News - 18 July 2009 - John Dowson in the Fremantle Herlad
Dowson blasts premier overheritage claims
BY JENNY D’ANGER
Fremantle deputy mayor John Dowson has accused premier Colin Barnett of “making false statements” about the heritage value of an old home known as The Cliffe.
He says the premier made “false claims” that when Mark Creasy – a major investor in a company owned by Mr Barnett’s son – bought The Cliffe it wasn’t registered.
“The truth is when Mr Creasy bought the place in 1995 [it] had already been listed by the National Trust in 1984 and listed on the National Estate in 1992.
"More significantly, a Conservation Order, stop work in nature, and something rarely used, was issued by the heritage council on 3 July 1995 to provide protection… Mr Creasy did not become owner of the place until 17 July 1995.”
A 2001 state interim listing was made permanent in 2005 before the Peppermint Grove home’s removal from the WA heritage register by former Labor minister Michelle Roberts.
Mr Barnett, whose Cottesloe electorate includes North Frematle, has been embroiled in controversy all week over his alleged role in getting The Cliffe removed from the register, clearing a path for its demolition.
Cr Dowson says the premier is also peddling a line the home is falling apart when experts tell a different story.
Mr Barnett last week told ABC listeners, ‘it’s dilapidated, the place is a wreck”, “despite the latest assessment of the place done for the Shire of Peppermint Grove which concludes the place is of ‘exceptional significance’, “ Cr Dowson said.
“There is no higher level of significance available to heritage experts doing assessments.
“We have enough problems in this state protecting our history without the premier continuing to make false statements.”
Mr Barnet’s office declined to comments.
