The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage is contributing $500,000 to the Arthur Head conservation project.
A matched contribution is being made by the City of Fremantle.
Arthur Head Reserve is a popular visitor attraction and registered heritage place, home to Western Australia’s oldest existing building,
The project will stabilise the Arthur Head cliff face, securing the reserve and protecting the safety of visitors to the area.
Works to be undertaken include reinforcing the western entry to the Whalers Tunnel, constructing a new rock fall canopy at the western entry and extending the retaining wall on the eastern side of Arthur Head.
Constructed in 1830, the Round House (pictured) and its clifftop location are listed in the State Register of Heritage Places and host an estimated 100,000 visitors a year which, combined with the age of the building and coastal location, contribute to wear and tear.
Before becoming a museum and popular tourist attraction, the Round House was used as a prison and holding cell in the State’s colonial justice system.
Minister for Heritage, David Templeman said Fremantle was well known for its heritage sites and the Round House was a popular cultural attraction.
“This investment in stabilisation and maintenance works is critical to ensure our State’s valuable heritage assets are protected and uphold their appeal as tourist destinations,” Mr Templeman said.
“This is one of a number of State Government projects that are creating a pipeline of work for businesses and contractors and generating local job opportunities.”