Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has launched the next phase of public consultation on development proposals for boat harbours in the City of Fremantle, with three plans being drawn up by a Government-sponsored steering committee.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan has launched the next phase of public consultation on development proposals for boat harbours in the City of Fremantle, with three plans being drawn up by a Government-sponsored steering committee.
The full text of an announcement from the Minister's office is pasted below
The transformation and expansion of Challenger Boat Harbour - introducing a waterfront residential village and extensive parklands linked to Fremantle's city centre -is one of the dynamic proposals for the development of the city's boat harbour precinct.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today that three separate scenarios for the harbour precinct had been prepared and were designed to reinforce and enhance the unique character of this important part of Fremantle.
The scenarios were developed through the work of a Government-sponsored steering committee, which comprised representatives from the local fishing industry, City of Fremantle, Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, Fremantle Sailing Club, tourism industry and the State Government.
The Minister was launching the next consultation phase in the formulation of a new policy to guide the development of Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour and Challenger and Success boat harbours over the next 30 years.
"The aim is to provide a long-term plan to ensure the boat harbour precinct is developed to its full potential and that the future needs of the growing variety of users are met," Ms MacTiernan said.
"At the same time, we must retain the working elements of the Fishing Boat Harbour and protect Fremantle's unique fishing heritage."
The Fremantle Boat Harbours Policy concentrates on Fremantle's Fishing Boat Harbour and Challenger and Success boat harbours.
The Minister said community comment was now being sought in relation to the three scenarios and feedback would be used to prepare the final Fremantle Boat Harbours Policy, which will be considered by the Western Australian Planning Commission.
"To assist people in providing feedback, the Department for Planning and Infrastructure is holding a special information day at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour to coincide with the annual Blessing of the Fleet this Sunday, October 21," she said.
"People will be able to view a display, speak to members of the steering committee and officers working on the project and provide comment in relation to the scenarios."
To date, more than 600 people have participated in a community survey and workshops to shape the individual features of the three scenarios.
Ms MacTiernan said the redevelopment of Challenger Boat Harbour with a vibrant mixed use boating, residential and visitor precinct was featured in scenarios one and two.
"The creation of a new 'living' harbour with a festival theme would provide better links between the city centre and the Fishing Boat Harbour and improve Bathers Beach by creating a more sheltered environment for users," she said.
"The new harbour's parkland area would be two-thirds the size of the adjoining Esplanade Park and would give pedestrians easy access to the waterfront.
"Scenario two, which is preferred by the steering committee, also includes the development of an additional harbour and pen space for sailing and recreational vessels.
"The third scenario proposes that the majority of new development occurs on a site on the southern boundary of Success Harbour."
Features common to all three scenarios include:
- Retaining the existing fishing, marine and commercial industry within Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour on Mews Road;
- Development of a boat launching facility on the southern boundary of Success Harbour;
- Creating a central area for marine and commercial industry;
- Retaining Bathers Beach and reinforcing its heritage significance;
- Retaining South Beach as a popular local swimming beach;
- Expansion of mooring facilities catering for between 1,200 and 1,700 vessels and provision of dry boat storage for up to 1,000 vessels;
- Improved vehicle and pedestrian access; and
- Mooring facilities for super yachts enhancing visitor appeal.
