The controversial $200 million Victoria Quay redevelopment in Fremantle is a step closer today following the lodging of a development application with the Western Australian Planning Commission by the City of Fremantle.
The controversial $200 million Victoria Quay redevelopment in Fremantle is a step closer today following the lodging of a development application with the Western Australian Planning Commission by the City of Fremantle.
Fremantle Ports and developer ING are proposing two contemporary-styled office buildings for the site comprising 14,000 square metres of space in addition to 12,000sq m of retail, restaurant and café space.
The plan was chosen over an option to create three office buildings on the site, which was the least preferred option of a community workshop held in November 2006.
Fremantle ports chief executive Kerry Sanderson said the new office accommodation would help to reverse the 10-year decline in the city's commercial floor space.
"Fremantle is the only regional centre to have experienced a decline, despite being the largest such centre in the metropolitan area," she said.
Ms Sanderson said up to 1050 permanent jobs could be created by the plan, which was also estimated to increase the city's annual retail turnover by $81 million net.
An estimated $12 million will be spent on restoration, re-use and interpretation of heritage buildings at the quay including C Shed, she said.
The WAPC is expected to reach a decision on the plan in August with construction not likely to start until mid-2008.
The full text of a Fremantle Ports announcement is pasted below
An exciting, contemporary, world-class $200 million waterfront development is proposed for the western end of Victoria Quay by Fremantle Ports and developer ING Real Estate.
Following extensive community and stakeholder consultation, a development application has been lodged with the Western Australian Planning Commission via the City of Fremantle.
The Victoria Quay Commercial Precinct development features retail, offices, cafes, restaurants and public open space, easy pedestrian access and connectivity to the Fremantle CBD, and restoration of significant heritage buildings.
Fremantle Ports Chief Executive Officer Kerry Sanderson said that the proposal showed how cutting-edge design, revitalised heritage buildings, transit-oriented development and people-friendly public open space could work together in a unique environment.
"The aim is to provide a vibrant area that will enhance the city's physical relationship with the working port, and embrace its rich maritime and social history," she said.
"As well as retail and leisure experiences, it will provide new, high-quality office accommodation that Fremantle needs to reverse the 10-year decline in the city's commercial floor space.
"Fremantle is the only regional centre to have experienced such a decline, despite being the largest such centre in the metropolitan area.
"More than 1000 permanent jobs will also mean opportunities for Fremantle people to work locally and will bring other workers into the Fremantle CBD with disposable income."
Kerry Sanderson said the development would revitalise an area that was underused and uninviting, allowing more people to experience the excitement of a working port.
"It is hoped that the new development in this waterfront setting, with outstanding views of shipping and harbour activities, will become a magnet for locals and visitors," she said.
"At the heart of the development will be a large public open square that will provide a sheltered, central gathering space for entertainment and events, and a place to sit and appreciate the rich and diverse character of the harbour.
"Every day, 24 hours a day, the port provides industrial theatre and this waterfront development will be a superb platform from which to appreciate it."
The $200 million waterfront development will deliver:
- a well-integrated work, tourism and leisure centre for Fremantle
- much-improved connectivity between the city and the port
- outstanding opportunities for business, including 14,000m2 of A grade office space
- new attractions for tourism and leisure, including 12,000m2 of quality retail, restaurants and cafes
- an estimated $12 million spent on restoration, re-use and interpretation of four heritage buildings (C Shed, the former immigration building, the amenities building and toilet block)
- new opportunities for Fremantle retailers and businesses, and brand name retailers and office tenants not currently in Fremantle
- an estimated net $81 million increase in the city's annual retail turnover
- new property rates income for the City of Fremantle
- up to 1050 permanent jobs
- new benchmarks for environmental sustainability in Fremantle
- transit-oriented development advantages, with trains, buses, the CAT bus and ferries immediately adjacent
- an estimated two million additional visitors to Fremantle each year
- a new car park on the periphery of the city accessible through Gate 2 at the port's eastern end.
The Commercial Precinct is the next stage of the Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan, which was developed through extensive community consultation and adopted by the State Government in 2000.
Initiatives under the Masterplan already undertaken include the new Maritime Museum, O'Connor Ferry Landing, the new Challenger TAFE building in the Slip Street Precinct and realignment of Victoria Quay Road.
Kerry Sanderson said the proposal delivered key features identified in the Masterplan, such as the need for a landmark entry statement, pedestrian links between the city and the waterfront, and integrated buildings with professional and commercial offices at upper levels and retail, cafes and public uses at ground level.
She said the proposal also followed the historic layout of the quay, conserving and adapting four significant heritage structures.
"As these heritage buildings will flank a new attractive public square, community access and engagement with the port's heritage will be strengthened.
"The community will be able to enjoy C Shed's waterside position and views of the working port through restaurants, a tavern, food outlets and fashion retail."
As part of the WA Planning Commission's assessment of the development application, advice will be sought from the Heritage Council of WA.
Kerry Sanderson said the development proposal had been shaped to a significant extent by extensive community consultation undertaken by ING and Fremantle Ports.
"Consultation in early 2006 on the initial development proposals highlighted concerns over the height, bulk and scale of the proposed development and the need to preserve important view corridors from the city to the port.
"On the basis of this important feedback, two revised design options were prepared which significantly reduced the amount of office accommodation, allowing for a reduction in the height and mass of the overall development.
"Participants at a community workshop in November 2006 clearly preferred a contemporary-style option with two, not three, office buildings.
"The development proposal is based on this preferred option with one of the office buildings rotated to further open up view corridors from the city to the port."
A scale model of the proposal can be viewed at the City of Fremantle offices when the building is advertised for public comment. Information is also available on Fremantle Ports' website.