Rarely a Dull Moment - Line Dancing, Back Packing, Tree Retention, Structure Plans & Heritage Lists

“Don’t make any drastic decisions while I’m gone!”, warned the Mayor, in my imagination. And duly, they didn’t.

Not the most decisive of Council meetings tonight, 14 May 2025. Excluding a few big items, of course.

Gigantic agenda on the cards but an astonishingly brief meeting at 2.5 hours. Covering all manner of statutory, strategic, sustainability, and heritage planning, too, to make up for a lighter agenda during the public holiday period. Line-dancing is on the cards. And a tree change in the industrial zone. There’s something for everyone here.

HIGH STREET, NO. 81 (LOT 1), FREMANTLE – PARTIAL CHANGE OF USE TO TAVERN AND INTERNAL ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS TO EXISTING BUILDING

Honk once if you want more room for your line dancing. This proposal sought permission to expand the Honky Tonk Blues Bar up to the first floor and provide a bookable events venue for 3-4 days of the week. Noise proofing and protection of heritage elements were among the key considerations.

Interior view of 81 High Street upper floor – from City of Fremantle Council report

Discretion sought for this proposal against the City’s requirements relate to an undersupply of car parking given the historic design of High Street and the “A” land use permissibility triggering the requirement for a planning application.

This site used to house the Fremantle RSL Wyola Club and is now vacant.

The officer report advised the proposal entails:

Occasional use of the upper floor based upon demand (i.e. bookings);
Using the 419m² first floor for functions as well as an extension of the existing tavern;
Accommodating up to 200 people in the first floor venue;
Potential licensed operating hours of 6am – Midnight Monday to Saturday and from 10am – Midnight on Sundays;
Modifications to the interior to accommodate the use;
Installing stairs and a lift from the ground floor via High Street;
Noise mitigation measures such as acoustic curtains, glazing, and new insultation; and
Nil parking for the land use (resulting in a total shortfall of 131 bays, softened by the proximity of public car parks and public transport).

Good news for anyone who ever dreamed of getting married in cowboy boots?

Advertising of the application attracted 14 responses, advising principally of concerns regarding noise, parking, heritage and waste management.

In response, the proponents provided additional information on two occasions during April to bolster the proposal, particularly in respect to noise, waste, and heritage.

Neighbours of Honky Tonk spoke of their experiences in trying to deal with the acoustic performance over the last two years and their strong concerns that the expansion will project even more noise straight through the walls to their homes. A compounding problem that jeopardises capacity for increased inner city living alongside older building stock.

The owner and the head of programming and marketing of Honky Tonk assured the room they have invested a substantial amount of money in addressing the problem and that it is a safe and friendly locally run venue that has outgrown its current space, with queues extending practically to Pakenham Street. They have worked hard since acquiring the site over 12 years ago to activate it again including during the Hidden Treasures annual events.

Further to the matter of heritage, which was deemed acceptable as the works are confined to the interior, the officer report noted the following among other considered merits of the application:

“The proposal will reactivate a currently unused, vacant floor and tenancy of the historic building in Fremantle’s West End that has recently been restored and renovated (subject of planning application ref. DA0009/22 – Internal Alterations to Existing Building) since being vacated by the previous occupants, the Fremantle RSL Wyola Club, which vacated in approximately 2015 (refer historic first floor plan of subject site at Additional Information 8).”

Council resolved to defer this item to give the applicant additional time to address the noise concerns, venue management, waste, fire access, and so on.

HIGH STREET, NO. 1-4/64 (LOT 50), FREMANTLE – CHANGE OF LAND USE TO HOTEL AND INTERNAL ALTERATIONS

Known as the Navy Club. This property was gutted by a fire in the 1980s but has been used by the Navy Club for some time including for musical events, and has been for sale for a while which raised the question of its future. Now Fremantle Hostel seeks to take it over as an expansion of their Pakenham Street backers’.

Elevation of Former Fremantle Navy Club – from City of Fremantle Council report

The items of discretion concern:

Land use
Car and bicycle parking (none available, resulting in a shortall of 11 car bays)
Alterations and additions

Works associated with the proposal comprise of:

No changes to the exterior, excluding the doors;
Removal and replacement of existing entry doors;
Retaining the two existing shops on the ground floor;
Ground floor to include a retail space, laundry machines, storage facility and vending machines;
First floor to contain:

– Four (4) mixed dormitories (1, 3, 9 and 10 beds).

– Two (2) female only dormitories (10 beds in each).

– Two (2) male only dormitories (9 and 10 beds).

– Total 62 beds.

– A common area and seating.

– Ambulant toilets, female and male showers.

Second floor fit out to include:

– Two (2) mixed dormitories (8 and 10 beds).

– One (1) female dormitory (10 beds).

– One (1) male dormitory (10 beds).

– Total 38 beds.

– Kitchen/meal preparation area.

– A common area and seating.

Windows to be fitted with internal frames containing 6mm glazing (no modifications to existing windows structures);
No proposed works indicated to the third floor bar area and confirmation that it will be accessible to the general public (i.e. those not staying on site);
Removal of the gate at the entrance to the right of way.

Despite assurances that no extant heritage values of the site will be unacceptably compromised and the efforts of the proponents, advertising of this proposal attracted 15 objections on the basis of:

“Overcrowding of people in the surrounding area placing pressure on local amenities and public infrastructure/ transport.
Increased noise disturbance for surrounding residents.
The use of the rooftop area for a bar/ common area will result in additional noise disturbance.
Economic impact from oversaturation of similar land uses.
Blocking of the right of way to the north will prevent access for services vehicle and will block a fire escape which services adjoining buildings.
Insufficient car parking provided.
Visual privacy/ overlooking concerns from the upper floor windows.
Insufficient waste management plans.
Concern over impact to the existing heritage listed building.
Increase in antisocial behaviour.”

That might be due to the potential “24/7” rooftop bar operations, as a member of the public put it after graciously praising previous speakers in their deputations on the relatable Honky Tonk item. “Popularity is not a good planning basis”, he remarked.

Notwithstanding the above, City officers consider the proposal acceptable, particularly given occupancy numbers will be reduced from the previous excess of 300 patrons capable of being accommodated by the previous use, and the management procedures proposed by Fremantle Hostel sufficient to achieve strict conditional planning approval. That was bolstered by the statement of support by the current president of the Navy Club, who urged Council to consider this proposal in the context of the history of the navy club operations which has never received a noise complaint for this venue despite also having late night music and the rooftop bar.

Another member of the public extolled the importance of backpackers and tourists to the vitality of Fremantle, inclusive of character and amenity.

That didn’t quite win over the neighbouring Fremantle Buffalo Club, offering multidisciplinary use spaces, live music, and community activities, and ironically are worried about acoustic performance for the hostel. The site itself is surrounded by commercial and performing venues, with residential spaces in the upper floors.

Cue an intensive but civil discussion on the challenges of this location. And concerns of “bullshitting” by certain parties hampering clarity for the community.

Another difficult question. Another deferral for determination another day.

KEEGAN STREET, NO.7 (LOT 73), O’CONNOR – PROPOSED MULTI-UNIT WAREHOUSE DEVELOPMENT

Two items of contention here. The front setback and proposed removal of regulated trees!

This is the first formal test of the City of Fremantle’s newly minted LPP 2.26 Tree Retention Policy.

Regulated Trees at 7 Keegan Street – from City of Fremantle Council report

Works proposed comprise of:

“The demolition of the existing industrial building.
The removal of 4 regulated and 15 unregulated on-site trees (resulting in a total removal of 19 on-site trees) [including peppermints and Eucalypts]
The construction of 16 warehouse units with a total Gross Leasable Area (GLA) of 2294m2.
The construction of 39 car parking bays
The construction of three (3) new crossovers, two (2) on the eastern boundary and one (1) on the northern boundary.
The removal of two (2) redundant crossovers.
The installation of landscaping.”

No justification provided by the proponent for the healthy trees, such as an arborist report.

But as a balm, the applicant provided amended plans on 24 April 2025 which entail:

“The relocation of the proposed east crossover 5m further north to avoid the removal of an existing verge tree.
Proposed planting of an additional 8 on-site trees (resulting in a total addition of 19 trees)
Alteration of survey plan to include on-site trees marked for removal and regulated tree marked for retention.”

Nonetheless. City officers recommended this one be refused for the following reasons:

The proposal is inconsistent with clauses 67(g), 67(n), 67(o) and 67(p) of the Deemed Provisions as it will result in the loss of amenity, biodiversity and other environmental benefits provided to the community by virtue of the removal of existing trees and other vegetation.
The proposal is inconsistent with the policy objectives of Local Planning Policy 2.26 (Tree Retention) as it will not prioritise the retention and protection of trees on private land, will not contribute to biodiversity, groundwater quality and other environmental benefits and will not assist in mitigating the urban heat island effect by virtue of the removal of existing regulated trees.

You guessed it. Another deferral. Nothing for the chop today.

DEFERRED ITEM – SEALANES, AND FORMER LEFROY ROAD QUARRY STRUCTURE PLAN REVIEWS

Back again after being deferred from two meetings ago for future consideration by councillors.

Both of these locations have not witnessed the redevelopment once envisaged under the respective Local Structure Plans that would have guided their conversion to mixed and residential land uses.

Adopted en bloc. Council agreed with the officer recommendation that:

Council supports that the approval period of the Sealanes Structure Plan and the Former Lefroy Road Quarry Structure Plan will lapse on 19 October 2025.

2025 UPDATE OF HERITAGE LIST AND LOCAL HERITAGE SURVEY

Corrections, removals, and substantial additions.

This year’s update to the City of Fremantle Heritage List and Local Heritage Survey comprises of the:

“Retention of 1 place on the list with updates to the category and information to match its inclusion on the State Register;
Removal 4 places from the Heritage List;
Addition of 5 places to the Heritage List;
The following additional modifications to the Heritage List and the Local Heritage Survey as part of the South Fremantle Heritage Area:
- Add to Heritage List – 233 places
- Add as a contributory only property – 6
- Remove from Heritage List and update LHS accordingly – 56 places
- Change LHS management category – 57 places”

This includes the wonderful Ford Motor Co. Factory (Fmr.) at 130 Stirling Highway, North Fremantle, also known as the Matilda Bay Brewing Company Building Fmr. This one will be kept on the Heritage List but upgraded from Level 1B to 1A to reflect its inclusion on the State Register of Heritage Places in 2024.

For your information, a “contributory” place is one that enhances or forms part of the recognised heritage values of a heritage area or precinct. They aren’t always individually captured on the Heritage List, but they form part of the whole.

The Heritage List is a statutory instrument that affords protection to heritage places, by triggering the requirement for planning approval before you can make modifications to them (naturally exceptions apply to this rule). The List is informed by the Local Heritage Survey, a record of all recognised heritage places which provides documentary evidence of heritage significance, including details on history and physical condition of heritage places. Quite the treasure trove of information.

The City of Fremantle adopted its first Local Heritage Survey in September 2000 (originally called a Municipal Heritage Inventory). The Heritage List was later adopted in accordance with Local Planning Scheme No.4, gazetted in 2007.

As for the review of South Fremantle Heritage Area, here’s an indication of the scale:

Places assessed: 1213
Places to be added to the Heritage List: 233
Add as Contributory Only: 6
Places to be removed from the Heritage List: 56
Place where the LHS Management Category is to be changed (other than those already listed under 4.): 57

One of the interesting changes associated with this review is the decision to include post-war 1950s era places, which previously were rarely regarded for their heritage value but as times change are now better recognised for their “distinct form and appearance emblematic of the era”.

Examples of Post War Housing within the City of Fremantle – courtesy of City of Fremantle Local Studies Collection

All present councillors swiftly supported the officer recommendation that it:

Endorses the following modifications to the Local Heritage Survey (LHS) and Heritage List for the purposes of advertising in accordance with regulation 8 of the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015:
1. Retention on Heritage List but modification of name and LHS management category and information to reflect inclusion on State Heritage Register (Attachment 1):
  1. Ford Motor Co. Factory (Fmr.), 130 Stirling Highway, North Fremantle
2. Removal from Heritage List and updating of LHS accordingly (Attachment 1):
  1. House, 81 South Street, South Fremantle
  2. House 66 Jenkin Street, South Fremantle

House, 4 Coventry Parage, North Fremantle

71a Wood Street, White Gum Valley

Addition to the Heritage List and updating of LHS accordingly (Attachment 1):
1. House, 11 Tuckfield Street, Fremantle
2. House, 3B Montreal Street, Fremantle

House, 220 South Terrace, Fremantle

Duplex 1 Knutsford Street, Fremantle
Duplex 3 Knutsford Street, Fremantle
Robert Jowitt & Sons Warehouse, 64 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle

The following amendments to places in the South Fremantle Heritage Area (Attachment 2):
1. Add to Heritage List – 233 places
2. Add as a contributory only property – 6

Remove from Heritage List and update LHS accordingly – 56 places

Change LHS management category – 57 places

Notes a report will be brought back to Council following advertising of the new local planning policies for final consideration. [that was probably supposed to say Heritage List and Local Heritage Survey but we’ll forgive it considering the mammoth workload. It’ll be corrected in the final minutes, no doubt]

Watch this space for advertising of the proposed update.

AMENDMENTS TO THE SOUTH FREMANTLE HERITAGE AREA AND RELATED LOCAL PLANNING POLICIES

No stone or policy left unturned these days. What a year for South Fremantle. An exceptionally charming and vibrant part of our city.

It’s an especially cruel irony of Council meetings that sometimes the most complex and time consuming reports wind up being the ones that have little to no discussion on the night. This was one of them. It involved extensive research of documentary evidence and streetscape surveying of South Fremantle properties, place by place. But rest assured there was ample discussion in the lead up to tonight.

The item foreshadows the final state of consultation for the South Fremantle Heritage Area review. Several relevant local planning policies informing procedures for the assessment and treatment of heritage places are also intended to be updated to facilitate it all.

They are, according to the officer report:

“The draft LPP 1.6: Heritage Assessment and Procedures, which updates and consolidates several existing procedural policies;
The draft LPP 3.6: Heritage-protected Places Built Form and Land Use, which amends and updates the existing LPP 3.6 to include criteria for all heritage area and individually listed properties (except the West End, which will remain its own policy);
The draft LPP 3.6.1: Heritage Areas Listings, a new policy for recording the state-required information on Heritage Areas;
The final round of consultation for the South Fremantle Heritage Area, including changes to the map area and contributory properties; and
Amendments to the development exemptions local planning policy as a result of the above.”

South Fremantle Heritage Area is the first local heritage area to be reviewed under the latest heritage legislation and includes the recognition of “contributory places” for the first time. 900 of them!

The policy review, particularly the update of the Heritage Areas policy and the exemptions policy, strives to provide clarity on exactly what is and isn’t acceptable when developing a heritage place, individually and contextually, and establishes a realistic and balanced approach for ensuring contributory places still contribute but are also capable of evolving with the new residents’ needs.

Four policies will be revoked. Several others will be updated. And as a neat outcome of all this work, everything you need to know from a local planning policy perspective about developing in heritage places will be contained within the following four policies:

Draft LPP 3.6: Heritage-protected Places Built Form and Land Use;
Draft LPP 3.6.1: Heritage Areas Listings;
Draft LPP 1.6: Heritage Administration and Procedures; and
LPP 3.21: West End Heritage Area (unchanged).

Council swiftly supported the officer recommendation to launch the process for advertising. Watch this space for opportunities to comment.

POLICY UPDATES CONTINUE

The Local Planning Policy 2.24 Waste Management Plans for New Development and Local Planning Policy 2.3 Fremantle Port Buffer Area Development Guidelines required an update for modernity.

The officer report advises that the Fremantle Port Buffer Area DG policy was first adopted in 2007 to establish built form criteria for development within the Fremantle Port Buffer Zones. This determined a Buffer Area on the basis of “potential amenity impacts and risks such as noise, odour and public risk.”

A new Local Planning Policy 1.1 Planning Refunds, Amendment and Community Consultation was also adopted to provide an administrative framework for the items as such outlined in the policy title.

Various local planning policies considered redundant were recommended for revocation. Approximately 15 if I counted that right!

Council supported the measures en bloc. More advertising to come your way for these policies, excluding the administrative Fremantle Port Buffer Area policy changes.

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TOOL PILOT

Here’s the precursor to a significant new policy intended to enhance the energy efficiency of residential development within the City of Fremantle using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). It arises from discussions held within the Community Emissions Working Group which Cr Williamson-Wong complimented as an exciting “great piece of work”.

We are advised:

“The LCA pilot program will provide an opportunity for applicants of new single homes and grouped dwellings to utilise a Rapid LCA tool over a six month period. The RapidLCA tool will be offered to applicants at no cost and is optional.”

It is inspired by examples from various other local governments, including the City of Vincent. This will allow various different housing types to be tested under the pilot and establish familiarity with the tool.

It is anticipated that the pilot program will be operational by July 2025 and take about six months to gather the required data and feedback to ultimately inform a new local planning policy. Local Planning Policy LPP2.13 Environmentally Sustainable Design will also be updated for consistency and improved performance

If the pilot is deemed successful, the following approach is recommended for the policy:

Phase 1: All new singles homes, significant additions and Grouped Dwellings

Phase 2: Application to all development, including large-scale Multiresidential, Mixed Use and Commercial development

Interesting statistics contained within the officer report:

“According to data from the Infrastructure Australia, buildings are directly responsible for 30% of Australia’s carbon emissions. Embodied carbon from building activity is 10% of national emissions.”

We also learned that in order to produce cement for concrete, “limestone and clay are crushed and then heated to 1450 degrees Celsius”. Very energy intensive as a consequence and a massive source of carbon emissions.

Council all voted in favour to:

Endorse the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tool for the purpose of undertaking a pilot program for a period of six months.
Notes that on conclusion of the pilot program, the following will be brought back to Council for further consideration:
1. Findings from the pilot program and any suggested changes;
2. New/amended policy to formally embed an LCA tool into the development assessment process, for the purposes of community consultation.
3. Options around phasing, costs and future fees.

And we’re only halfway through May! Good grief. Hope you all enjoyed this condensed summary, see you next time.

By Gayle O’Leary. If you’d like to catch up on more by Gayle here on Fremantle Shipping News, look right here!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* If you’d like to COMMENT on this or any of our stories, don’t hesitate to email our Editor.

** WHILE YOU’RE HERE –