Take a Stand! Save the Urban Wetland at Perth Cultural Centre

Here is a list of some special people who will be giving speech at the event, specifically about why the Urban Wetland should be saved, and why it means so much to them:

– Mandy Bamford, Past President of the Western Australian Naturalists’ Club, Ecologist and science communicator
– Thom Scott, Board Member of Trillion Trees (formally Men of the trees), public speaker, educator and advocate for holistic people enabled, sustainable, built and natural environments
– Gabriel, 16 year old student who has visited the wetland since he was a little critter himself
– more to come…
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SIGN THE PETITION:

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WHAT THE PEOPLE WANT:

1) Retain, maintain, and incorporate the Wetland into the PCC rejuvenation plan; or

2) If demolished, build an equivalent or more substantial Wetland space incorporated into the new PCC rejuvenation design with careful relocation of the current ecosystem.

THE SITUATION:

The Perth Cultural Centre (PCC) connects the Perth Train Station and the entertainment district of Northbridge. It is described by Development WA as “the cultural heart of the city”.

Within this cultural heart lies a Wetland established in 2010. A 4-year fauna education program enlisted children to populate it with critter residents. The Wetland is now home to permanent breeding populations of 3 species of native frogs, aquatic invertebrates, pygmy perch, and dragonflies. It has even hosted shy wetland birds such as the Buff-Banded Rail and Little Grassbird.

Other than being a home for urban nature with its associated benefits for human health, it is an outdoor classroom, an entertainment venue, and a reflective meeting spot for visitors, families and city workers. In short, the Wetland is an environmental design success, with self-sustaining benefits in the social, visual, cultural, and ecological spheres.

This area is due for a $35 million rejuvenation. The initial 2022 Masterplan released by Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries WA highlighted the importance of water, the Wagyl (rainbow serpent), and incorporated elements of Wetland in its design philosophy.

However, a sneak peek into the updated 2023 design as reported by an ABC News article dated 5 September 2023 revealed that “there will be no new wetland within the Perth Cultural Centre rejuvenation project”. Instead, it would be replaced with pavement for a thoroughfare to Beaufort Street.

This Wetland is now in danger of demolition. We need your support in its preservation.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO

– Sign the petition – https://chng.it/cRTrNjkxLJ

– Attend the vigil – bring your friends, workmates and family

– Write to or call:
Morgan Solomon (Chair of the Arts and Culture Trust) pccevents@artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au
Minister David Templeman (Minister for Culture and the Arts) Minister.Templeman@dpc.wa.gov.au
Minister Reece Whitby (Minister for Environment and Climate Action) Minister.Whitby@dpc.wa.gov.au