Report warns of risks to city retail

A Victorian-style forecourt to replace the bus station and multi-storey parking along Elder Place are part of waterfront development plans to be considered by council.

Mayor Brad Pettitt wants buses moved north-north-east, where empty space near the Captain Munchies overpass can accommodate parking.

He says shifting the buses and transforming the train station precinct will address connectivity between the quay and city centre, something he says is lacking in previous plans.

The new Fremantle Ports plan by CODA, also the urban designers for Kings Square, is a step towards linking the port to the CBD via a widened Queen Street boulevard.

Expected to be considered by council next month, the plans have already raised concerns over the inclusion of Queensgate-like carparks and buildings up to 10 storeys high.

But the development will depend on timing, according to Fremantle’s 2010 retail model plan, which also considered the ill-fated $300 million ING proposal to create 12,400sqm of retail space on the quay.

“There is a significant risk to the existing retail precinct should this level of retailing be developed in this location—at least until retailing in the current precinct is significantly strengthened through the implementation of the retail model plan,” the plan warns.

“[There is] potential for existing retailers to transfer to the new and strong centre, further exacerbating the potential ‘split‘ between Victoria Quay retailing and High Street retailing.”

It says the risk of a fragmentation of retailing is enough to, “warrant extreme caution about the effect of the proposal—at least until the strength of retailing in the CBD is achieved”.

The plan says redevelopment of the Myer/Queensgate sites into a strong retail precinct would provide a traditional “barbell” structure of two precincts pulling traffic between them.

“This would, in turn, result in strong retailing inevitably developing along Queen Street—a clear part of the development of retailing in Fremantle.

“The question of the effect of the proposed retail development comes down to one of timing and should precede major retail development on Victoria Quay.”

The public transport authority says it wants whatever option works for “all parties”, its preferred designs dependent on the area being user-friendly to passengers.

by CARMELO AMALFI