LABOR has pledged to help fund anti-flood and facility upgrades at Sir Frederick Samson Park.
The ALP say it will allocate $1.75 million to implement the City of Fremantle’s masterplan for the park if re-elected on May 3.
The money will be used to improve the park’s drainage systems and install “flood abatement measures” to filter stormwater, as well as “a network of boardwalks” for park accessibility, according to Fremantle MP Josh Wilson.
• Federal environment minister Tanya Plibersek and Fremantle MP Josh Wilson with members of the Friends of Samson Park.
Friends of Samson Park volunteer Alison Evison says the upgrades are “very necessary” for the Park, which floods every time it rains leaving the bushland littered and polluted.
“Whenever it rains, the drains flood, and all of the rubbish comes out of from the drains onto the grass,” Ms Evison.
“All of the wastewater with its contaminants washes into the bush, and the grass is degraded and looks disgusting.
“It’s also dangerous, because there are children and dogs with all that rubbish around, so it’s very crucial.”
Ms Evison says the FoSP are grateful to “finally” have both the Federal government and City of Fremantle “show some serious interest” in doing up the park.
“It’s a fantastic contribution, subject of course to them getting re-elected, but as a volunteer and local resident of Samson it’s huge because we’ve been asking for upgrades to the park for many years,” Ms Evison said.
“For it to finally come through [pending the results of the election], is a big relief.”
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER