I consider myself lucky to live in Perth, and after a great ride on this beautiful sunny Saturday, it makes you realise what a clean, pollution free city Perth actually is. Now this vision is one that is easy to keep in your mind as you ride along the cycleways next to the Swan River and gaze over the water and surrounding parklands. Wildlife is everywhere and the water looks clean and fresh as does the bright blue sky over the city.
Now lets look at the other side of things which unfortunately i see most week days, the untidy and embarrassing side of Perth, or the walk of shame as i call it. If you exit the Perth train station and head towards the Art Gallery of WA you start to see a side of Perth you wish was not there. It seems to be a constant vision of rubbish , graffiti and an overall look of complete untidiness.
Most cities take great care of the areas that surround there Art Galleries or Museums, if not only to give a great impression to visitors from interstate or overseas. There is no way to put other than to say this whole precinct is a complete disgrace and an ongoing eyesore. This area is known as the James Street Mall, but lacks any atmosphere or vibrancy on any level.
This just gets worse as you head into Northbridge its self. This part of our great city is literally on the other side of the tracks and as you take a walk around only 3 words constantly cross my mind “What a Disgrace”.
The photo gallery highlights what i mean as i take you on a quick tour. Like the Art Gallery precinct our China Town is such an embarrassing eyesore that when friends visit from overseas and ask “where is your China Town?”, you just cringe and try to move to the next subject. Most countries Ive visited have a fantastic vibrant China Town full of character, atmosphere which attracts people by the masses. I would not take an enemy there now.
How the city councils allow this part of of our great city to get like this is beyond me. This State has economically boomed and what has been spent here from what i can see, sweet nothing!. Oh yes they have laid some new paving here and there, so that’s something i guess.
The best solution would have been to build a new cultural center near the river in a prime position which would have acted as a centerpiece of the city and one to be proud of, unfortunately the perfect spot now has another of Perth’s eyesores taking up this prime position, that being the Perth Convention Centre or as its known by most the Barn. This place is just a large space to flog container shipments of liquidated stock and to hold trade fairs.
In the words of Derryn Hinch, “shame, shame, shame”
Read Article from the west.com.au, that i think sums up the Convention Centre
