Development strategy for Fremantle unveiled

12/1/94

Planning Minister Richard Lewis today unveiled plans outlining the future growth of Fremantle - which would also see a major facelift for parts of the historic port town.

Mr Lewis said the Fremantle Regional Strategy - a State Government initiative - identified areas for future housing, port planning, transport and tourism development.

The strategy also outlined measures aimed at cleaning up the North Fremantle area, including the removal of fuel storage tanks from Leighton and Port beaches.

"While Fremantle has witnessed increased popularity and extensive rejuvenation in parts over recent years, there has remained unrealised development potential," Mr Lewis said.

"Over the past ten years there have been about 20 separate studies undertaken in Fremantle that have either not been finalised or have not been implemented by past governments.

"Where the previous Government failed, this Government has taken the initiative and produced an overall planning vision that will help balance Fremantle's regional role and its local needs."

Mr Lewis said the plan focussed heavily on the residential, recreational and tourism potential of the region, particularly in North Fremantle.

He said Port and Leighton beaches, the Anchorage Site and the Leighton Peninsula were areas that had been sadly neglected by previous governments.

"The stretch of coastline along Port Beach Road has to be one of the most neglected in the metropolitan area and is long overdue for a facelift," he said.

Mr Lewis said the key to rejuvenating these areas were recommendations to remove the fuel storage tanks from Port and Leighton beaches and the construction of a new freight rail loop which would see the closure of the Leighton marshalling yards.

This would allow the Leighton Peninsula to be redeveloped for medium density housing and a possible tourist development, set back from the beach.

"The report provides a sensible, planned approach to the future needs of the port and its related activities, while at the same time recognising the immense residential and recreational potential that can occur if these areas are transformed," Mr Lewis said.

He said the report also addressed the need to conserve Fremantle's unique environmental features through a proposed upgrading of Leighton and Port beaches and the creation of a special Leighton Peninsula Park linked with Buckland Hill.

The Fremantle Regional Strategy was prepared by the Fremantle Planning Taskforce with input from the Fremantle City Council, a range of State Government agencies and the community, through a series of public workshops.

The draft report is open to public comment until at least the end of February and copies are available from the Department of Planning and Urban Development and the City of Fremantle.

Media contact:  Paul Plowman 222 9595 : 221 1377