Arcs d’Ellipses removal goes to tender

A commitment to taking a ‘building by building’ approach to ensure safe and careful removal of the Arcs d’Ellipses artwork has prompted the City of Fremantle to undertake a formal tender process.

Internationally renowned artist Felice Varini used yellow-painted foil to create a striking optical illusion along High Street, Fremantle, as part of last year’s High Tide festival. After extending the artwork’s tenure on the back of its strong public acclaim, the City is currently working through the process to remove the foil.

Quotes were sought recently from a number of contractors but following review and evaluation the City has determined it will not accept any of these.

Instead, a more structured scope of works will be developed and a dedicated project manager assigned to work with building owners to create bespoke plans that consider the specific needs of each building.

Director Infrastructure and Projects Graham Tattersall said the City was committed to getting the artwork removed and buildings restored to their pre-installation condition in the most effective and sensitive way.

“Our priority is to ensure the foil comes off without impact on the buildings and so it’s important we are able to define and manage the most suitable and appropriate solution that considers each building’s individual characteristics,” he said.

“While the proposals we received in the initial request for quote were helpful in giving us a clearer picture of what is required, we were also concerned about the wide range of approaches, work methodologies and prices submitted – all of which were above the legislated threshold for councils to call for public tenders.

“On reflection, we felt the scope was probably too broad, and posed potential ambiguity and risks for contractors. We believe it’s best we take a ‘building by building’ approach that considers the varying conditions of the various facades, the different surfaces – and ensures the right solution for each situation.

“We appreciate the level of interest in the issue and our primary focus is to do this properly. We thank building owners for their understanding and patience and will work closely with them to ensure we get this right.”

 

Mr Tattersall said the City would ensure that building owners are kept  briefed through the procurement and delivery process.

“We will continue to provide community updates as the project progresses,” he said.

Liv Apartments Open Day This Saturday .

Liv sustainable housing complex of 166 apartments and 10 commercial premises on Queen Victoria Street is almost finished and they are holding an open day this Saturday at 1.30pm to 4pm.

Liv is the largest development in WA to be recognised by One Planet Living. It has a 7.5 start NatHERS average rating.

This is a development by Defence Housing Australia who are holding on to a third of apartments for their own us.

Along with the Heirloom apartments across the road, more than 500 people are expected to be living in this former commercial area. Of Fremantle’s $1.3b development pipeline, close to $600m is now completed or under construction.

…and in EV Charging in video form.

New electric car charging points at Fremantle’s Cappuccino Strip car park are now live

The new electric car charging points at Fremantle’s Cappuccino Strip car park are now live.

The four 22 kilowatt charging points are compatible with most electric vehicles, with a one hour charge giving between 18-40 kilometres of driving distance depending on the car.

There are also two standard 240 volt charging points, which means all current electric cars can be charged up using the appropriate cables.

The chair of the WA branch of the Australian Electric Vehicles Association Richard Baird said the new charging points would be greatly appreciated by the owners of electric cars.

“Fremantle has always supported electric vehicles and it’s fantastic that they’ve allocated four electric vehicle charging bays for the Cappuccino Strip and all EVs are welcome,” Mr Baird said.

“Around Perth there are probably about 50 or 60 of these charging points but that’s growing all the time, and as more electric vehicles are sold onto the market we’ll see more charging stations go in.

“Most people charge at home overnight but when you’re out and about doing errands these charging points are fantastic.”

While the drivers of electric cars will still have to pay for parking, charging their cars will be free.

The new charging points means the City of Fremantle was continuing to be a leader in sustainable transport.

We had free car charging at the Queensgate car park as well, and now that this new car park has opened it was really important that we expanded the service.

It’s all about sustainable transport and offering that mix. Our One Planet Strategy is focussed on either getting people out of cars, or if you’re going to be in a car then we’d like you to come down in an electric car.

It’s actually a really important attractor and I think offering this service in a public car park with free charging will just see more and more people coming up and using it.”

The City of Fremantle’s One Planet Strategy includes a commitment to encourage and enable the community to reduce carbon emissions from transport by at least 30 per cent by 2020.

The charging stations are just one of the environmentally friendly features of the new Cappuccino Strip car park, which was built using recycled road materials and also features solar lighting, storm water capture and water-wise native plants.

For more information about the City of Fremantle’s One Planet Strategy visit the One Planet page on our website.

To watch a video about the new electric car charging stations click here.

 

“Couch Conversations” for Homelessness Week in Freo

The City of Fremantle is supporting St Patrick’s Community Support Centre who is hosting  “Couch Conversations” in High Street (opposite City Beach Surf Shop) from 9am to 12noon on Friday 10 August 2018

Come hear about those with lived experience of homelessness and how we can end homelessness in WA and what you can do to help.

 

 

Raising Your Child In A Digital World With Dr. Kristy Goodwin

The Fremantle Primary School P&C is hosting a night with Dr Kristy Goodwin as she translates the latest research about how technology is shaping childhood into essential information for confused and concerned parents.

Dr Kristy helps parents make informed decisions about how to best manage screen-time at home (so that it doesn’t always end in ‘scream time’)… and no she won’t suggest that you ban the iPad, or unplug the TV! Parents will understand the latest risks to kids’ online safety (including current cyber-safety threats, pornography exposure, introduction of phones and social media), as well as the health, learning and development implications of primary school children growing up in a world of screens.

Kristy will share her simple formula to determine healthy screen-time limits and will arm parents with a host of strategies and ideas to help kids develop healthy technology habits. Dr Kristy will explain how technology is impacting kids’ learning, sleep, social, language, play, physical skills and their vision, hearing and posture and will arm parents with practical strategies about how to best raise kids in a digital world. Parents will learn how to get the most out of their child’s screen-time so they can finally ditch the guilt and guesswork.

Doors open from 6pm, with food and drink available to purchase from the bar, why not come along early and enjoy a catch up with friends and other parents beforehand.

6PM – doors open – food and drink available

7.30PM – talk starts (sharp)

9.30PM – evening concludes

Dr Kristy Goodwin is a leading digital parenting educator, researcher, author & former teacher (and mum who deals with her kids’ techno-tantrums). She translates the latest research into essential and digestible information and tips, for parents, educators and health professionals so that they can safely navigate the digital terrain… without suggesting that kids be ‘digitally amputated’! Kristy has spoken at and consulted with schools throughout Australia and Asia, she’s regularly called on by the media for her expert opinion.

LOCATION: South Fremantle Football Club

https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=398264&

New Episode of Density by Design – WGV Water Sensitive Urban Design

Perth has seen a major decline in annual rainfall in recent decades. Meanwhile heatwave conditions are predicted to increase and mains water demand over the next 40 years is projected to double.

With a growing population, coupled with a long-term decline in rainfall, there have been concerted efforts to diversify Perth’s water sources and use water more responsibly. Despite this, Perth residents are amongst the highest water users in the country.

This episode of Josh Byrne’s impressive Density by Design details how WGV is demonstrating leading water sensitive urban design through an integrated approach to water conservation, stormwater management and urban greening. Household mains water use is expected to be 70% less than the local average as the result of a suite of water efficiency and alternate water supply initiatives, including plumbed rainwater tanks and a community bore. Smart metering will capture water use data in real time to inform responsible water-use, supported by resident engagement programs. It is worth a watch and has some great background material on how the WGV sump park was made etc:

https://densitybydesign.com.au/wgv/#slide4

Density by Design is supported by the CRC for Low Carbon Living in partnership with Curtin University, LandCorp, City of Fremantle and Josh Byrne & Associates. The video series is produced by VAM Media and Directed by Brendan Hutchens.

For more information on Density by Design visit the website, or watch the latest videos here.