23/9/01The initiation of a site master plan for Fremantle Prison marked the Labor Government's recognition and firm commitment to its importance and future, Housing and Works Minister Tom Stephens said today.
Speaking at the official opening of the Fremantle Prison Visitors' Centre, Mr Stephens said he was pleased to announce a special allocation of funding in this year's Budget to enable the master plan to be developed.
"The $150,000 plan will be developed by a team with expertise in conservation, interpretation, heritage property management and development, commercial enterprise, and tourism, history and museology," he said.
"The aim is to set realistic priorities for the future use and development of the precinct. Without doubt, Fremantle Prison is one of Western Australia's premier cultural heritage places, and its uniqueness as Australia's most intact convict-built cell range is recognised internationally.
"Importantly, the plan will be supported by thorough analysis of the issues and assessment of its recommendations."
Mr Stephens said a key to the process was broad consultation with stakeholders and the wider community.
Meanwhile, he said the opening of the Visitors' Centre marked a milestone in the history of the prison since it was decommissioned almost 10 years ago and that he was pleased the State Government had invested $150,000 in the project.
The concept of the centre was to provide visitors with a taste of the rich cultural history that began in the 1850s with the arrival of the first convicts and the construction of the prison.
The centre featured fascinating museum exhibits that communicated elements of life at the prison for its inmates and their keepers.
Also on offer were inter-active, multi-media displays and a database which people could search to see if they had convicts in their family tree.
Launching the centre, which is based at the prison gatehouse, Mr Stephens said the challenge remained to look for ways to bolster the prison's strengths into conservation and interpretation programs.
Mr Stephens said any new developments needed to ensure that the prison's cultural heritage values were maintained, while attracting more people to visit and use the site.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9213 6500
