Fears redevelopment brushed aside

ARTISTS are concerned plans for the redevelopment of Yanchep’s oldest building have stalled, with the earliest finish date estimated in 2019.

The heritage-listed Mary Lindsay Homestead, built by Bunnings Brothers in 1927, has been flagged for redevelopment as an arts and culture hub for several years.

Two Rocks Yanchep Culture and Arts Network (TRYCAN) chairwoman Pam Annesley said there had been little progress on the project since a memorandum of understanding was signed in June 2013.

The agreement included the City, Capricorn Village Joint Venture, West Coast Institute, Yanchep Two Rocks Lions Club and TRYCAN.

Ms Annesley said the group had last had an update from the City in April 2014, and TRYCAN vice chairwoman Angie Beck said there had been no meetings for about 18 months.

“It’s been going on for such a long time now, it’s ridiculous,” Ms Beck said.

At the March 31 Wanneroo Council meeting, Mayor Tracey Roberts said the City had included $4.1 million in its 10-year capital works program to redevelop the homestead.

“The Mary Lindsay Homestead is rich in history and the City is currently working to preserve this beautiful site for future generations to enjoy,” she said.

“In recent months, the City of Wanneroo has constructed a pathway to allow better access from the site to the beach, and has cleared the site of illegally dumped waste and old building materials.

“The restored homestead building will become a community arts and culture hub for use by local community groups.

“Significant funding to design and restore the homestead building will be considered as part of council’s budget process, with construction proposed over two years.

“Public open space, children’s play equipment and the community barbecue facilities are just some of the options proposed for future redevelopment at the site.”

While TRYCAN members acknowledged work done to remove asbestos and build a path, Ms Annesley said they were concerned the City was not holding meetings “because there’s nothing to discuss until they put it in the budget”.

“They have indicated that they might not do construction until 2018-19,” she said.

According to the City’s website, once the concept plan was finalised, it would go out for public comment. It said design of the redevelopment would take place in 2017-18 and construction in 2018-19.

Ms Annesley said the building was boarded up and lacked maintenance but had potential as a community hub.

“It gives people in the community a sense of belonging, a bit of heritage,” she said.

“We’ve got a bit of history in the area and I think it should be maintained.

“The idea is for it to be used as a community centre with the emphasis on arts and culture.”