BAKER’S SQUARE in Hamilton Hill is poised to become the new Hulbert Street.

Already semi-famous for its artsy community, the square will later this month be the hub for a new community fiesta that aims to take up the mantle of Hulbert’s now-defunct sustainability festival.

Environmental consultant Chris Ferreira is one of 15 who’ve volunteered to organise the fiesta and he says the response has been tremendous.

A mountain of recycled clothing has come in to sell, while 24 houses surrounding the square have been able to muster indigenous cultural experiences, food stalls, entertainment for the kids and, of course, arts and music.

Gary Burke has been living next to the square for 20 years and he’s seen it evolve from a forgotten backwater to one of Cockburn’s most sought-after addresses, by accident more than design.

When he moved in Baker’s Square was no more than a sand pit where people dumped cars. It had been directly in the lee of the South Fremantle power station and a slew of stinky abattoirs, which combined with Hami Hill’s reputation at the time to turn it into a no-go zone.

• Chris Ferreira and his tribe Saritah Higgins, Antoni Giglia, Akira Higgins, Jareth Raycraft and River Ferreira are celebrating a special square October 25. Photo by Steve Grant

As a result, it was overlooked by developers.

Instead, it was discovered by Fremantle artists pushed out of the port city as prices skyrocketed thanks to the America’s Cup in 1987.

The Keating government introduced an urban renewal program and money was found to demolish much of the state housing and redevelop the suburb. As part of the deal, Baker’s Square had to be cleaned up.

Mr Burke says when he moved in the square’s now-gorgeous stand of tuarts was just three metres high.

He’d been alerted to the cheap home by fellow Bungarra band member John Reed and immediately put in an offer. He says it was about two-thirds the price of anything similar in Fremantle.

Dr Burke says word of mouth helped cement an incredibly strong community, and he says it goes well beyond the arts.

“It’s not just artists; there’s chefs, vets, psychs, an architect, a plumber, a builder, and that’s what makes it so rich,” he told the Herald.

Another of the organisers, Maniisha, says the project was partially inspired by the national Garage Sales Trails event, and any proceeds will go towards Native Arc and St Pat’s Gimme Shelter charity.

The event’s on October 25 from 10am-4pm.

by STEVE GRANT