Major projects & advocacy
Fremantle is a city of opportunity
From its commercial centre to its trendy neighbourhoods, it is a desirable destination with a capacity to grow. Improving Fremantle’s amenity will improve the quality of life of all Western Australians. We have identified four key areas that will provide people with access to diversity in housing, open spaces for recreation and places for entertainment.
These priority projects will shape and progress the development of our seaside city. Fremantle Council has a clear and optimistic vision for the city’s potential and stands ready to support initiatives that help achieve our goals. The successful completion of the Walyalup Civic Centre and FOMO Freo development proves that investment in significant projects can achieve positive social outcomes.
"The precinct now boasts contemporary workspaces, food and beverage outlets, event spaces, shopping, family entertainment and a playground. It’s an area that’s activated seven days a week. This recent activity has been transformational, and we must keep up the momentum.”
Unlocking Transformational Renewal
Transformational investment across key precincts – from the inner Harbour to O’Connor and Fremantle Oval presents a rare opportunity to reshape the City’s economic landscape.
Coordinated planning and placemaking can unlock these areas for housing, jobs, innovation and culture. The relocation of port operations creates a generational opportunity to revitalise the inner harbour, enabling the development of new housing, employment precincts and a vibrant waterfront destination.
The Fremantle City Plan will act as a spatial vision for Fremantle’s City centre to guide its growth over the next 20 years. This plan aims to increase residential population within the City centre to foster vibrancy, coordinate major projects and enhance infrastructure to attract investment.
Projects like the Fremantle Oval Precinct Redevelopment, the Woolstores Developments (with a total value yet to be completed of $932.4 million), and the Future of Fremantle Place and Economic Vision are central to this precinct-based renewal. O’Connor also presents an opportunity to evolve this light industrial precinct into a more diverse and productive employment area.
Fremantle Oval Precinct Redevelopment
The Fremantle Oval Precinct Redevelopment is a strategic initiative aimed at revitalising the historic Fremantle Oval and its surrounding areas to better serve the community and enhance the precinct's functionality.
The project is proposed to include:
- Stadium Upgrades: Modernisation of existing facilities to accommodate a range of sporting and community events.
- Community Spaces: Development of new public areas, including open spaces and amenities, to encourage community engagement and recreation.
- Heritage Conservation: Preservation and integration of heritage elements to maintain the cultural significance of the site.
- Accessibility Improvements: Enhancements to ensure the precinct is accessible to all members of the community.
Woolstores Developments
The Fremantle Woolstores were large buildings adjacent to Victoria Quay at the northern entrance to Fremantle town centre. The sites have sat vacant for decades but are now undergoing redevelopment.
- Woolstores Shopping Centre opened in March 2025 and includes a carpark, retail and childcare facilities. A proposed stage 2 development including build to rent accommodation and a hotel is currently being considered.
- Elders Wool Stores Redevelopment: A $110 million proposed development to include 39 multiple dwellings, 174 co-living (residential building) units, office, restaurant/café. Construction is planned to commence in 2026 and be completed by mid-2028.
Garde Hotel
The Garde Hotel is a major luxury accommodation project that opened in September 2025. The project incorporates 106 luxury rooms and suites as well as an on-site Japanese restaurant.
Garde Hotel is a central feature of Fremantle's newly designated Convict Quarter, a precinct that includes the Fremantle Prison, Warders Cottages, and other historic sites. This area aims to boost tourism by highlighting Fremantle's rich heritage.
Fremantle Traffic Bridge
One of the biggest infrastructure projects ever delivered in Fremantle is now underway, with the construction of a new traffic bridge to service the port city.
Replacing the current Fremantle Traffic Bridge at Swan River Crossing, the new bridge will have two lanes in each direction, wider active transport paths, and a higher clearance for watercraft, providing safer, better connections for the community.
The Australian and Western Australian Governments have each committed $215 million towards the $430 million project.
It will be Australia's only extradosed bridge, a design that incorporates both cantilevers and cable support, and will replace the ageing timber frame bridge, which has required significant investment in recent years to maintain its structural integrity.
Future of Fremantle Place and Economic Vision
The WA government has identified Kwinana as the future base for all major state-based water freight and logistics needs. This means Fremantle’s working port functions (especially container trade) are expected to shift to Kwinana by the late 2030’s. As a result, a significant portion of prime waterfront land will become available at Fremantle’s Inner Harbour.
The government has undertaken considerable engagement and planning to develop a place-based vision which can guide the long-term (50+ year planning horizon) transformation of the area.
Key desired outcomes include:
- Revitalise the waterfront – Provide public access and open space along the Derbarl Nara (Swan River).
- Create Diverse Housing – Support up to 20,000 new homes affordable and sustainable options.
- Generate Jobs and Economic Value – Enable 45,000 jobs and contribute $13.6 billion per year to WA’s gross state product.
- Strengthen Cultural Identity – Embed Whadjuk Noongar values and heritage.
- Promote Sustainability and Climate Resilience – Embrace innovative, carbon-neutral infrastructure and development.
Source: Future of Fremantle Place and Economic Strategy 2025
Residential Developments
The continued approval of new infill developments in the City will allow an influx of new residents that can support local retail and household service expenditure.
The Heart of Beaconsfield is a long-term urban renewal initiative led by the City of Fremantle in collaboration with the Department of Communities and other stakeholders. The area covers approximately 48 hectares, stretching from South Street to Clontarf Road. Key sites include Davis Park precinct; Former South Metropolitan TAFE site; Lefroy Road Quarry; Fremantle College; and Activ Foundation site.
A site to the southern edge of the area is already being marketed for development by Stockland including $250 million all-electric medium density community. Nara is expected to comprise around 206 architecturally designed two-three storey townhouses on the corner of Naylor Street and Clontarf Road.
The Davis Park precinct underwent an EOI process for development by the State Government in 2024 with a desire for the development to include more than 700 dwellings.
Fremantle Port Upgrades
The WA Government is investing an additional $40.5 million in the next stage of activation of Fremantle's Victoria Quay precinct, including improvements to historic B Shed and cruise ship infrastructure at Fremantle Passenger Terminal.
The new facilities will provide the ferry companies and their customers and cruise passengers with a much-improved visitor experience.
Fremantle District Police Complex
The complex is a significant infrastructure project costed it more than $140 million, initiated by the Western Australian Government to enhance law enforcement capabilities in Fremantle. Situated at 49 South Terrace, adjacent to Fremantle Hospital and Fremantle Oval, the complex aims to centralise various police services and improve public safety in the region.
The project is estimated to support more than 500 construction jobs and be completed by mid-2027.
Expansion of Fremantle Hospital
The Fremantle Hospital has undergone significant redevelopment to enhance its mental health services, with a $63 million investment by the Western Australian Government. This project transforms the hospital into a major mental health hub for the southern metropolitan region.
The redevelopment will increase the number of inpatient mental health beds from 64 to 104, marking a 60 per cent boost in capacity.