Coogee Beach is known as one of the last metropolitan undisturbed beaches south of Fremantle, or at least was one before development encroached closer and closer. Thankfully there are, up to today, no skyscrapers or houses close to the waters edge. The setback is far greater than in other suburbs. The closest building to the waterline is the derelict former Power House.
Coming from Spearwood, I looked for King Road from which, I knew from previous visits, would lead me to the Rotary Lookout, built in 1976 by the Community Association with help of the City of Cockburn. One of the reasons to build the elevated outlook was to enable handicapped people to have a view at Coogee Beach. Just before the highest point of the small road is a tiny parking area, from where a steep concrete path leads to the observation platform.
Looking over the stone balustrade towards the ocean was a bit disappointing to me. It was mid-morning and the cloud cover had transformed the normally beautiful blue water into a greyish colour. The sea was calm and showed no signs of boat activity apart from two larger vessels moving slowly from south to north. The slight haze didn't give me a clear view over the distant two islands. The trees, bushes and small dunes didn't allow me to have a look at the sandy beachfront either.
In front of me people had built three ugly square houses, I think should be better named industrial concrete sheds, at least from my point of view. Further down the hill I could see more appropriate developments of double and then single stories. Further towards the sea I saw cars and trucks rushing along the newly aligned Cockburn Rd. More to the South I saw the north-side of the western stretch of Woodman Point that ends as a white tip in the Cockburn Sound. On my right are a number of older style houses nestled among trees and bushes.
To the south of the Power House is the development of Port Coogee in progress extending over the seabed with boat pens, a millionaire's playground, very risky in our time of climate change with rising water levels.
Altogether I was a little disappointed, the old enjoyable atmosphere has gone.
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3 comments:
Bert, I liked your story best when you were describing the sea.
great story bert.
I'm proud to read your comments.
Hope it will entice others to join the Writers' Group. This shows that you don't have to be an expert in language and writing to become a member of the group.
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