16 April 2008

The Victoria Quay Planning Committee met for the first time on 2 April 2008.

The WAPC established the committee at the suggestion of Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan, to ensure better integrated and more transparent planning for future non-port activities at the western end of Victoria Quay. 

The members of the committee are Mayor Peter Tagliaferri, Fremantle Ports Chair Alan Birchmore, Tourism WA CEO Richard Muirhead, architect Richard Longley and Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman of the WAPC.

The first action of the committee was to inspect on foot the western end of Victoria Quay. This area includes A, B and E sheds, the ferry landing, Fremantle Ports’ administration building, the port workshops in Slip Street, the Maritime Museum, the slipways precinct and Challenger TAFE.  While many of these places will not change there are opportunities for new activities and some appropriate development as well as improvements to public places.

Following consultations with stakeholders, experts and interested people the committee will advise the WAPC on strategic policy directions for the western end of Victoria Quay and for the Public Transport Authority’s land near Fremantle station and the railway.

The committee intends to develop a strategy which integrates the views of the community, the needs of the port and the priorities of the City of Fremantle.  Any such strategy should grow out of the strong cultural traditions of city and port, while being open to new ideas and opportunities.

The committee is reviewing policies and plans for the area, including the Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan.  The committee’s first priority is to hear what people have to say about the area, and at its next meeting the committee will program initial consultations with interested parties.

Ends

Media contact: Natasha Farrell 9264 7518 or 0408 955 604

Victoria Quay Planning Committee members