ACCESS to South Mole was shut this week after rowdy van-dwellers held a rave near the lighthouse on Fremantle Port. 

The campers were mostly visiting backpackers, according to number plates indicating travel from the eastern states. 

Between 25 and 35 vans were estimated to have parked on South Mole when the party happened, but several vehicles have parked in the vicinity for months. 

Fremantle Ports communications manager Neil Stanbury says the rave was the last straw after ongoing problems.

“Rubbish thrown around the mole, graffiti, complaints from fishermen about nowhere to park, tents erected and the toilets not respected,” Mr Stanbury listed. 

“Even our own rubbish truck was unable to drive out there last week due to backpackers taking up the roadway.” 

Mr Stanbury says the closure of South Mole is a “shame” because it is used regularly for recreation, including a large fishing community, and is a good spot to watch ships come in and out of the port. 

• Fremantle Ports closed South Mole after Friday’s rave. Photo by Katherine Kraayvanger

“We’ve been tolerant about this for months,” he said. 

“Unfortunately, there have been problems emerge as a result.” 

South Mole is “owned, controlled, and maintained” by Fremantle Ports, who say the number of formal complaints about the area’s condition has increased in the last few months. 

Fremantle council representatives say its officers have issued three parking infringements to the owners of vehicles who have overstayed parking time limits close to the entrance of South Mole. 

The officers have also requested several other vehicles to relocate. 

Similar issues have occurred in Fremantle, such as overnight camping at South Beach, where the council implemented a four-hour parking limit to prevent overnight stays.

According to Fremantle Residents Against Illegal Camping, the limit has proven a success, congratulating the council from reducing the 40 or so vans down to less than a handful.

There is not yet a timeframe for South Mole to Mr Stanbury says Fremantle Ports is “assessing the damage” caused by the rave and are determining the next steps. 

“Comments from people around South Mole have been supportive of Fremantle Ports’ actions,” Mr Stanbury said. 

“We understand backpackers want to camp cheaply and close to Fremantle and they’re part of the tourism economy, but South Mole isn’t the solution for accommodation.

“It certainly doesn’t have the amenities when it comes to public health and safety.”

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER