AN independent consultant is being paid $11,000 to figure out whether Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt’s radical vision for the port (Herald, December 5, 2015) is viable.

Dr Pettitt wants the government to split the port in two so the 120,000sqm Victoria Quay can be transformed into an entertainment precinct with cafes, bars, hotels and restaurants, leaving North Quay for port operations.

However, the state government has already put the entire port up for sale and expects to fetch around $1.5 billion.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’ll work hard to convince the state that this is the right decision and could generate them $250 million in the sale,” says Dr Pettitt.

MarcoPlan Dimasi’s analysis is set to be completed by the end of the month.