A PROPOSED Indigenous artwork in Walyalup Koort has hit another snag, with representatives from St John’s Church warning Fremantle council about lease obligations and heritage impacts tied to the land around the church.

Their concerns were raised during debate over a planning document to cover the Fremantle city centre and northern gateway.

Church verger Philip Wright said the parish’s concerns were not about the existence of the artwork itself, but “its placement and process”.

Mr Wright said the permanent installation would extend “600 millimetres into the ground” and was “proposed directly over the site of the original St John’s Church, which is heritage listed”.

“This raises three issues,” he said.

“Lease compliance. The structure may be inconsistent with restrictions on structures, land tenure and legal process.”

He also questioned “whether the proposed proposal aligns with the statutory purpose of the land or required approvals”.

“Heritage in Fremantle is layered,” Mr Wright said.

“It should be integrated, not overwritten.”

Mr Wright also claimed there had been “a recurring issue” with events in the square, alleging lease conditions were “not consistently passed on to organisers”.

“Installations are placed within restricted areas, and events occur during church services with unacceptable noise levels,” he said.

“This reflects a systemic failure of process and compliance.”

Mr Wright said the parish supported “the continued activation” of the Koort but wanted council to acknowledge “land ownership and lease obligations” and clarify “the legal and planning basis for the proposed art installation”.

Leased

Parish rector Ernest Lennon told councillors the area identified in the policy as the “city triangle” was church land leased to the council.

“It does not belong to Fremantle city council, and it is not for Fremantle city council to determine its identity or its design,” Fr Lennon said.

The lease only allowed the land to be used “as an open air space for the public”, Fr Lennon said, adding the council had “no right to erect any buildings or structures”.

Mayor Ben Lawver later told the Herald he believed that since his election communication had improved between the council and the church, so he was unaware of the issues they’d raised at the meeting.

“So, we’ll continue to do that outreach and work with them,” he said.

“I mean, we’re neighbours, and they’re great neighbours.

“We’re all in this together, so we’ll just make sure that we’re communicating with them,” Mr Lawver said.