FREMANTLE OVAL’S redevelopment is a step closer after the council approved a master plan for consultation this week.
The master plan labels the future redevelopment as a “hub” for women’s footy in WA which will act a “critical second-tier stadium” to Optus.
Coastal Ward councillor Andrew Sullivan says the redevelopment is necessary to keep the oval functioning; he says that’s “under threat” and it’s “no longer adequate” to serve the needs of the community.
• Apartments and a hub for women’s footy is in the mix for Fremantle Oval under a redevelopment plan.
“It’s not under threat because of anything external, it’s under threat just because it’s past its use-by date,” Cr Sullivan said.
“We won’t see women’s football at the high level of the AFLW played there into the future and we will struggle to see the oval utilised for the WA Football Commission.
“If we don’t get a redevelopment of the oval, that threat of its demise is real… as a centre, as opposed as a city that prides itself in being the second city of Perth, it is imperative that we maintain the types of activities in the city center that reflect and continue to support the [Fremantle’s] status.”
The oval itself will be realigned to “balance spectator and player experience”, and seating additional to the Victoria Pavilion will be constructed alongside a digital scoreboard.
The South Fremantle Football Club will also be receiving an upgrade to its facilities.
The plan will “significantly increase” the number of inner-city residents, with 240 dwellings including aged and disability care, and student and affordable housing, and are projected to be as high as eight and nine storeys.
Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge addressed an article published in the West Australian earlier this week, which included comments fearing the affordable and social housing element would be detrimental to current residents.
Devalue
“Some of the quotes in [the article], like ‘affordable housing should not be built in this precinct, it will devalue our properties’ probably don’t reflect, I hope, the broader community sentiment in Fremantle,” Ms Fitzhardinge said.
“What I struggle with is people tell me… that they move to Freo because of the vibrancy, the culture, the energy, the diversity.
“Please don’t tell me that once they’ve secured their home in paradise, that they turn around and become the same people who want to deny the folks who gave us that vibrancy and diversity a place to live.
“I kind of have this nightmare vision of heritage Disneyland Fremantle, where it’s all to look at and not to live in, and that’s not what we love about our town.”
Exercise facilities, childcare, and a nature-scape playground were also touted in the plan.
The redevelopment is scheduled to begin in 2027 and will be completed in 2029.
Stage 1, which will include the “delivery of the sporting and community assets” as well as initial residential works will cost $165 million.
The total cost, including the residential development, will be announced once detailed plans have been approved and finalised.
The community’s opportunity to provide public comment on the draft master plan via the My Say Freo website.
Submissions close November 6.
by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER