THE overdue construction of new buildings at Fremantle Primary School has been a bone of contention for various community members during the last two-weeks with work on one site brought to a halt.
First, there was the removal of mature trees at Crandon Park – a site always intended for the expansion of Fremantle Primary School – for an early learning centre.
Then, as construction began on the new arts and music centre on the corner of the school’s current site, bones were discovered, stopping any further work.
For some local residents, such as Mark Cartell, both have been distressing sights that came without consultation.
However, Department of Education executive director of infrastructure James Thom said there was “extensive” consultation, including the principal visiting and writing to Crandon Street neighbours “to inform them of the plans”.
President of the school’s Parent and Citizens Association Ed Nepia said he was “really comfortable” that the school community was well-informed on developments.
Funded by the Federal Government’s Building the Education Revolution program, Fremantle MHR Melissa Parke said she worked with the P&C to have the original plan amended.
A police spokesman last week confirmed that the bones discovered by a resident digging in the area were not human remains and construction was able to commence again on Wednesday.
Councillor John Dowson, who spent the week trying to get construction stopped for archaeological analysis, said the problem was the city had seven days to approve the plans.
Mr Thom said it was the city’s responsibility to know if the site was “of planning significance”.
City of Fremantle planning and development director Philip St John confirmed the City had seven days to respond.
Cr Dowson said it was “irrelevant” if the bones were animal or human, because the site was a significant part of Fremantle’s history as it was once the cemetery and a rubbish tip.
“Nobody’s saying they can’t have these facilities, but what kind of educational message does it send to kids when you’re so insensitive about your own school site that you don’t even know that it’s the site of a former cemetery and you don’t even pay any respects for the archaeological significance,” he said.
He and Mr Cartell suggested the students be involved in an archaeological dig on the site.