The Freo Alternative (Local Planning Scheme Amendment No. 63)

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Consultation has concluded

Approved by the Minister for Planning and Transport - February 2019

In March 2018 the City of Fremantle Council gave its final approval to the ‘Freo Alternative - Big Thinking about Small Housing’, formally known as Local Planning Scheme Amendment No. 63. The changes to the City's planning scheme aim to facilitate a wider choice of housing in Fremantle’s suburban areas, whilst still maintaining what people value about their neighbourhoods. The map below provides an overview of the areas included as part of this scheme amendment.

On 12 February 2019, the new planning scheme provisions for Freo Alternative were officially gazetted after being signed off by the Minister for Planning. These provisions now form part of the Local Planning Scheme. The areas where these new requirements apply are indicated on the Scheme Map as Special Control Area 5.7 (SCA 5.7), highlighted in blue on the map above. For more detailed mapping information, visit the City's Mapping website and then click on the 'Planning' toggle on the left-hand-side to view the special control areas which are outlined in red.

Amendment No. 63 represents a fresh approach to infill housing in suburban areas. It provides an alternative option to landowners, without impacting or changing the current zoning or residential density. This means that development opportunities available under the existing zoning and density (R-Code) still apply to landowners.

The provisions apply in specific sections of White Gum Valley, Hilton, O'Connor, Beaconsfield and Fremantle. In general, the provisions include:

  • Only applies to lots larger than 600 square metres and located within Special Control Area 5.7.
  • New dwelling(s) shall have a maximum floor area of 120 square metres.
  • Maximum of three dwellings on lots of 750 square metres or less.
  • Minimum of 30 square metres of outdoor living area per dwelling.
  • Developments to have higher than standard energy efficiency ratings.
  • Minimum 70 per cent of the entire development site to be open space, with some variation allowed to 60 per cent open space.
  • At least one mature tree to be retained or planted on site.
  • A maximum of one parking bay per dwelling.
  • All developments to be referred to the City’s Design Advisory Committee to consider design quality.

The flow chart below provides a broad overview of the Freo Alternative development requirements, which includes a new clause in the Local Planning Scheme, a new Local Planning Policy, as well as provisions within existing local planning policies and the Residential Design Codes of WA (R-Codes). This flow chart can also be downloaded as a PDF via the Document Library on the right-hand-side of this page.

A 5 year sunset clause applies to Freo Alternative provisions, meaning they will no longer form part of the City's planning scheme after 12 February 2024.


For more information see the Document library for:

  • Local Planning Policy 3.20 - supplements the provisions contained within Clause 5.7 of LPS4
  • Summary Booklet and relevant background information on the progress made to-date

Approved by the Minister for Planning and Transport - February 2019

In March 2018 the City of Fremantle Council gave its final approval to the ‘Freo Alternative - Big Thinking about Small Housing’, formally known as Local Planning Scheme Amendment No. 63. The changes to the City's planning scheme aim to facilitate a wider choice of housing in Fremantle’s suburban areas, whilst still maintaining what people value about their neighbourhoods. The map below provides an overview of the areas included as part of this scheme amendment.

On 12 February 2019, the new planning scheme provisions for Freo Alternative were officially gazetted after being signed off by the Minister for Planning. These provisions now form part of the Local Planning Scheme. The areas where these new requirements apply are indicated on the Scheme Map as Special Control Area 5.7 (SCA 5.7), highlighted in blue on the map above. For more detailed mapping information, visit the City's Mapping website and then click on the 'Planning' toggle on the left-hand-side to view the special control areas which are outlined in red.

Amendment No. 63 represents a fresh approach to infill housing in suburban areas. It provides an alternative option to landowners, without impacting or changing the current zoning or residential density. This means that development opportunities available under the existing zoning and density (R-Code) still apply to landowners.

The provisions apply in specific sections of White Gum Valley, Hilton, O'Connor, Beaconsfield and Fremantle. In general, the provisions include:

  • Only applies to lots larger than 600 square metres and located within Special Control Area 5.7.
  • New dwelling(s) shall have a maximum floor area of 120 square metres.
  • Maximum of three dwellings on lots of 750 square metres or less.
  • Minimum of 30 square metres of outdoor living area per dwelling.
  • Developments to have higher than standard energy efficiency ratings.
  • Minimum 70 per cent of the entire development site to be open space, with some variation allowed to 60 per cent open space.
  • At least one mature tree to be retained or planted on site.
  • A maximum of one parking bay per dwelling.
  • All developments to be referred to the City’s Design Advisory Committee to consider design quality.

The flow chart below provides a broad overview of the Freo Alternative development requirements, which includes a new clause in the Local Planning Scheme, a new Local Planning Policy, as well as provisions within existing local planning policies and the Residential Design Codes of WA (R-Codes). This flow chart can also be downloaded as a PDF via the Document Library on the right-hand-side of this page.

A 5 year sunset clause applies to Freo Alternative provisions, meaning they will no longer form part of the City's planning scheme after 12 February 2024.


For more information see the Document library for:

  • Local Planning Policy 3.20 - supplements the provisions contained within Clause 5.7 of LPS4
  • Summary Booklet and relevant background information on the progress made to-date
Consultation has concluded
  • The Game of (Freo) Life

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    The Game of Freo LIFE will be running in our pop-up lounge in Many 6160 (former MYER building) from 3 - 6 November 10:00am - 5:00pm.

    Show us how you'd like to design Freo's housing future! You set the planning rules and we encourage you to be creative with your design for small housing development on a typical Freo suburban lot. Drop-in to share your ideas with us and see how others have responded to the challenge.
  • The Freo Alternative Focus Groups

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    Thank you to everyone who attended a focus group to discuss changing planning rules to provide more housing options for a growing number of small households in our community.

    It's been valuable hearing what housing diversity means for you and about what values you want to inform future planning policy.

    A report on the outcomes of the focus groups will be available on this site soon.

  • Dialouge Cafe outcomes

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    The first phase of Freo Alternative engagement took place in September with 76 people contributing to the values and principles that will guide the development of future planning policy, both in person at the Dialogue Cafe and via the online survey. Read the community engagement report here.

    This valuable feedback will help inform the focus group discussions.


  • Dialogue Cafe held on 8th September

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    Thank you to everyone who shared their ideas for providing diverse housing for a changing community at the Dialogue Café in the Fremantle Town Hall. We are currently in the process of reviewing your thoughts and responses.

    If you missed the event, you can still contribute your thoughts on the Freo Alternative survey.

  • We’d love to hear your story

    Share We’d love to hear your story on Facebook Share We’d love to hear your story on Twitter Share We’d love to hear your story on Linkedin Email We’d love to hear your story link

    Do you live in a small house? Would a small house be a good fit for you or someone you know?

    We're looking at how smaller housing types can be provided in Fremantle and are keen to hear from people willing to share stories about their housing choices and lifestyle needs for housing. Your stories will to help us better understand what individuals, families and other households might be looking for in smaller housing types to inform a future planing approach to accommodate more diverse housing options.

    Complete the form