate Resources Ltd and something of a union legend on Christmas Island.

He founded the company in 1990 after convincing the federal government to allow islanders to re-open the phosphate mine after the state-owned enterprise had been closed three years earlier, devastating local employment opportunities.

He’d been a labourer at the mine and became involved with the local union in their fight for a fair wage, as well as representing the island’s migrant workers against systemic racism.

According to the Australian Electoral Commission, Phosphate Resources Ltd donated $62,717 to the Labor party in the 2021-2022 financial year. 

It included $44,317 for the WA branch, $15,000 to the Northern Territory branch and $3,400 to the federal branch. 

A further $7,000 went to the federal Liberal Party.

Six months after the final donation, Ms Lai landed her first job in the Labor party as office manager of federal Tangney MP Sam Lim. 

Ms Lai said the role was advertised, but Mr Lim personally asked her to apply. 

While saying she couldn’t comment on why Phosphate Resources had donated to the party, Ms Lai said voters had their say.

“I did work very hard to earn the people’s trust, and it was validated at the election,” Ms Lai said.

But it was obviously a touchy point, as she warned the Herald about the potential for defaming the Labor Party.

Ms Lai said she intends to deliver on her commitments to the Bibra Lake community but is also concerned with other issues such as the environment and cost of living.

She said her approach to environmental issues would be to look at how she could make an impact in “the immediate local vicinity”.

“I am really focussed on that, supporting WA Wildlife, supporting the Wetlands Centre at Cockburn because [these] two institutions educate the community on conservation and the immediate impact of climate change on the electorate.” 

Ms Lai said climate and environment actions required collaboration between the three levels of government. 

“If everyone thinks locally first, it all links up to a more global way in which we deal with environment and interact in that space, Ms Lai said.”

Ms Lai graduated from Murdoch University in 2003 with a double degree in Asian studies and education and worked at Churchlands Senior High School, where she founded a Mandarin language program. 

After taking time off to raise a family, Ms Lai worked in the mining industry at “a really small, small mining company.”

by ELOISE BUDIMLICH

NORTH FREO residents say they are “frustrated” and “angry” by the gridlock already being caused by construction of Fremantle’s new traffic bridge. 

The North Fremantle Community Association issued an email to residents to “address the mounting traffic chaos” caused by the partial closure of the old traffic bridge while it is being redeveloped. 

According to 25 responses to the email, residents say there has been repeated traffic gridlock, especially from mid-afternoon until 6pm, with traffic “banking up” on Stirling Highway to Tydeman and Alfred Roads, as well as south of the bridge at Preston Point Road. 

The NFCA say there has been very little communication about solutions or contingency plans from Main Roads WA; they wonder what the situation will be like when the bridge is fully closed later this year. 

NFCA convenor Gerard MacGill says the traffic snarls make it “extremely difficult” for residents to travel into the CBD. 

“If they have a plan, they haven’t told us, and it’s about time they do,” Mr MacGill said. 

“There’s no point in saying that the bridge won’t close for another six to eight months or whatever it is… the problem is now, and people are frustrated, people are angry. 

“If you prepare people well for the ultimate problem, they might more easily reconcile themselves to it and simply accept that they have to plan and be patient.” 

The residents also contributed a range of suggestions to mitigate the gridlock, including ‘keep clear’ zones in the intersections along Stirling Highway, and changes to traffic light priorities. 

Main Roads are “aware of the concerns” highlighted by North Freo residents and will “consider the applicability and suitability” of their suggestions, according to spokesperson Dean Roberts. 

“The new Fremantle Traffic Bridge will significantly reduce congestion in the area, but as with most major infrastructure projects, there will be disruption during the construction process,” Mr Roberts said. 

“The project team continues to liaise closely with the community to ensure appropriate traffic management is in place.” 

Mr Roberts says MRWA are focusing on “extensive planning” to ensure a comprehensive strategy to deal with the bridge’s full closure. 

“Measures under consideration include modifications to the road network, including changes to intersections and accesses to prioritise key movements, and additional Intelligent Transport Systems initiatives, such as cameras, to monitor traffic conditions,” Mr Roberts said. 

“We are also examining alternative travel arrangements, including public transport capacity, potential for mode switch, route choice, travel time changes, flexible working arrangements, and car-pooling. 

“The changes will be communicated extensively over the coming months.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER

A NEW cultural cycling experience is cruising into Perth this month as WestCycle invites the community to explore the deep cultural Whadjuk roots of the city’s latest landmark, the Boorloo Bridge in East Perth.

Next Saturday (March 22), cyclists and pedestrians will hear from Whadjuk elder Aunty Karen Jacobs, who will share the environmental, historical, and cultural significance of the site before leading a ride across the Matagarup Kaardijin Bidi (Matagarup Knowledge Trail). The event promises river views, artworks, and a firsthand look at the bridge’s unique Noongar-inspired design.

“Matagarup is a very significant location to Whadjuk people and our history and refers to the place where the river is only leg deep,” Ms Jacobs said.

“It was always a crossing point for men only, as men and women did not enter ceremonial, sacred and prominent areas at the same location.

“This was one of very few shallow crossing points on the river, where there were six islands surrounded by mudflats, with a firm sandy crossing point in the middle.

“The crossing allowed Whadjuk people and visiting Aboriginal communities to enter onto Boorloo (our ancient city) for decision making, trade and barter, ceremony, and social interaction for thousands of years.”

West Cycle’s membership and engagement manager Rachel Pemberton said the bridge had been a game-changer for active transport in Perth. 

“The bridge has been really fantastic. It’s been a welcome addition to the active transport network, because the causeway bridge there has always been narrow and congested,” Ms Pemberton said.

“Now, they’ve got a dedicated space where people have plenty of room to walk, ride, or scoot.”

Beyond its practical benefits, the Boorloo Bridge stood as a testament to meaningful collaboration with Noongar elders, who played a key role in shaping the design.

“[Their help] led to where the pylons are positioned, they’ve integrated boomerang shapes, and the choosing of the placement in the water because the Swan River is a very sacred site for Noongar people,” Ms Pemberton said.

Ms Jacobs said the goal for the day was, “Slow down and take in the beauty and significance of the Matagarup, understand the cultural form of the Boorloo bridge, and why cultural heritage is so significantly represented in the construction and the design of the bridge”.

She also related the importance of Fanny Balbuk, a Noongar woman known for her resistance to colonial encroachment. 

“Fanny was known for breaking down and climbing over fences, erected by early settlers; she continued to walk traditional routes to gather bush foods,” Ms Jacobs said.

“Fanny was often arrested for forcing her way into newly constructed houses, built on traditional tracks, and smashing fence palings with her wanna (digging stick).

“Fanny would stand at the gates of the newly formed Government House cursing everyone inside, as the stone walls and gates were guarded by soldiers.” Ms Jacobs said the compound’s construction had enclosed Ms Balbuk’s grave.”

Cyclists are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets to ride the scenic trail, ending with a coffee and community chat at Point Fraser. Tickets are $10 for WestCycle members and $20 for non-members, with kids joining for free.

by IZZY GONZALEZ

MAYLANDS resident Kevin Russell attended a recent meeting held by the City of Bayswater to discuss the Maylands lakes masterplan and remediation options, which was attended by consultants Alluvium and Josh Byrne and Associates. This was his take on the meeting.

THE degradation of the lakes has been festering for a significant number of years and has now reached a crisis point.

Prior remediation action has been ad hoc and ineffective.

Only about 70 residents attended, others may have commented via the engage Bayswater website.

I thought numbers may have been greater given that this is an issue that affects all CoB ratepayers.

Residents had been provided with pre-reading. 

Three options were presented, ranging from minimum, medium, or high intervention concepts.  

The effectiveness, cost, time and disruption to amenity increased at each intervention, but no indicative cost was provided.

There was one graph showing capital expenditure ($30 million) against operating expenditure which intersected at the lower end of the medium intervention, but it wasn’t clear if it was to be interpreted literally or as an example.

This is where the problems with the process started to emerge; should decisions be made without knowing the cost?

Few, if any of the crowd, have scientific or environmental credentials, so how were we able to judge the validity and effectiveness of the proposed interventions? 

This dilemma was very clearly highlighted in relation to a report commissioned by the City of Bayswater in 2016.  

In part, it concluded the source of the nutrient load within the lakes (a principal contributor to lake degradation) was stormwater runoff, while groundwater contributed very little.

This was the direct opposite of the conclusion presented in the meeting’s pre-reading and presentation.

Who amongst us is qualified to assess this contradiction? Which conclusion is valid?

Is this a case of ‘trust me, I’m an environmental consultant’?

There was extensive discussion by the community regarding these issues.

Groundwater was shown as flowing towards the lakes from the 40-hectare golf course, which effectively abuts the lakes.

The golf course probably needs fertiliser to stay green, but it was assessed as not contributing to the lakes’ nutrient load because hydrostatic pressure was maintaining equilibrium.

Figures provided appeared to validate this conclusion, but few present would be able to competently comment.

There was lively discussion around the options proposed and the role of cormorants in relation to their contribution to nutrient load.

A very contentious figure of 25 per cent was arrived at by the consultants, hotly disputed by many present.

One of the masterplan options was making the lakes shallower and filling them with clean sand to reduce algal bloom.

One resident calculated that 10,000 trucks of sand would be required to fill the deep pits in the lakes.

There was a suggestion the lakes could be reconfigured and partially filled, with a more manageable aquatic environment, though it’s an option likely to be met with strong opposition.

The potential risk possessed by cyanobacteria was diminished by the presenter, despite residents such as those in Hinkler Loop expressing concern about a cluster of significant adverse health diagnoses for several residents. 

While they acknowledge it was unquantified, it was enough of a concern to be raised.

Many residents wanted to see a significant reduction in chemical use within the lake precinct.

There was a very clear perception by many that the consultants were sincere and knowledgeable, but had been given the job to sell the masterplan.

Whilst many of the councillors present appeared sincere, there was a general air of scepticism and distrust by residents regarding the process.

It was noted that Dan Bull, councillor, Labor candidate for Maylands and former mayor of Bayswater during a period of rapid lake degradation, was not present.

Whilst CoB did identify the lakes as a key advocacy project, they lack the funds for a high-intervention solution.

Two topics that require further examination remain include whether the City should simply return the lakes to WA government control as well as why the council and community had to wear the cost of remediation.

Given that Satterly didn’t install biofilters in the initial development, shouldn’t they bear some financial responsibility? Or was there some form of payment in lieu? 

Shouldn’t the state bear some of the financial burden given it would have ultimately approved the subdivision?

With all the above considered, if you throw in the wide card of climate change, you have one hot, expensive mess.

It is a mess that can no longer be shied away from.

We have one shot at returning Maylands lakes to the diverse, fauna-rich and healthy aquatic environment it once was. 

If incorrect remedial action is implemented it will become either a toxic sludge pit, a money pit or in a worst-case scenario, both. 

A very grim prospect indeed.

To finish on a positive note, it wasn’t all doom and gloom, the catering was excellent!  CoB and the caterers are to be commended.

TURTLE TRACKERS are celebrating a “small win” after Cockburn council voted to consider increased funding for fox control. 

At its meeting on Tuesday the council approved a funding increase from $20,000 – $50,000 to be “considered for inclusion” into its 2025-26 budget, according to Cockburn director of sustainable development and safety Dan Arndt. 

The City says it has already doubled its annual allocation to $40,000 this year. 

“The proposed further funding increase to a total of $50,000 for fox control is a direct response to the loss of 118 turtles at Bibra Lake due to fox predation in May 2024 at the end of Perth’s driest six-month period on record,” Mr Arndt said. 

“This includes funds for reactive control to be undertaken due to observed increases in fox predation rates on turtles at local lakes. 

“The consideration of $40,000 for the PSWMA Fox Monitoring and Targeted Control Project will help determine how effective the existing fox control programs are in the region…it will also help to determine how the City’s control can be undertaken in the most effective manner.”

Two weeks ago, the Herald reported complaints from Bibra Lake volunteer group Walliabup Wildlife Warriors about the City’s response to a turtle massacre at the hands of foxes last year. 

The Warriors had called for increased funding for the City’s fox control program, as well as quarterly fox control efforts which they say is most effective to curb Cockburn’s fox population. 

Warriors secretary Felicity Bairstow says the announcement is “definitely a positive” for turtle conservation efforts, but the funding commitment is well below what they’d called for. 

“We are making some progress, just not quite as much as we’d like to,” Ms Bairstow said. 

“We’d done a pretty thorough analysis and got our own quotes…we wanted the fox control [funding] increased to $90,000 a year. 

“Several people on the Council made it clear that there was still a possibility to get that increase,” she said. 

Mr Arndt said the City also hoped the Perth South West Metropolitan Alliance could push for a coordinated response by other councils in the area and state government help to improve control on its land.

“It will be important that increased efforts by the City are complemented by increase control by various state government agencies that manage conservation reserves.” 

Mr Arndt also highlighted that the new $50,000 allocation is “more than double” than that of surrounding local governments. 

“Our City began advocating for a regional fox monitoring and targeted control program in the weeks following the devastating turtle deaths at Bibra Lake,” Mr Arndt said. 

“The City of Cockburn has been deeply committed to protecting the local Southwestern snake-necked turtle population for many years and continues to explore ways to enhance turtle conservation.” 

However, the Warriors say it is a “bit cheeky” for Cockburn to be boasting about its potential increased funding. 

“The City of Cockburn is by far the largest local government area in the region,” Ms Bairstow said. 

“If you look at Melville, who is a neighbour, it’s a third of the size of the City of Cockburn, so if we’re spending twice as much on fox control, we probably might not be doing enough still. 

“It’s not a comparison,” she said.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER