by BRENDAN FOSTER

ARTISTS at the J-shed on Victoria Quay have been told point blank they will not get long-term commercial leases.

In an provocative email to photographer Peter Zuvela, Fremantle councillor Tim Grey-Smith said they’ll only get short-term leases and will then have to fight for them on the open market every time they expire. The lessees will have to prove to the council that they’ve “performed” well enough to be in with a chance of a renewal.

Cr Grey-Smith told Zuvela if the “commercial lease aspect is a deal breaker then in the politest possible way, I suggest a different location for the businesses in question might be prudent”.

The only commercial lease would go to a bar/cafe the council plans for a glass-fronted studio facing Bathers Bay.

Zuvela said he was “very disappointed” and “angry” with not getting a longer-term commercial lease.

The freelance snapper, based at the J-shed for 18 years, said the first he knew about the new lease arrangement was Cr Grey-Smith’s blunt email.

“We had the understanding council would stick to good business sense and offer us five years, plus another option of five,” he told the Herald.

“It will undermine business confidence and investment in the West End,” he said. “Tenure is crucial to contribute to the area.”

Zuvela wouldn’t comment on whether the offer would see them move out.

Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt said having performance-based leases would stop some artists using the studios as storerooms.

“The classic example is the glass end, which was under-utilised and for years it was left empty,” he said.

“We want to promote an active arts precinct and we don’t want what we had before where places were locked up and not used.

“That’s why we think artists like Greg James would be the perfect fit.”

Fremantle Society boss Roel Loopers said the “revolving door leases” wouldn’t encourage professional artists.

“I can understand council’s sentiment because it wants to revitalise Arthurs Head, but I personally think offering short-term leases won’t revitalise Arthurs Head,” he said.

“You will end up with Sunday painters and semi-professionals.”

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce boss Tim Milson said the lease situation “was a difficult one”.

“The artists absolutely contribute to the area, so we wouldn’t like to lose artists like Greg James and Jenny (Dawson),” he said. “But my understanding is council is trying to make it a better area for the whole of Fremantle.”