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Concrete

Concrete has been introduced to the complex at various phases of repair and upgrade. The concrete features consist of elements within the landscaping such as paving slabs, garden edging and retaining walls. They also include floor and verandah slabs.


Concrete products that were manufactured in Concrete Industries at Fremantle Prison should be maintained on site and interpreted if possible, e.g. flower pots, patterned paving in vegetable gardens etc.


In a number of cases the introduction of concrete is a much later intervention that has occurred within the last forty years. On this basis slabs to verandahs and floors should be removed and the traditional flooring reinstated.

SPECIFIC POLICY 10: Where concrete slabs are having a direct impact on convict fabric it should be removed, and the original material reinstated. Reinstatement of new materials should be informed by physical evidence and not based on conjecture.

SPECIFIC ACTION 8: Remove the concrete slab floor from the Main Cell Block. This would result in uncovering the original Yorkshire flagstone floor. This semi-morphographic sandstone shows signs of salt attack and other decay patterns as a result of the concrete slab laid over the floor. Yorkshire flagstones are readily available to enable repairs and replacement of sections of floor that are missing and severely damaged.

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SPECIFIC ACTION 9: Remove ground floor verandah slabs. It is assumed that the original verandah floors were timber. However, before any slabs are removed, confirm this through historical research then accurately reinstate.

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SPECIFIC ACTION 10: Consider the installation of a more permeable paving treatment to the entry forecourt area. The paving slab in the entry forecourt was installed in late 2008. Prior to this the landscape treatment was asphalt. In the long-term the slab is likely to exacerbate any underlying salt attack problems that may exist.

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