In breaking news, Fremantle Ports have announced that South Mole will re-open to vehicles following a period of public consultation.
While a date for the reopening hasn’t been set, Fremantle Ports CEO Jodie Ransom said vehicles would be allowed back once a range of works were completed to prevent illegal camping on the mole.
South Mole was closed to the public in March but is currently open to pedestrians and cyclists.
“We consulted widely, received a range of views and they’ve been carefully considered in our decision. I want to thank the public for their valued feedback,” Ms Ransom said.
Fremantle Ports further advise that ongoing work with Wilson Parking to install signage and parking meters to facilitate reopening has commenced.
For more on the earlier closure of South Mole, look here .
By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping Mews
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READERS COMMENTS
* To whom it may concern.
Thank you for the decision to reopen the mole to traffic and hopefully stop overnight camping there.
I am intrigued as to how this is going to be achieved.
If it’s done my metered parking I would imagine that any fines issued to “backpackers” will be ignored and left unpaid with no way to collect when and if they leave our shores.
Maybe a few signs advising that vehicles overstaying will be towed away and impounded.
I’m sure that a few tow trucks arriving in the middle of the night and doing their stuff will soon get the message across.
Regards,
Peter Ainsworth
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* Thank you Freo Shipping News as always for your very valuable publication.
I was interested and disappointed to read that the South Mole will be reopened to vehicles.
As a local resident who walks to the lighthouse and home almost every morning of the year, hail or shine, I and others have really enjoyed the clean and quite pedestrian experience during the closure.
The dedicated fisher people have still been present, those prepared to walk the short distance to enjoy wetting a line and catching a feed. Those fishos prepared to walk out are also typically prepared to clean up after themselves using the provided waste bins or taking waste home with them.
I am making a significant assumption but I am almost certain that the mountains of empty bait containers, disposable gloves, takeaway food and drink containers that were previously left lying about ready to blow into the sea, were being left on site by those charmed by the convenience of driving so close that they could fish from the tray of utility or 4X4. There has been very little rubbish with the mole closed to vehicles.
Yes there was some waste from the travelling community but my observation would support a hypothesis that most of those travellers and the few people desperately seeking a place to overnight in vehicles due to lack of housing opportunities genuinely respected the unique harbour environment, disposing of their waste responsibly. I acknowledge and agree that toilet facilities would definitely have struggled to service the large numbers that began to arrive in the later part of 2023 and early 2024.
Finally if the mole is to be reopened it would be wonderful if the vehicle speed limit could be restricted to perhaps 5KLM / hr, and that traffic be restricted to a one way system with a dedicated pedestrian lane. Many vehicles were travelling way too fast within the narrow roadway as it currently exists.
Many thanks for the invitation to respond / comment on the reopening.
Kind Regards
Steve Atwell
