Left: Ron Ingram and Cathy Harrison of the Kooweerup Newsagency check out the
By Melissa Grant
KOOWEERUP’S shopping strip has a striking new look.
Traders and residents have welcomed changes to the town’s streetscape that feature the swamp’s famous blackfish symbol.
The final stage of pavement improvements are finally finished, while new bins and seating will be installed this month.
Kooweerup Newsagency owner Lynette Ingram said the blackfish pavement inserts spiced up the streetscape.
“They look great – they really set off the whole thing,” she said.
Kooweerup township committee chairman Ray Brown also welcomed the improvements.
“It will be nice to get it finished, it’s been a long time coming,” he said. “It’s looking good actually.”
Blackfish motifs that symbolise the indigenous meaning of Kooweerup are featured in the streetscape along the length of Station Street to Moody Street.
Earlier pavement improvements were completed in 2004 and 2007, but the final 110 metres was constructed recently after the Federal Government provided $95,000 under its regional and local community infrastructure program.
Port Ward councillor Stuart Halligan said the streetscape was looking more attractive and was pleased it embedded the earliest history of the region.
The word “Ku-wirup” is believed to mean “plenty of blackfish” or “blackfish swimming” in the language of the Bunurong Aboriginal people.
“It’s an upgrade to an important community hub that will make shopping, socialising and doing business in Kooweerup more pleasant,” Cr Halligan said.
Mr Brown said members of the township committee were now rallying the Department of Infrastructure to install a toilet at the town bus shelter.
fish-inspired streetscape. 37506
Picture: Luke Plummer
