‘A new iconic destination’: Check out the potential Future of Freo

A new vision for the future of the Port City has been unveiled, detailing the long-term redevelopment of the Fremantle-Walyalup harbour precinct.

Future of Fremantle Place and Economic Vision report was released in November 2024 and endorsed this week by the Cook Labor Government.

The report was undertaken by the Future of Fremantle Planning Committee, which formed in response to the relocation of Western Australia’s freight industry from Fremantle to a new container port in Kwinana.

The Kwinana port project, Westport, is currently at the final $273 million planning stages, with construction not expected to be completed until the late 2030s and container trade transition from Fremantle to Kwinana in the early 2040s.

With the relocation of freight industry, the Fremantle-Walyalup harbour precinct can be redeveloped for residential, commercial and tourism purposes – which is where the Future of Fremantle comes in.

Comparable in size to some of the world’s largest port developments, including Barangaroo, Canary Wharf and HafenCity, the precinct site measures in at 370 hectares, including waterways – and includes 10 kilometres of ocean and river frontage stretching between Rous Head, Victoria Quay and Leighton.

The report divides the wider site into six precincts: Victoria Quay, South Quay, Leighton, North Fremantle, North Quay and Rous Head, each with their own distinct offerings focusing on arts and culture, hospitality, tourism, technology, education and more. These offerings aim to tackle the five “vision goals” for the redevelopment that have been identified within the report:

• Grow an economy for the future
• Reflect Freo’s | Walyalup’s identity
• Reconnect land and water
• Diverse and healthy
• Walkable and well-connected

Across all precincts, these goals are also addressed through inclusions like abundant green spaces, accessible waterfront destinations and expanded transport infrastructure that prioritises walkability.

In total, the proposed redevelopment has the capacity to create up to 45,000 additional jobs and up to 20,000 new homes (including social housing) – attracting up to 55,000 new residents.

“We have this opportunity to reimagine the next evolution of Fremantle through the redevelopment of the port precinct – into a new iconic destination,” said Planning Minister John Carey.

“This is a bold vision that will reinforce Fremantle’s identity as an eclectic, dynamic and resilient waterfront city and one of the world’s great places to live, work and visit.”

“We have the opportunity for a transformative change for Fremantle over the next 20-40 years and this project has provided the first steps for sustainable growth that will deliver social, economic and environmental benefits for Western Australians.”

“By relocating these services further south on our coastline, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our harbour city and deliver new maritime, tourism, housing, employment and cultural experiences in Fremantle,” added Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti.

“It is important to plan for the future now by understanding the capacity and potential of this iconic part of our coastline and the economic opportunities it can deliver for the future of our State – including an extra $13.6 billion in Gross State Product.”

You can find out more and read the full report on the State Government website.