$30 Million More for B Shed ‘Revitalisation’

Yesterday, at Fremantle Port’s Victoria Quay, the Premier, Roger Cook, flanked by his Treasurer, Rita Saffioti, his Ports Minister, David Michael, and local Freo MP Simone McGurk, made a big $30 million commitment to the ‘revitalisation’ and ‘activation’ of the heritage listed B Shed precinct.

From L, Simone McGurk, Roger Cook, David Michael – Rita Saffioti out of picture. Supplied

Regrettably, local media were not told of or invited to the big announcement. The Shipping News only learned about it through social media generated by the Premier after the event. We understand the whole event was orchestrated by the Premier’s office. Ms McGurk has since apologised to us and other local media for the oversight.

B Shed, Victoria Quay, Fremantle. Credit Fremantle Shipping News

Anyway, here’s the media statement.

The iconic Victoria Quay precinct in Fremantle will be revitalised under a re-elected Cook Labor Government, creating a world-class gateway to Rottnest Island and further activating the area.

The $30 million commitment will transform the B Shed with a new Rottnest Island ferry terminal, visitor centre, berth for the STS Leeuwin II and performing arts space.

The new ferry terminal will be built in front of the B Shed, boosting capacity and allowing Rottnest Express and SeaLink to operate out of the upgraded facility.

Both ferry companies have been operating from temporary premises nearby since late 2022.

The new terminal will provide better access, weather protection and luggage storage to provide a seamless and improved visitor experience for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit Rottnest Island each year.

Additionally, the precinct will include a new berth and home for the famous STS Leeuwin II, which has run youth programs and supported high school students for decades through the Leeuwin Ocean Adventure Foundation.

In recognition of the vibrant arts scene in Fremantle, a performing arts centre will also be delivered as part of the redevelopment, in consultation with the local arts sector.

Once complete, the B Shed will be a multi-purpose facility that complements the redevelopment of A Shed and the progressive redevelopment of the entire precinct as a mixed-use recreational and commercial zone.

The investment reflects WA Labor’s commitment to continued diversification of the local economy, supporting tourism and local jobs and creating vibrant community precincts.

The Premier apparently commented that –

“These upgrades will not only improve the visitor experience for the hundreds of thousands of people that visit each year but also improve vibrancy and amenity for the local community.”

Simone McGurk MLA is also quoted as observing that –

“This is another example of WA Labor’s ongoing commitment to fund the rejuvenation of Fremantle’s port precinct – which is the beating heart of Fremantle.

“We’ve seen what investment like this can achieve just by looking at the hugely popular development of A Shed by Gage Roads, so this is a very exciting next step for Victoria Quay.”

B Shed, Victoria Quay, Fremantle. Credit Fremantle Shipping News

There are many unanswered questions in this announcement, made less than a week before the 8 March election. For a start, given the Government committed $5 million to the upgrade of B Shed in April last year, as we reported at the time, and that work has been ongoing for some time, how much of the $30 million announced yesterday is new money?

We put that question squarely to Simone McGurk earlier today and were advised by her in clear terms that the ‘$30 mill is definitely new money.’

Just who will benefit from the performing arts centre isn’t clear. It’s been left to consultation later with the ‘local arts sector’. One group specifically mentioned by Ms McGurk on her social media, however, is CircusWA.

So we directed a further inquiry to CircusWA boss, Jo Smith, who said that while the announcement is good news for the local arts sector, and more performance space is welcomed, the announcement is a broad brush stroke that is future looking but doesn’t ensure the immediate survival of organisations like CircusWA. Ms Smith said the B Shed redevelopment ‘does not provide us with a home, rather a place for professional circus companies and artists to have a place to perform in’.

Assuming the Cook Government is re-elected this coming Saturday, we look forward to reporting on just how the local arts sector will benefit from the announcement. And also on which arts bodies are without homes and still looking for them.

And there is another question: Will the STS Leeuwin have an office in the revitalised B Shed, as they did in the old B Shed?

Also, exactly on what will the $30 million be spent – how much on renovations to B Shed and how much on fit out?

And finally, for now, what is the time-frame for the revitalisation and activation works?

So, as many questions as answers with this $30 million announcement! We look forward to reporting on the answers before too many tides come in and go out of the harbour!

* By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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