Why Perth locals are covering this fence in dirty socks
A quirky sock-covered fence has become the latest symbol of community frustration in North Perth, as locals ramp up their protest against the controversial 24/7 service station proposed for Angove Street.
Dozens of dirty socks cover the fence of the unused site at 41-43 Angove Street, a peaceful but meaningful protest aimed at the proposed development of a 24-hour petrol station by South Australian-based company On the Run.
City of Vincent mayor Alison Xamon said that the protest is a non-violent direct action by community members in protest of an inappropriate proposal.
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'The community is fed up and frustrated that their legitimate concerns are not being heeded, and this is a creative way to get their message across. It is obviously getting to the proponents, which is why they keep sending people out to take the socks down,' she said. The proposed location is within 50m of North Perth Primary School. Credit: Supplied
Ms Xamon described the street as a 'well-loved and popular pedestrian-friendly hub' with an abundance of shops, cafes and restaurants.
'It is not a suitable location for a 24/7 service station,' she said.
Sally Baker, North Perth resident and member of the local campaign Stop The Station, said the fight had been going on for two years.
'We just want the community to know we're still fighting, so we did the dirty socks to raise awareness that it's ongoing and we're not stopping,' she said.
'OTR want it to be like Bunnings — completely take over. Their main thing is 24/7 service with a convenience store that actually makes more money than the petrol.'
She also shared health concerns residents have due to the proximity to North Perth Primary School and many homes.
'There's proven research that benzene is in the air around petrol stations and we're all going to suffer,' Ms Baker said.
'The EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) recommends 100m from sensitive land uses, but this is just 50m from the primary school. Local campaigners outside the site on Angove Street. Credit: Facebook / Stop the Station
'My apartment block butts up against the site, like 5m. The risk of cancer, especially leukaemia in children, doubles when living close to service stations. That's a fact.'
The group has organised a petition, protests and letter drops to raise awareness and now waits anxiously for an outcome from the State Administrative Tribunal.
The petition currently has more than 1060 signatures.
Ms Baker said that a community development, such a cafe with apartments, would be a more suitable option for the area.
'Even something like Chinta would be great,' she said.
OTR purchased the site for $3.25 million in 2021.
In May 2023 a development application submitted to the Metro-Inner City Joint Development Assessment Panel was rejected and then appealed by the applicant. Dozens of dirty socks cover the fence of the unused site at 41-43 Angove Street, Credit: Supplied
'Our Local Planning Scheme No. 2 also prohibits new service stations from being built in residential, mixed-use and centre zones, including the North Perth town centre,' Ms Xamon said.
At the time Ms Xamon said there were already 24/7 petrol stations in the area so there was 'no need for another one in the heart of Angove Street'.
'This has been a controversial issue for a number of years now and we have made it clear that we do not want a service station operating on the vacant site,' she said at the time.
Ms Xamon said that the city would 'continue to defend council's decision and represent the community's concerns on a proposed service station operating in the heart of the town centre at future SAT meetings'.
PerthNow reached out to OTR but did not receive a response.
A mediation meeting between OTR and the DAP is scheduled on June 27 and a preliminary hearing on July 22 and 23.
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