Thousands rally to save Leighton
By Anthony Benbow
FREMANTLE — "You all know what you see when you're sitting on the train or driving along Stirling Highway; you come over the hill to this glorious view over the beach and the ocean, and it reminds you of what life is really about. We oppose this development going ahead because you won't see the beach or the ocean. You'll have a hard time even getting to the beach; all you'll see is more buildings!"
Nearly 10,000 people roared their approval for this and many other similar statements at a rally on November 7 to save Leighton beach in North Fremantle from developers Multiplex.
The rally was organised by the Leighton Action Coalition, which has campaigned against the proposed Leighton Shores development since March. While many people are fearful of adverse local impact, concerns extend far beyond that.
This proposal was initiated by Richard Court's state government, when (after many years of running down the rail system) it decided to get rid of the Leighton marshalling yards, adjacent to the beach.
Multiplex obliged with a proposal which included multi-storey apartments all along the beachfront and major restrictions on public access. Multiplex is infamous in Perth as the beneficiary of a WA Inc deal which delivered the riverfront Old Swan Brewery site to it for $1 a year.
The Leighton Action Coalition has highlighted abuses of public process. The developers and Westrail developed the site plans, rather than the government planning commission. The environmental needs of the coastal zone were not considered, nor recreation and access needs.
The coalition has produced an alternative plan, emphasising public consultation and moving roads and residential areas to allow for increased parkland and community access to the beachfront. It has demanded that the beach remain public space, rather than becoming the private preserve of the well heeled.
Speakers from the coalition, and their supporters, received a warm response from rally-goers, but Liberal MP Colin Barnett was howled down when he tried to justify the planning process. Barnett was not on the original program but asked to speak (as did Aboriginal activist Clarrie Isaacs, whose request to address the crowd was refused by organisers).
Protesters were urged to sign letters objecting to the development and send them to Richard Court. The rally ended on a high note with the Mexican wave-style "Leighton wave", the crowd waving their towels along the length of the beach. The coalition can be contacted on 9433 3398 or by e-mail at <susandruss@bigpond.com>.