IN BRIEF

Work to start on Victoria Quay A START will be made in the first half of 2009 on one of Perth’s most controversial construction projects, the commercial precinct at Victoria Quay overlooking the Fremantle waterfront. Fremantle Ports will hand over the land to developer ING Real Estate early next year. The development will comprise 12,000 square metres of quality retail, restaurants and cafes, 14,000sqm of A-grade commercial office space, a 900-bay multi-level parking station and public open space. ING development manager Grayam Sandover said the project would be a world-class waterfront development forecast to attract some two million additional visitors each year. “It will be the first truly integrated work, tourism and leisure development for Fremantle,” he said. Over the past four years, the proposal has been the subject of intense debate, public meetings, submissions, community consultations and surveys. After the City of Fremantle refused the development application, it was referred to the WA Planning Commission, which granted approval. The city considered legal action, but decided against it. The State Administrative Tribunal granted final approval in May. In August, the city appealed to the then Carpenter Government for support in ensuring the development took into consideration a number of factors, including integration with the city centre, parking issues and that due respect was paid to heritage matters. In addition to the new commercial precinct, B Shed at Victoria Quay is set to be refurbished and developed as a ferry terminal. A public briefing on the future development of the western end of Victoria Quay will be held on Saturday 16 November