Official opening of Motor Museum at Whiteman Park

2/4/95

Planning Minister Richard Lewis today officially opened the Motor Museum of Western Australia at Whiteman Park.

Mr Lewis said the opening of the museum meant that the Coalition Government had delivered on another of its election commitments.

In 1993 the Coalition pledged to assist in the establishment of a museum to preserve the State's transport heritage.

The Minister said the State Government had contributed the $660,000 needed to build the museum which has a showroom capacity of 2,000 square metres on two levels.

"The building currently houses 120 vehicles and motorcycles and has been designed with future extensions in mind," Mr Lewis said.

"Locating the Motor Museum within Whiteman Park will enhance the transport heritage theme which features throughout the park."

Whiteman Park also contains the Perth Electric Tramway Society, the WA Light Railway Preservation Association, the Bus Museum of WA and the Tractor Museum.

Mr Lewis said the Combined Car Clubs Association had played an important role in the establishment of the Motor Museum and its members would staff the museum on a voluntary basis.

"The Coalition recognised the need for a purpose-built facility to protect our motoring history when the Museum of Western Australia was forced to sell off part of its vintage car collection," he said.

"The Museum of Western Australia will make its vehicles available for displays and a number of items from the Percy Markham Collection will be on permanent show."

The Minister said the Motor Museum was sure to increase further the viability of Whiteman Park as a primary tourist destination in the Swan Valley.

"The availability of an open site provides room for not only a static display but also for demonstrations showing the vehicles in operation," Mr Lewis said.

"The building has a special air filtration system to prevent dust build up which minimises the risk of damage to the vehicles housed in the museum for any length of time."

Media contact:  Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595  221 1377 or 480 5125 (pgr)