Decision to rip up bell tower pavers strikes a painful nerve

Former students from Rockingham and Peel are disappointed their place in WA’s history — thought to be cemented — is being ripped up.

The removal of tiles with the signatures of more than 200,000 school children at Perth’s Bell Tower has been labelled “utterly disgusting”.

The tiles were laid as part of the Bell Tower’s construction in 1999 and are being removed to make way for the Elizabeth Quay redevelopment.

By Friday last week, about 25 per cent of the tiles had been broken as attempts to lift them intact failed.

It is understood photographs were taken of the tiles and copies will be sent to schools which participated.

Baldivis woman Ally Buffey said the removal of the tiles was “utterly disgusting”.

“I’m sure there will be many signatures on those pavers (of people) who have since passed and seeing them provides loved ones with comfort and a good memory attached,” she said.

The Barrack Street foreshore will be the site of a $20 million redevelopment as part of the State Government’s $2.6 billion project.

Rockingham MLA Mark McGowan said the Government had made an appalling decision. “This is an insult to the children who signed their names and thought their signatures would be preserved and protected in perpetuity,” Mr McGowan said.

“More disturbing are reports that signatures of children who have passed away have been destroyed.

“It’s obvious that no attempt was made to preserve the signatures and taking photos of the signatures was only an afterthought.”