The City of Fremantle council has voted to back H-U’s proposal to redevelop the Elders Wool Stores, despite the local government officers recommending the $110 million plan be refused.
The City of Fremantle council has voted to back H-U’s proposal to redevelop the Elders Wool Stores, despite the local government officers recommending the $110 million plan be refused.
Adrian Fini-led H-U proposes to restore the Elders Wool Stores building on Cantonment Street, planning to construct 213 dwellings across seven storeys.
The proposal will be decided by a development assessment panel, but has come to Fremantle council for the local government to provide its recommendation.
The city officers have recommended for the proposal to be refused because of the potential loss of the heritage fabric of the 1927 building and its 1950s façade.
Three levels will be constructed on top of the four-storey building, to house 33 boutique apartments, including three penthouses, and 174 co-living modelled units.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge’s alternative motion to recommend the DAP approve the plan was unanimously backed by her fellow councillors at a meeting last night.
Ms Fitzhardinge also called out the upcoming reforms to the state’s planning regulations, particularly for responsible authority reports to be prepared by the local government chief executive or an officer.
“This is not the end of the planning approval process – it needs to go to the DAP meeting,” Ms Fitzhardinge said at the council meeting.
“Councils will no longer have a role in sending things to DAP, it would go straight from officers to the DAP.
“In this instance, it would’ve been a different recommendation that went forward to the DAP.
“We think it’s hugely important for the local community to have a say in these matters.
“It’s bittersweet tonight to have something on the screen that we have collaborated on …as of May we will no longer have that ability.”
Fremantle Chamber of Commerce chief executive Chrissie Maus spoke in support of the mayor’s motion to put forward a recommendation to approve H-U’s plan.
Ms Maus said the officer’s recommendation of refusal would be a significant setback for Fremantle’s future.
“It also sends a negative message to other potential developers,” she said at the meeting.
“The Elders Wool Stores site has been far too long an eyesore.
“It’s a building that crew ship passengers see upon arriving to Fremantle Port. So it’s now not just an eyesore, but a massive missed opportunity.”
