What a week we had here at the Town of East Fremantle, as we reflect on hosting our Premier and Cabinet here on 27 July. It was a thrill to host the meeting here at our stunning Town Hall and to make Premier McGowan and his colleagues aware of the great work we are doing here in East Freo. In my remarks on the day, that I have made available for everyone to read, I shared the exciting things happening in our Town including many major projects that are now underway or soon to begin.
With this in mind, we are inviting all of you to attend a Town Hall Open House on Wednesday 12 August from 3-6pm where you can see plans and ask questions about many exciting things happening in our Town including:
East Freo Oval redevelopment
Hall & Prior's proposed regeneration of the former Woodside House and Maternity Hospital site into a world-class health and aged care precinct
Landscaping plans for Riverside Road and Niergarup Track
Reconciliation Action Plan - find out more and express your interest
Help set the vision for the Town in our Strategic Community Plan
Information about the levelling at Preston Point Oval
What's new in Planning including updates on the Royal George Hotel, as well as on the development of the Local Planning Strategy and more.
Keep reading on in this e-news to see details of each of these projects, which I know are of interest to many of you.
I'm delighted to be able to be there to meet many of you (or to be re-acquainted if we have met before) and so will my fellow Councillors, who will be available from 4pm onwards.
The Town of East Fremantle was the epicentre of participatory democracy on Monday 27 July as Community Cabinet was convened in our historic Town Hall, where our Mayor and Councillors focussed the attention of the Premier and State Government Ministers on local issues. Among the guests were The Hon Dave Kelly MLA, Minister for Water; Forestry; Innovation and ICT; Science; Youth who grew up in East Freo.
During the meetings, Mayor Jim O’Neill, Deputy Mayor Jenny Harrington and CEO Gary Tuffin sought the support of Premier Mark McGowan and his Cabinet for local priorities including the redevelopment of East Fremantle Oval. Deputy Mayor Harrington also held discussions with Minister Templeman about the Town’s public art programme.
The future of East Freo Oval's redevelopment is edging closer.
Residents are invited to attend the Open House on Wednesday 12 August at any time between 3 and 6pm, where you can view the plan and where Brad Patsch of Patsch Group (the consultants delivering this project on Council's behalf) will be available to answer questions.
We are sharing the funding document which outlines the project and how the Town intends to work with federal and state government agencies as well as other sources of funds, (including local business and residents), to bring this vision into being. We will be working to ensure that we create scope for local people and companies to both help us build the redeveloped site and to operate businesses there once it is complete.
Stay tuned for details about a kick off (pardon the pun) fundraising party to launch our campaign to build the new and redeveloped East Freo Oval!
Setting our Strategic Priorities
Our Strategic Community Plan outlines community long term (10+ years) vision, values, aspirations and priorities, with reference to other local government plans, information and resourcing capabilities. In order to keep it relevant, and in keeping with current events, a full review is required every four years with a desktop review every two years.
The Strategic Community Plan:
Establishes the community's vision for the Town's future, including aspirations and service expectations.
Drives the development of local government area/place/regional plans, resourcing and other informing strategies, for example workforce, asset management and services, and
Will ultimately be a driver for all other planning, and
The integration of asset, service and financial plans means the local government's resource capabilities are matched to their community's needs.
The Town of East Fremantle will soon be consulting our community on our Strategic Community Plan and we invite your participation. You can view the current plan, or register your interest by email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au by email with a subject heading "Strategic Community Plan".
Reconciliation Working Group - Express Your Interest!
The Town of East Fremantle/Boyal Walyalup Boodja is committed to developing a Reconciliation Action Plan to guide Council so that our policies, decisions and community engagement are respectful to our Town’s first peoples.
We are seeking expressions of interest from members of the community who would be willing to be voluntary members of the Town of East Fremantle Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Working Group will guide the Town through the development of a ‘Reflect’ RAP in accordance with the Reconciliation Australia process. The Working Group will meet as required and provide feedback and recommendations to the Council.
Written applications should be submitted by close of business on Thursday 20 August 2020.
Woodside Health and Aged Care
Aged care provider Hall & Prior is proposing to repurpose the former Woodside Maternity Hospital into "a world-class health and aged care precinct."
Hall & Prior have advised that: "The Woodside heritage homestead, which has been closed since 2006, will be refurbished to its former glory. The site is being redeveloped to include high-quality care accommodation; a wellness centre, a café, resident recreation areas, and beautiful open spaces that the whole community can enjoy."
Representatives of Creating Communities and Hall & Prior will be available to provide information for our residents and answer questions at our Town Hall Open House on Wednesday 12 August 3-6pm.Background information on the project is also available.
Riverside Road - See Landscape Plan
As you know the Town has conducted a major upgrade to Riverside Road. The works so far have improved access for cyclists and pedestrians, resurfaced the road, upgraded access for all abilities and improved parking.
We know that the upgrades have caused access issues and some inconvenience, and we thank you for your patience during this process.
The next phase will include line marking on the road and landscaping that will see many new mature and shady trees installed. This will change the look of Riverside Road as our iconic tall palms reach the end of their natural lives.
The new species will suit the area and provide much-needed shade as well as habitat for local animals and birds
We welcome you to walk, cycle, or drive along Riverside Road and enjoy these upgrades.
If you would like to see details of the landscaping planned for the area, you are welcome to attend a drop-in session on Wednesday 12 August 2020 between 3 and 6pm at the East Fremantle Town Hall.
And keep your eyes peeled for a new video about this project which we will be sharing with you very soon!
Update on Niergarup Track
The Town of East Fremantle has completed the latest stage of works at Niergarup Track, with the resurfacing of the limestone path now completed. The Town has commissioned the development of an environmental management plan by local APACE Nursery, who will devise a schedule of revegetation with low-growing shrubs and plants so as not to impinge upon views. The landscaping plan for this work will be available at the Town Hall Open House on Wednesday 12 August 2020 3-6pm.
We know that this Track is a special place for our community, and we want to ensure it is preserved and maintained appropriately, and we thank Track users and nearby residents for their patience during this process.
Swan River Crossings, Fremantle
The WA State Government will be replacing the existing Fremantle Traffic Bridge to improve connectivity and access. This is currently in planning stage with construction due to start in late 2021.
The plan is to replace the existing Fremantle Traffic Bridge and deliver a crossing that considers road, passenger and freight rail and path connectivity across the Swan River. The Fremantle Traffic Bridge was built in 1938 as a temporary structure and has served its function well, however, the bridge's structure has been deteriorating over a number of years, and despite extensive strengthening and maintenance works (including a highly disruptive closure in 2016), the bridge needs to be replaced.
The Town will soon begin important levelling works at Preston Point Oval.
The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:
Removal of existing grass, thatch and fixtures including irrigation and old cricket pitch.
Contour and level the oval to new design.
Installation of new concrete cricket pitch.
Irrigation renewal/replacement.
Returf oval.
For your safety, parts of the area will be fenced off, beginning soon. Signage is being installed advising of access issues. These are important infrastructure works that we must undertake. We apologise for any inconvenience. Residents and visitors who have any concerns are invited to contact us by calling 9339 9339 or by sending an email to admin@eastfremantle.wa.gov.au