Scarborough: Battle to make beachside hotspot safe after bloody brawl that could leave man without an eye
A 32-year-old man may lose an eye after he was allegedly glassed by another while on the dancefloor at Oceans 6019 bar in Scarborough on the long weekend.
Scarborough officer-in-charge Craig Wanstall told PerthNow this week Mirrabooka detectives were still investigating a fight that erupted inside the bar about 9pm on Saturday.
Police allege a 39-year-old man punched the 32-year-old victim to the face while holding a glass in his hand.
The victim suffered facial lacerations which required surgery at Royal Perth Hospital and he may suffer loss of the eye or his vision, with further testing to confirm the outcome.
The 39-year-old man sustained significant cuts to his right hand which resulted in arterial bleeding. No charges had been laid ahead of PerthNow going to print on Wednesday.
The incident came just days before it was revealed Scarborough, along with other coastal hot spots Hillarys and Fremantle, would join Perth, Northbridge and Mandurah as zones where thugs convicted of violent attacks would be banned.
The State Government is bringing in the legislation, which includes giving police the power to issue “exclusion orders” from the areas to be known as Protected Entertainment Precincts, in the latest attempt to stop violence in the popular nightspots.
The weekend’s assault at Scarborough also came just a day after the City of Stirling made two positive announcements for the beachfront: a new mural and a partial street closure to enhance pedestrian safety.
Work started on the mural this week. Art by Row — aka Adam Cicanese — has been commissioned to paint ‘Scarborough Beach is OK!’ on the side of the Scarboro Surf Life Saving Club.
The mural, in the artist’s graffiti style and taking inspiration from the sunset, will front an empty lot for up to three years or until development takes place.
The mural is thanks to a partnership between Perth is OK!, the Town Team Movement, Scarborough Beach Association and the City of Stirling. Perth is OK! is funding the ephemeral art after an application from the SBA.
Stirling mayor Mark Irwin said the city looked forward to when the land next to the building leased to SSLSC was developed.
“In the meantime, we welcome the opportunity to partner with the Scarborough Beach Association on this activation project,” he said. “A design workshop with representatives from the City of Stirling, SBA, Scarboro SLSC, Perth is OK! and Town Team Movement has led to a beautiful outcome for the precinct. We look forward to the positive tourism impact this mural will bring to the local businesses in Scarborough.
“Combined with the positive impact of the Groundswell Festival returning in 2022, this bodes well for a vibrant Scarborough in the lead-up to summer.”
Perth is OK! co-founder Luke Whelan said supporting the community was at the heart of everything its team did.
“Much of our team grew up enjoying Scarborough beach and its surrounds, so we’re excited to be able to create a visual activation that bridges the gap between digital and the real world,” he said.
SBA chairman Wayne Bowen said the mural would capture the essence of Scarborough.
“It should be a real eye-catcher for tourists to zone in on and send photos of our great beach around Australia and the world,” he said.
The mural will be completed at the Stirling-sponsored Groundswell Surf and Skate Festival, which starts this Friday.
It will include a QR code to take people to a page showcasing what Scarborough has to offer.
The City of Stirling will also shut off part of the The Esplanade to cars in a trial starting next month. It will close the road from the Clock Tower to The Lookout pub on Sundays from 4pm to 2am from October 30 and on Thursdays from 4pm to 10pm from November 3 until December 11.
The Thursday closure is intended to help the popular Sunset Markets, while the Sunday change aligns with peak times for hospitality venues and upcoming community events.
Mr Irwin said the trial, which could be extended to April, aimed to enhance pedestrian safety and had the support of WA Police and the SBA.
“The City of Stirling and WA Police have been working together closely for several years now and this trial is expected to improve the pedestrian environment for people visiting Scarborough Esplanade during the warmer months,” he said. “Across the world, the temporary closure of short strips of road in hospitality and cultural precincts has been shown to activate streets and enable safer pedestrian movements.
“What will be crucial is that we collect all the data and feedback we can during this trial to inform future decisions of council.”
This closure includes a 130m strip that fronts the Rendezvous Hotel, Cleopatra Scarborough, Dumbo Gelato, The Peach Pit, El Grotto, Cordingley’s Surf, the Galway Hooker and The Lookout.
Access to the precinct via Reserve and Manning streets and Scarborough Beach and Brighton roads will remain in place.
Scarborough’s carparks and the Rendezvous underground carpark will remain open.
