This project was not previously listed in our planned projects as funding was not expected to be available in the foreseeable future. However, in April 2009 the Australian Government committed $60 million to heritage projects as part of its Jobs Fund economic stimulus package, and sought applications for funding.
As the result of our application Peter Garrett, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, announced on Friday 2 October 2009 that the Australian Government had allocated $1.8 million to Fremantle Prison to restore and conserve the interior of the circulation areas of the Main Cell Block.
Following the approval of funding, the scope of works for this project has been reviewed to ensure the significant heritage values of the building are not compromised; in particular to ensure the rugged used appearance of the Main Cell Block is maintained.
The initial plan was to replace all broken steelwork and paint all surfaces. However, in hindsight, adopting this strategy would severely impact the visitor experience as the Main Cell Block would lose its current appeal as a place of incarceration for some 140 years. As such it was decided to limit the replacement of steelwork by restoring or repairing it where practical. A similar approach was taken to painting - painting only those surfaces where the stonework was being repaired or the existing paint was broken down. All remaining surfaces were washed.
Also as part of the project, the cement floor of 1 Division was removed to reveal the Yorkshire Flagstone flooring, as well as the lime wash removed from the ground floor walls of that Division to reveal the limestone construction.
To address rising damp in the Main Cell Block, an electros system was installed in 3 and 4 Divisions. With the concrete floor removed from 1 Division, the impact of rising damp was addressed.
Restoration works were carried out in all divisions, as well as the Kitchen, Library, Crown Theatre, Commissariat and the area at the rear of the Catholic Chapel. .