Fremantle "What If?” - Fremantle Shipping News

Fremantle “What If?”

Presented at PS Artspace on Friday night.

Everyone who braved the rain was treated to a series of fantastic visionary presentations on what Fremantle could be someday. With challenges there are opportunities.

These conceptual proposals inform the outstanding work within the Draft Fremantle City Plan and we heard from:

Kerry Hill Architects, with Daniel Jan Martin and Sandra Harben, reimagining Fremantle’s relationship with the Derbal Yerrigan Bilya. Their presentation was accompanied by stunning visuals, I’d be happy to see an exhibition of Prof Dan Jan Martin’s thought provoking art by itself. You might recognise him as the author of the incredible Forests Atlas.

Space Agency Architects, proposing a Community Land Trust housing model on underutilised land along the train corridor. This concept envisages a bottom up, people-first and led approach that fosters an inclusive and innovative style of living.

Simon Pendal Architects with Robyn Collard, proposal for Fremantle Malls – a redevelopment concept that reclaims space for Country at a significant scale. It also managed to retain the Malls largely as is while returning it to a more naturalised state that is wonderfully inviting.

With Architects, envisioning a new community place within Fremantle Park, inspired by the mix and vitality of the West End. Once I digested the “bento box”, I found this a very impressive considered and patient approach to responding to context.

Josh Byrne & Associates with Dr Bill Grace, speculating on a radical transformation of Fremantle by 2125 – letting the water in to rethink how the city lives with a changing coastline. Jarring yet hopeful. Dr Bill Grace teaches Sustainability & Cities in the Master of Urban Design via AUDRC and tonight his team were true to form in presenting shocking climate projections alongside pragmatic and hopeful responses. I have vivid memories of learning during yet another lockdown in my latest bout of covid recovery that we may have 9m+ sea level rises to expect someday.

Finding Infinity, adapting their New Normal framework to Fremantle – a set of 12 strategies for shifting toward urban self-sufficiency. An exciting, locally relevant, and bold proposal.

A panel discussion followed the presentations. Tough questions included what role the City truly has in seeing these visions come to life, and how feasible the projects are, which the panelists and hosts took in their stride. Realising these dreams requires holistic cooperation across all of government and private industry, but it arguably would be best for outcomes to be driven by local communities whom the City could advocate on behalf of to State Government.

The City Plan and the What If concepts are available to view at Fremantle Library. Community feedback on the City Plan is invited until 15 July 2025 and you can provide it right here.

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

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