Fremantle’s heritage will be better preserved and displayed thanks to new funding announced today by Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Liberal candidate for Fremantle Sherry Sufi.
Commonwealth heritage grants totalling $133,000 will go to the former Fremantle Prison – the most extensive convict-built prison in Australia and WA’s only world heritage-listed building – and the Western Australia Museum, for its Batavia shipwreck display.
The announcement was made today during a visit to the former Fremantle Prison by Minister Hunt and Mr Sufi, where $80,000 will go towards the preservation of the blacksmith’s workshop.
Built in 1852, it was the first building constructed by convicts at the site but in recent years has become severely degraded.
“The grant will pay for a replacement roof and repairs to the roof plumbing and joinery,” Minister Hunt said.
“This funding will preserve the blacksmith’s workshop and enhance visitor experience at the site, which is recognised for its Outstanding Universal Value by UNESCO.”
A second grant of $53,000 will enable the Western Australian Museum to securely display its entire collection of some 67,000 coins from the wreck of the Dutch ship Batavia.
This project will enable visitors to watch the curators working on the collection. A strong room will be created in the WA Museum Shipwrecks Galleries with an armoured glass viewing window and two-way communication.
“This unique facility will give greater public access to this important collection and allow visitors a fascinating insight into the work of curators,” Senator Back said.
Liberal Candidate for Fremantle, Sherry Sufi, said he was delighted that the Coalition Government was supporting Fremantle’s heritage places.
“Fremantle has an important history and its heritage places are a huge drawcard for visitors, both from within Australia and overseas,” Mr Sufi said.
“It’s an important part of the local economy and supports jobs.”
The heritage grants are under the Commonwealth’s Protecting National Historic Sites Programme, which supports activities that protect, manage and conserve places listed on the National Heritage List for their historic values.
The programme also contributes to the management and long-term sustainability of these places and improves community awareness of and engagement with these sites.