FUTURE OF FREMANTLE ENDORSED BY WA GOVERNMENT
29 Jan 2025
A 50-year plan to turn the Fremantle port into one of the world’s greatest waterfront cities has been endorsed by the Western Australian Government.
The Future for Fremantle project to revitalise the Fremantle Inner Harbour was launched off the back of the state’s decision to make Kwinana, to Perth’s south, the preferred location for a new container port for long-term freight activities, to be called Westport.
The bold and ambitious vision for the future redevelopment of Fremantle’s harbour precinct would transform the area into a globally significant, city-scale development once trades have relocated. The Future of Fremantle Place and Economic Vision builds on Fremantle’s unique identity, proposing culturally vibrant urban spaces with strong connections to more than 10 kilometres of ocean and river frontage. 
The new precinct will promote sustainable urban living through walkable, well-connected streets and strong links between Fremantle and its waterfront. A diverse range of homes, designed to meet the needs of the growing community, will be supported by infrastructure and extensive parklands and green spaces. Residents will have the opportunity to live close to thousands of jobs across various thriving industries in Fremantle, including tourism, culture and the arts, maritime industries, education and research. 
Future of Fremantle Planning Committee chair Jane Bennett said, "imagining a future for the inner harbour port precinct had been a privilege and a challenge. It embodies the spirit of Fremantle and the wider Western Australian community – resilient, adaptable, hardworking and welcoming.”
The Inner Harbour plan aims to deliver employment and residential opportunities as Fremantle is regenerated into a self-sufficient waterfront city. The project would deliver 20,200 new homes and an estimated $13.6 billion in gross state product annually, according to the concept plans. 
The area under consideration covers 370ha of land and waterways, a similar size to Barangaroo in Sydney or Canary Wharf in London. The plan envisages adaptive reuse of heritage assets as well as opportunities for new landmark buildings and spaces for creativity and cultural exchange.
The report shows bold plans for new harbour crossings including a fixed bridge at James Street and a potential moveable active transport bridge, as well as a new cruise terminal and recreational boating opportunities. The preservation of the freight rail corridor for future public transport, relocating North Fremantle station and a new Fremantle station are also part of the vision.
Timings for the project will be dictated by the relocation of trades from the inner harbour, determining when land and waterways become available for repurposing and redevelopment.
