Controversial high rise placed on heritage list

25/8/00
Western Australia's first ever high-rise for public housing, which caused public outcry when it was built in 1956, has been placed on the Register of State Heritage Places.
Heritage Minister Graham Kierath announced today heritage protection for the Wandana Apartment Block which comprises 242 apartments on the corner of Thomas Street and Bagot Road in Subiaco.
Mr Kierath said when the complex of one 10-storey and two three-storey blocks was built in 1956, it was criticised by the media and described as the 'sabotage of Subiaco'.
"Wandana was an experiment in multi-storey public housing and it caused a good deal of controversy and discussion at the time," the Minister said.
"The West Australian newspaper wrote that the 242 flats conjured up visions of the slums of Tokyo, London and Glasgow and that future generations would deplore the handiwork of the Minister of the time."
Mr Kierath said MP Dame Florence Cardell Oliver even dubbed Wandana the 'sabotage of Subiaco' and also warned of the area being turned into slums.
"The critics missed the point that at the time, the waiting list for State housing was about 11,000 people and the transport system was not what it is today," Mr Kierath said.
"Even with population growth, the Homeswest waiting list now is only around 12,000. So to have 11,000 on the list back in the 1950s was significant."
Mr Kierath said the complex had been placed on the heritage register because it was a significant part of Western Australia's architectural and public housing history.

Media contact: Zac Donovan (08) 9213 6400