Rarely A Dull Moment - Manjaree Bathers Beach & J Shed

Welcome back to our regular feature, Rarely a Dull Moment where we report on the highlights of City of Fremantle Council meetings and activities. We would have titled the feature Never a Dull Moment, but didn’t want to overpromise!

In 2026, we are very pleased to welcome Jenny Archibald to the RADM desk. Jenny will be well known to many Freo folk as a former Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor of the City of Fremantle. Jenny brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as our RADM reporter and we are sure many Shipees will look forward to her regular RADM reports.

Welcome readers to our RADM report for the Ordinary Council Meeting of 10 June 2026.

First, to our valued public question time……and what a question time it was – lots of passionate discussion with a very Freo vibe – respectful and heartfelt. The headline topic was a decision to determine the future of the Arthur Head precinct and management of the various tenancies in the Roundhouse area and in J Shed. Then a top up with discussion on the proposed removal of two Norfolk pines from the Douro Rd roundabout project (a project still out for public comment) and its statistics on safety, as well as a question on the clearing out of dead underwood within Booyeembara Park.

So with no Petitions or Elected Member Communication we move on to …

THE HEADLINE STORY – Item C2606-9 MANJAREE | BATHERS BEACH EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCESS

The proposal presented is to go out for expressions of interest for eligible lettable tenancies within the Manjaree Precinct, which includes J Shed and the buildings around the Roundhouse area. This Bathers Beach area is of deep cultural heritage significance, as well as of State Heritage and community significance.

Back in May 2025 (Item C2505-17) Council endorsed “the adoption of the revised vision, purpose and guiding principles for the Manjaree area…”. This vision is for the area to be “a vibrant, inclusive, creative precinct where First Nations culture, colonial heritage, and contemporary arts and culture connect and thrive together through community-led initiatives supported by the City”. And to achieve this, Manjaree “will provide accessible spaces and opportunities for creative expression, cultural celebration, and community connection in Walyalup | Fremantle”.

The key debate is that for some 32 years, long term tenants at J Shed – particularly Greg James and Jenny Dawson, have invested funds into the J Shed infrastructure to make these tenancies suitable for their heavy scale arts operations – namely sculpture in the case of Greg, and ceramics in the case of Jenny. During that time, they have also hosted many emerging artists in both disciplines, mentoring them and helping them start up their own practices. They are part of Fremantle’s DNA in terms of the art community.

In the mix we have in 2029 the Bicentenary of the year 1829 when Captain Fremantle laid claim to the area (known as Manjaree by its first inhabitants) for the British Empire.

The Council has developed and endorsed a plan to recognise the significance of this area for both Aboriginal people, as its first inhabitants, and the British settlers who came to establish the Swan River Colony. The vision is to revitalise the tenancies within the precinct to create a thriving hub for many artists and other activating initiatives that support this vision. However – and herein lies the rub – the view is that all eligible tenancies, including those of J Shed, are to now go out to an expression of interest. This follows Council giving the required 12-month notice to its long-term tenants to vacate their respective tenancies. (In the case of some of the others, it is a 6-month notice period). The existing tenants are also invited to apply in the EOI process.

It was not easy listening to the heartfelt arguments that were presented by the public during question time, both for and against what is proposed. Former Fremantle Arts Centre Director of 15 years, Jim Cathcart – another a long-term player in the Freo art scene – felt that the time had come for the Manjaree precinct to move on to its new vision and viewed the area as an “important community asset”, urging Council to support the Officers’ Recommendation. Peter Grant, from Freo’s Artsource, likewise argued for its new evolution, noting that “what this Council does, matters…it is a leading Council”. He concluded by stating “(Council) has done a great thing…..stick with it and hold the faith”.

Those speaking in favour of an extension to the notice period included Peter Zuvela, representing internationally recognised Indigenous visual artist, Sandra Hill. Peter, who read out her statement in her absence, commented that…. “It is utterly astounding that (Council) wants to create a new Aboriginal led operation at J Shed when it has been functioning as exactly that for the last 30 years”. Jenny Dawson (of significant ceramicist fame) worked with Sandra Hill on many projects. She argued that ceramicists were “as endangered as a Black Cockatoo”, emphasising they want to be involved in the project’s transition and that this was a “shameful way to treat us as artists”.

BHP water playground Elizabeth Quay MRA [in collaboration with Sandra Hill] designed by Sandra Hill, 2016

Greg James (who has many sculptures around Fremantle and Perth) acknowledged that over the 32 years it “had been an amazing adventure”. During this time, he likewise has collaborated with and mentored many other artists. However, while also reiterating a wish to work with the project, offered these parting words to any potential new tenants – “you are going to freeze your arse off in winter, be blown away in summer…. you’re going to love it!!”

Bella, by Greg James

Moving on to the Council debate, it was equally fraught. Cr Camarda stated “it was disappointing that there was a clear divide on the issue” and moved an amendment to extend the 12-month notice period for the long-held tenancies to a period of 2 years. In debate on this amendment, it was clarified by the Director of Creative Arts and Community, Pete Stone, that the current 12-month notice period had been in place since 2021. When questioned by Cr Mofflin on whether it was possible to amend the notice terms, the CEO, Glen Dougall, agreed that it was “always possible to amend notice …terms”. The Mayor spoke fervently for the amendment, hoping that Council could “allow existing successful artists to finish their (long term) artworks….with respect and dignity for what they have done over 30 years.” Cr van Dorssen noted that while one artist, sculptor Gina Lee, may need more time with only a 6 month notice period, also added that this process was not a surprise. Cr Sullivan asked “are we being fair?…..I think so.” All up, the amendment was lost, with only Cr Camarda, Cr Graham and Mayor Lawver supporting it.

In debate on the Officers’ recommendation to proceed with the EOI process as is, Cr Clarke went on to note that feedback on the topic of other artists having the opportunity for a studio or spaces in this area – “This was voiced by 90%” of respondents ……The word I keep coming back to is FAIRNESS. This proposal is not a ballot system or a waitlist system. We are voting on introducing an Expression of Interest (EOI) process that is weighted and flexible to deliver what the community has asked us to deliver – it’s a FAIR way forward for everyone.”

In all – the motion to proceed was supported by a majority vote. While hoping that the long-term tenants will be considered in their needs if they are not successful in the EOI process, the way is now open for this very important and exciting project to proceed: the interpretation and activation of the whole of Manjaree, delivering a new vision for the precinct.

HOW MUCH SHORT STAY ACCOMODATION IS GOOD FOR OUR CITY?

There were three applications for a change of use from residential to unhosted short term rental. However, the Council was not supportive of the two applied for in the city centre. (C2606-3 ADELAIDE STREET, NO. 408/23 (LOT 54), FREMANTLE – CHANGE OF USE TO UNHOSTED SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACCOMMODATION and C2606-4 ADELAIDE STREET, NO. 612/23 (LOT 82), FREMANTLE – CHANGE OF USE TO UNHOSTED SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACCOMMODATION.

Cr Sullivan moved alternative motions to refuse this change of use on the grounds that we need more longer-term rentals within the inner urban areas. This was supported by Cr Clarke, who argued she was opposed to the high concentration of Air B&Bs. Both applications were unanimously refused.

On the other hand, an application for C2606-2 ALFRED ROAD, NO. 18 (STRATA LOT 1), NORTH FREMANTLE – CHANGE OF USE TO UNHOSTED SHORT-TERM RENTAL ACCOMODATION was approved unanimously.

AND EVERYTHING ELSE

And of course another a tree debate – C2606-1 FIELD STREET, NO.2 (LOT 55), BEACONSFIELD – DEMOLITION OF EXISTING SINGLE HOUSE AND CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE STOREY SINGLE HOUSE, where the owners were willing to replant a number of endemic tree in species in place of the 4 existing regulated trees, it was argued by Council that a better solution could be found, and that some or all of the trees could be retained as per the Council Policy 2.26 Tree Retention. The short of it is that Councillors were unanimously in agreement to defer the item so that the applicants could revisit their plans.

All the remaining items, the ANNUAL UPDATE OF THE HERITAGE LIST AND LOCAL HERITAGE SURVEY 2026(C2606-5), ENDORSEMENT TO ADVERTISE – WHITE GUM VALLEY HERITAGE REVIEWS (C2606-6), REVOCATION OF DGF9 FORESHORES WITHIN THE CITY OF FREMANTLE (C2606-7) and PLANNING INFORMATION REPORT – JUNE 2026 (C2606-8) were passed en block.

Quite a night.

Signed off at 9.09pm. Goodnight Freo.

*By Jenny Archibald