• John Cunai (front) and other Spearwood residents say Cockburn council is neglecting their suburb while lavishing attention on the beachside and Cockburn Central. Photos by Jeremy Dixon
Spearwood locals are angry Cockburn city council’s plans to improve their ageing suburb have been gathering dust for four years.
Former members of the now-defunct Spearwood Community Association met with top brass August 2 to find out why no work had started on the heavily promoted Phoenix Revitalisation plan.
The project covers an 800-metre walkable catchment from the Phoenix town centre, which includes a community hub, with a town square/piazza, a new life learning centre, cafe strip and park.
Len Glamuzina says Spearwood has been completely forgotten by the council.
“This project was initiated by council to lift the standard of the area, but nothing has happened.
“Look what’s happened at Cockburn Central and peripheral suburbs—they have been accommodated with all those facilities.
“The mayor dangled the old carrot, but said nothing about what would be spent on the area.
“Spearwood used to be the heart of Cockburn.”
Mr Glamuzina now fears money for the revitalisation plan could be funneled into the new $107 million training facility for the Dockers at Cockburn Central.
“I hope they are not trying to accommodate the Dockers, because they are not even ratepayers,” he snarls.
John Cunai says the Phoenix plans have not been updated on the council website for six years.
“More than 160 people sat down with consultants and the council went through reams of butchers’ paper and the R codes have been changed but beyond that nothing has happened.
“I understand it’s a long-term plan, but keep residents in the loop and start spending money in established areas.
“Six or seven years down the track who is to say anything is going to happen then.”
Lyndsey Wetton says with mergers on the horizon now is the time to “re-ignite the conservation of this largely ignored part of Cockburn”.
“Understandably, the amalgamation could throw a spanner in the works for infrastructural progress, particularly the relocation of city admin and council chambers, but the merger should not preclude ratepayers/residents from living in an amenable, well-maintained suburb,” she says.
“For those who have invested their lives and energy in the area and those who have bought into the area on the basis of redevelopment and improvement, I hope the city can clarify its position on the future of the Phoenix central area.”
by BRENDAN FOSTER