Future of Fremantle Frequently Asked Questions

The Future of Fremantle project has been engaging with community and other key stakeholders to develop a long-term vision (50+ years) for the future redevelopment of the Fremantle | Walyalup Inner Harbour port precinct.

Future of Fremantle is closely connected to the State Government’s Westport planning program to relocate container trade from Fremantle to Kwinana. Removing trade from the Port of Fremantle while retaining its status as a working port for cruise, visiting naval and recreational vessels, will unlock 260 hectares of prime inner urban land in Fremantle to support WA’s growing population.

The project area consists of more than 260 hectares of land (370 hectares including waterways) and approximately 10 kilometres of ocean and river waterfront. It encompasses Victoria Quay, North Quay, Rous Head and North Fremantle land situated north of Tydeman Road, between the Fremantle passenger line and coast. 

After the relocation of trades, the Fremantle Port would continue to operate berths and maritime services for visiting cruise and naval ships, and local ferry operators.

The 260 hectares of inner-harbour land previously used for freight services will be available to be redeveloped for other uses.  The scale of this redevelopment opportunity is significant by national and global standards and provides a rare opportunity to diversify the local economy and jobs, and provide housing for WA’s growing population, while complementing and building on Fremantle’s unique appeal and lifestyle.

The staging of future redevelopment of the Fremantle | Walyalup inner harbour port precinct will be informed by Government investment decisions and timing for the relocation of container and non-container trades.  

Westport will deliver a business case, including recommended timeframes for the new Kwinana port and supply chain to the State Government for consideration during the latter half of 2024.

The Western Australian Planning Commission’s Future of Fremantle Planning Committee was responsible for leading the Future of Fremantle project. The Committee’s work was supported by:

• an Aboriginal Reference Group
• a Project Reference Group
• the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage
• Strategic Advisor, Nicole Lockwood
• a multi-disciplinary consultant team
• cultural advisory consultants.

It also draws on the expertise and perspectives of members of the community and stakeholders with a long-standing interest, knowledge and involvement in the area.

The Committee has no planning decision-making powers. Its role is to consider strategic land use planning and identify future economic opportunities for the Inner Harbour precinct. It will operate until approximately mid-2024.

The 13-member committee was chaired by Western Australian Planning Commission board member and experienced urban planner Jane Bennett, with relevant expertise from key Government agencies and community representatives.

• Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) – David Caddy
• State Member for Fremantle – Simone McGurk MLA
• City of Fremantle – Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge
• Whadjuk Noongar Representative – Freda Ogilvie
• Fremantle community representative – George Kailis
• Fremantle Chamber of Commerce – Pete Adams
• Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage – Damien Martin
• Fremantle Port Authority – Chris Sutherland
• Westport – Patrick Seares
• Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation – Marzia Zamir
• Department of Transport – Justin McKirdy
• Tourism Western Australia – Renata Lowe

The Aboriginal Reference Group members were as follows:

• Mr Joe Collard
• Mr Greg Ugle
• Ms Geri Hayden
• Ms Doreen Nelson
• Dr Gerrard Shaw
• Ms Sharon Calgaret

The Project Reference Group members were as follows:

• State Member for Bicton – Lisa O’Malley MLA
• Fremantle community representatives – Danielle Cattalini and Dr Jennie Gray
• North Fremantle Community Association – Ann Forma
• Property Council of WA – Sandra Brewer
• Heritage Council of WA – Alan Kelsall
• Government Architect – Chris Melsom
• Development WA – Bill Adlam
• Public Transport Authority – Michael Parker
• Main Roads WA – Douglas Morgan

The Future of Fremantle project was conducted in three phases, culminating in the preparation of a recommended Place and Economic Vision that will be presented to the State Government for consideration during the second half of 2024:

• Phase 1 Place and Economic Directions, comprising technical investigations, case study research, and preliminary engagement.
• Phase 2 Visioning and Preliminary Scenarios, comprising collaborative visioning, modelling and design, including community consultation and feedback.
• Phase 3 Preparation of draft Place and Economic Vision for the consideration of the State Government.

Considerable consultation was undertaken throughout 2023, including:

• a visioning day, attended by more than 350 people
• two Place Design Forums, over six days, with more than 300 participants
• two Aboriginal Elders workshops (each attended by approximately 80 Elders)
• Focus groups and youth forums (approximately 100 participants)

In all, the process involvement more than 1,000 stakeholders and over 150 hours of active engagement.

In addition, further consultation has been carried out with technical experts and representatives of local government and State Government agencies, and business and community leaders, to inform the development of the emerging vision.

A community survey for public consultation has closed on Monday 15 January 2024 which asked community to provide feedback for the emerging vision and three different land use and economic scenarios. 

The emerging vision aims to capture and reflect community values and aspirations for the future redevelopment of the port precinct. It includes a draft aspirational vision statement supported by the below six goals:

• Grow an economy of the future
• Reflects Freo’s | Walyalup’s character
• Walkable and well connected
• Diverse and healthy
• Celebrates Aboriginal culture
• Reconnect to land and water

For more information about the emerging vision and three scenarios, see (link to information pack).

During the second half of 2024 the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage will present to Government a recommended Place and Economic Vision for the future redevelopment of the Fremantle Inner Harbour precinct.

The Vision will provide a high-level framework for a 50+ year planning horizon reflecting the views, ideas and opinions expressed through the engagement process and findings of various technical studies, modelling and investigations.

Accompanying the Vision will be advice to Government that enables decisions on Future of Fremantle to be coordinated and aligned with Westport and other major State projects.