The City of Fremantle's plan to redevelop Fremantle Oval into a facility for the future has reached a significant milestone with the release of the draft Masterplan.
The Masterplan aims to revitalise, enhance and future proof Fremantle Oval as a key community and recreational asset and outlines how that will be achieved.
It is the culmination of many years of work and valuable input from the community, surrounding stakeholders, project partners, expert consultants, City officers and Elected Members of Council.
The vision is shared by the City's project partners the South Fremantle Football Club, Fremantle Football Club and Western Australian Football Commission.
The key objective of the redevelopment is to upgrade the football facilities to improve the player and visitor experience. The redevelopment would also provide for more accessible community spaces and opportunities for new affordable housing.
The Masterplan builds on previous studies of the site undertaken over the past 10 years.
Fremantle Oval Project Working Group member Councillor Fedele Camarda said the history of the Oval is undeniable and that it's important to get the balance of this unique opportunity right.
"It's an opportunity that would be a real shame to miss. I'm confident that we can get the balance right. I'm genuinely excited by the prospect that this will finally come together after a long time with the support of all the various stakeholders and that it can deliver all the desirable outcomes that we want, and we can all be proud of it when it's finished," Cr Camarda said.
Councillor Andrew Sullivan, also a member of the Working Group, said the current facilities, especially for women's football, were inadequate.
"The Oval is at a point in its life that if we don't fix it, we won't see the level of activity that it currently has.
"If we don't get a redevelopment of the Oval that threat of its demise is real," Cr Sullivan said.
Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the inclusion of housing addresses a need that was identified by the community in previous consultations.
"It's one chance we have to exercise some control over affordability and availability of housing in our city," Mayor Fitzhardinge said.
The City has been and will continue to engage with State and Federal Governments to find opportunities to attract funding as a project of national significance.
Council voted unanimously to endorse the Masterplan for public comment, noting that it is an indicative plan and there will be many iterations, assessments and approvals before any redevelopment is finalised and delivered.
The Fremantle Oval Precinct Redevelopment Masterplan is open for public comment until 5pm on Wednesday 6 November 2024 at mysay.fremantle.wa.gov.au
Above image: An artist's impression of the Fremantle Oval Precinct Redevelopment.
