West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Saturday 11 December 1937, page 25


RIVERSIDE DRIVE. South Perth Section Opened. The hope that the time would not be far distant when a foreshore drive on both sides of the Swan River between Perth and Fremantle was an accom plished fact was expressed by the Min ister for Works (Mr. H. Millington) when declaring open the section of Riverside drive between Mill Point and South terrace, South Perth, yesterday morning. The construction of this section was completed a few days ago at a cost to the South Perth Road Board of about £2,700 and to the Government, for sus tenance labour, of £1,140. The Minister and about 30 other guests of the chairman (Mr. G. V. Abjornson) and members of the South Perth Road Board met at the road board hall at 11 am. and, after inspecting the bridge

Members of the official party inspect-ing the old Mill.

being erected at Canning Bridge, the new drive, the Old Mill and Miller's Pool, returned to the hall, where a social func tion was held. Among those present were Mr. A. Clydesdale, M.L.C., Mr. C. Cross, M.L.A., the Lord Mayor Perth (Mr. C. Harper) and councillors of the Perth City Council, departmental officlals, re presentatives of other local authorities and South Perth citizens. Reclamation Plan Desired. Mr. Abjornson said that the foreshore work in the vicinity of the new road cost the board £7,300, including £4,000 for the erection of the retaining wall and £3,300 for filling. The board bad also spent £500 on planting the foreshore with couch grass. It was grateful to the Government for its assistance in build ing the new road. Some time ago a conference of local governing bodies was held when it was agreed unanimously that a plan and policy for the extension of reclamation work along the Swan and Canning River foreshores were desirable. Local authorities were at present work ing in a piecemeal fashion, which was unsatisfactory to everyone concerned. They had many difficulties with which to contend, and had to ask the Govern ment for plant and equipment. If a plan were prepared the dredge Stirling could be kept continuously at work, and no doubt local authorities would be pre pared to make available more money for the work. Speaking of the algae problem, Mr. Abjornson said that the work of remov ing this weed from its foreshores last year cost the board £100. This board was practically the only local authority af fected with the weed and he desired Government assistance to combat the nuisance. The district had a lee-wind shore three miles long and a great deal of algae was washed across the river from flats at Applecross and Point Walter. The shore in the vicinity of the Mends-street ferry was,an objectionable spot in the district and he urged that the Government take action to remedy the position. "An Important Step Forward." Mr. Millington said that when River side-drive was completed on both sides of the Swan and Canning Rivers, it would challenge similar roadways in any part of the world for picturesqueness and

Oficial and private cars traversing te full length of the new South Perth Riverside-drive after the official opening by the Minister for Works (Mr. H. Millington) yesterday.

scenic beauty. The opening of this sec tion marked an important step forward towards this desirable result, besides adding to the convenience of ratepayers and the enchantment of a suburb already richly endowed with natural charm. Even when Nature was lavish in her gifts, she usually left something to the ingenuity and labour of man, and South Perth was no exception. The road board and staff were to be complimented on their faith in the district and on the full realisation of their obligations to the citizens. Their achievements proved they were in sym pathy with whatever contributed to the welfare of the ratepayers. Speaking of the foreshore near the Mends-street jetty, Mr. Millington said this was 'an area which should be re claimed immediately. He did not know! whether the Director of Works (Mr. E. Tindale) could find the money for the work, but the foreshore was at present in a disgraceful and unhealthy condi tion. It was an urgent work and all other works had better stand in abeyance for a while. Numerous toasts were honoured and many other matters of interest to South Perth were discussed.