Proponents and supporters of the $200 million Victoria Quay project have been encouraged by the results of a recent survey of residents and visitors to Fremantle.
With a decision from the Western Australian Planning Commission pending on the project, ING Real Estate commissioned the survey of 150 people on the merits of the plan.
ING and Fremantle Port’s scaled-back proposal for two contemporary office buildings comprising 14,000 square metres of space and 12,000sq m of retail, restaurant and cafe space, has strong support from the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, but has had difficulty winning over some sections of the community.
The survey, undertaken by independent market research group Synovate between August 18 and 24, revealed three quarters of people who live, work, shop or study in Fremantle believe the Victoria Quay Commercial Precinct development would be good for the city.
Support was particularly strong among those aged 18 to 24, with 84 per cent of respondents in this category agreeing the new development would bring a much-needed boost to Fremantle’s economy by improving leisure, tourism and job opportunities.
Fremantle Chamber of Commerce president Richard Poulson said it was a good indication that it was time for the old guard to step aside and embrace the future.
“Major changes are needed for Fremantle to improve commercially, socially and culturally and a new development such as Victoria Quay is certainly a step in the right direction,” he said.
Support for the development was particularly high for those living in Fremantle, with 87 per cent of respondents saying the development would be good for Fremantle and 71 per cent of those living outside the area of the same view.
ING Real Estate Development Australia chief executive Greg Boyd said increasing numbers of people were willing to voice their support for the project.
Subject to planning approvals, construction is expected to begin in mid-2008, with the projects scheduled for completion by 2010.
