Synagogue owner signals dissent

by Tamar Kennedy

April 14, 2008

THE owner of Fremantle’s synagogue building, Roger McKimm, has asked Fremantle Council to approve his latest sign commenting on the progress of his stalled development plans.

“If Mr McKimm is saying that he wants to apply for a sign about the development application of the synagogue, he’s got the right to apply for a sign and he’s got the democratic right to protest,” Fremantle deputy mayor John Dowson told eMU News. “The key point is that Mr McKimm is proposing something very damaging to the area.”

“He’s saying that he has been badly done by, but if this development goes ahead it will be Fremantle that is badly done by.”

The derelict former synagogue is located on the corner of Parry Street and South Terrace, within a heritage buffer zone for soon-to-be world heritage listed Fremantle Prison. 

Mr McKimm recently contested in the State Administrative Tribunal the council’s refusal of his bid to build a Federation-style four story building behind the limestone structure. The extension would have contained five short-term accommodation units, offices and a restaurant.

Protesting the refusal, a variety of controversial signs drawing attention to Cr Dowson’s and mayor Peter Tagliaferri’s opposition to the proposal have been erected on the synagogue’s walls and windows.

City staffers have recommended the council planning committee at its April 16 meeting refuse Mr McKimm’s bid for a new sign. The officers say his application lacks sufficient detail about the sign’s design.

Mr McKimm declined to comment.