A plan to build an affordable housing and arts precinct in Fremantle is one step closer to fruition as a development panel approves the $95 million proposal.
The Metro Inner-South Joint Development Assessment Panel unanimously approved at its meeting today the state’s Housing Authority’s proposal for a Fremantle precinct, in line with WA Planning Commission’s recommendation.
The development application, lodged by element on behalf of the applicant, proposes a mixed-use development comprising of nine townhouses and four buildings.
The complex would have 268 apartments, with 25 per cent of the dwellings to be built to accommodate those with disabilities.
Fremantle councillor Rachel Pemberton said she was pleased with the application due to the reassurance of affordable housing components.
“Fremantle has lost a lot of its public housing and it’s become an expensive place to live,” she said.
Hillam Architects principal David Hillam said due to the significant number of buildings in one site, they were keen to not have a homogeneous style.
“Each building has its particular scene that relates to Fremantle,” he said.
The proposed building designs vary from being a reflection of the nearby warehouses with finer steel detail to being focused on bricks and softer materials including limestone.
The plans also included a gym, two cafes, a communal dining area, two multi-storey car parks and an arts precinct comprising of a community arts hub, artists’ studios, a makerspace and an amphitheater.
Mr Hillam said the arts plaza or precinct would be a “very central element” of the project.
A pathway named Finnerty Lane, dubbed by Mr Hillam as a “highly palatable pedestrian experience”, will enable pedestrians to walk from the back of George Street to the centre of Fremantle.
The community had raised concerns about the parking, particularly with the plans having a visitor parking shortfall of up to 100 bays.
Fremantle councillor Andrew Sullivan's amendments to the application includes a condition to have more than 100 parking bays for commercial tenancies with a majority of them to be for visitor use.
JDAP presiding member Clayton Higham agreed that there should be more parking in place.
"I think there appears to be a lot of willingness to sort these thing out to, what I'm sure will be, the best outcome," he said.
"Whether or not that additional or street parking is (possible) ... I’m prepared to support the proposal with all those changes to the conditions because I think it's a project really worth of pursuing."
The development is earmarked for a 1.37-hectare vacant site across six lots on Burt Street, Fremantle.
A three-storey development and community centre previously on the site, spearheaded by WA’s housing commission in the 1970s, was demolished between 2011 and 2017.
