FISHING BOAT HARBOUR has been formally recognised as one of Western Australia’s most significant heritage places.
The harbour has been added to the WA Heritage Council’s register of heritage places, bringing the total number of listed sites to 1,397.
Announcing the listing in her own patch this week, heritage minister Simone McGurk said the inclusion marked a shift toward recognising broader cultural landscapes, not just individual buildings.
“It’s so important that locations now can be included in our recognition of what’s important in the state’s heritage,” Ms McGurk said.
• Whadjuk Elder Richard Walley, heritage minister Simone McGurk and Little Creatures representative Danny Connolly at the announcement. Photo by Steve Grant
The harbour joins other iconic Fremantle sites, including the Fremantle Markets, Fremantle Prison, Arthur Head and the Round House in receiving new heritage plaques as part of the rollout.
Fishing Boat Harbour was first established in the 1920s and has long been central to the state’s fishing industry.
The Heritage Council recognises not only its physical infrastructure but also its social significance, particularly its association with post-war migrant communities who built businesses and family livelihoods around the port.
Ms McGurk said the site’s proximity to early colonial landing points added another layer of historical importance.
“If you think about Fishing Boat Harbor, it’s been important because it’s very close to the first point of British arrival here, nearly 200 years ago,” she said.
“And of course, it’s been an active fishing boat harbour, a working harbour here for over 100 years, since 1920,” she said, singling out the Italian community for its contribution.
Tourism
While the harbour continues to operate as a commercial fishing hub, it has increasingly become a major tourism drawcard, known for its restaurants, fishing fleet and waterfront views.
The new heritage plaque program is designed to align with international standards and improve public access to historical information.
“The announcement today includes the announcement of four different plaques that will recognise the inclusion of heritage places, and this is an innovation by the Heritage Council,” Ms McGurk said.
“The plaques are important because they will not only recognise places rather than specific buildings, but the plaques are an innovation that give a QR code.
“So that means that people can easily identify information about about the locations, and that information can be readily updated over time, so it’s not static piece of information.”
The plaques, designed by Aboriginal artist Richard Walley, incorporate references to Country and acknowledge traditional custodians.
For local businesses, the recognition comes amid a period of renewal along the harbour strip.
Little Creatures representative Danny Connolly said the timing aligned with recent investment.
“So this is a momentous day for us, we’ve just renovated the new site,” he said.
“So every seat inside that venue, whether you want to have a beer or have something to eat, you’ll enjoy the stunning views of the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour. And we’re very lucky.”
Despite surging fuel prices and concerns about the resulting impact on food prices, Mr Connolly said trade had so far held steady; but he is anticipating some impacts.
Fremantle mayor Ben Lawver welcomed the listing, but said he wondered how it might affect the Cook government’s 2023 masterplan for the area, with major alterations including a “shared plaza” and apartment/entertainment developments likely to have an impact.
by STEVE GRANT