WA LABOR will ask Department of Defence if LandCorp could manage the sale of the Leeuwin Barracks with the proceeds to go towards a large ship lift in Henderson if elected next month.
If elected, a Labor government would implement a master plan, requiring the support of the Town of East Fremantle and Department of Defence, to include heritage protection and robust traffic analysis.
Opposition Leader Mark McGowan, Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk and Bicton Labor candidate Lisa O’Malley met outside the barracks on Monday afternoon to make the pledge.
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READ NOW“As a former naval officer I understand the importance of our military history and the need to protect our heritage,” Mr McGowan said.
“This plan will not only protect the unique history of the site, it will also ensure that valuable public open space is preserved for the future.”
The plan would create jobs locally by reinvesting the proceeds into WA-based defence industries, he said.
A spokesman for the Premier’s office said the land was owned by the Commonwealth.
The Department of Defence was contacted for comment.