FREMANTLE Labor MP Simone McGurk says she’s been tipped off that the Barnett government is poised to sell the historic warders’ cottages in Henderson Street.

She says she’s been given strong indications by “more than one” government department the sale will be announced soon—perhaps as early as next week’s state Budget.

Fueling her suspicions, WA housing minister Bill Marmion cancelled at short notice a meeting that was to have been held last Monday to discuss the future of the cottages.

“Privatising Fremantle’s heritage assets is a slap in the face for a community which has valued and appreciated these cottages,” Ms McGurk says.

She believes the plan involves renovating two or three cottages for sale, with the profits used to do up another couple.

“Any renovations takes about two years, so it will be a building site for the next 10 years,” she says.

Ms McGurk has a feeling premier Colin Barnett has the development of the rear of the cottages in the back of his head in any privatisation plans.

“When I came through here with him, he kept saying ‘what’s with all these backyards’,” Ms McGurk told the Herald.

She has a gut feeling the government has also abandoned plans to move the WA housing department and its flock of public servants to Fremantle.

“I hope I’m wrong, but there’s now more land available in the city and leasing prices have come off the boil, particularly in Plain Street where the department is,” she says.

The minister’s office wouldn’t comment.

by STEVE GRANT