Draft West End Heritage Area Policy and Potential Scheme Amendment

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Consultation has concluded.

Council gave final approval of Local Planning Policy 3.21 at its November 2020 meeting. The policy was formally adopted on 11 December 2020, and now forms part of the City’s planning policy manual.


We're seeking feedback on a draft local planning policy (LPP) for the West End Heritage Area. We're also seeking input on a potential amendment to the City's local planning scheme relating to upper storey setbacks in the West End.

Located in the Fremantle City Centre the West End is widely considered to be one of the most significant and intact historical heritage precincts in Western Australia and was State Heritage-listed in 2017. We are proposing changes to our planning framework to ensure that the West End Heritage Area retains its heritage significance and character while allowing new land uses and re-use of these buildings as an important part of Fremantle's city centre.


Images courtesy of Fremantle City Library History Centre

The precinct includes properties fronting Phillimore Street, the rail line parallel to Little High Street, Marine Terrace and Collie Street and Market Street.


Draft policy

The draft policy outlines design criteria for new development on private land in the West End (including changes to existing buildings) and replaces existing policies from the 1990s. The policy details why the West End is important from a heritage conservation perspective and is broken up into urban design themes.

For further information, please download the Information Pack, and read the draft policy in full. You can also find both of these documents in the document library to the right.


Potential scheme amendment

We are also seeking feedback on a potential amendment to the Local Planning Scheme.

At present, the scheme requires that new development above the third storey (or 11 metres in height) must be set back out of view from the street. We are seeking feedback on a proposal to remove this requirement, as it is not consistent with the traditional building form in the West End and has not been successful in many instances. There would be no change to other existing height requirements, and more details are included in the Information Pack.

On the left, an example of an upper floor with the required setback. On the right, is the traditional streetscape form.


We encourage you to read both the Information Pack and the draft policy before sharing your thoughts with us in the survey below by 5:00 pm Monday 7 September. These documents are available in the document library to the right.

You can also drop-in to our Talk to a Planner session at the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery (main gallery) any time between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Wednesday 26 August 2020 to ask questions and tell us your thoughts.


We're seeking feedback on a draft local planning policy (LPP) for the West End Heritage Area. We're also seeking input on a potential amendment to the City's local planning scheme relating to upper storey setbacks in the West End.

Located in the Fremantle City Centre the West End is widely considered to be one of the most significant and intact historical heritage precincts in Western Australia and was State Heritage-listed in 2017. We are proposing changes to our planning framework to ensure that the West End Heritage Area retains its heritage significance and character while allowing new land uses and re-use of these buildings as an important part of Fremantle's city centre.


Images courtesy of Fremantle City Library History Centre

The precinct includes properties fronting Phillimore Street, the rail line parallel to Little High Street, Marine Terrace and Collie Street and Market Street.


Draft policy

The draft policy outlines design criteria for new development on private land in the West End (including changes to existing buildings) and replaces existing policies from the 1990s. The policy details why the West End is important from a heritage conservation perspective and is broken up into urban design themes.

For further information, please download the Information Pack, and read the draft policy in full. You can also find both of these documents in the document library to the right.


Potential scheme amendment

We are also seeking feedback on a potential amendment to the Local Planning Scheme.

At present, the scheme requires that new development above the third storey (or 11 metres in height) must be set back out of view from the street. We are seeking feedback on a proposal to remove this requirement, as it is not consistent with the traditional building form in the West End and has not been successful in many instances. There would be no change to other existing height requirements, and more details are included in the Information Pack.

On the left, an example of an upper floor with the required setback. On the right, is the traditional streetscape form.


We encourage you to read both the Information Pack and the draft policy before sharing your thoughts with us in the survey below by 5:00 pm Monday 7 September. These documents are available in the document library to the right.

You can also drop-in to our Talk to a Planner session at the Moores Building Contemporary Art Gallery (main gallery) any time between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Wednesday 26 August 2020 to ask questions and tell us your thoughts.


Consultation has concluded.

Council gave final approval of Local Planning Policy 3.21 at its November 2020 meeting. The policy was formally adopted on 11 December 2020, and now forms part of the City’s planning policy manual.


  • Council Resolution - Local Planning Policy and Scheme Amendment

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    At its meeting held on Wednesday 25 November 2020, the City of Fremantle Council resolved to adopt Local Planning Policy 3.21 - West End Heritage Area. The new policy will come into effect upon publication of a notice in the Fremantle Herald, scheduled for Friday 11 December 2020.

    Council also resolved to initiate a scheme amendment to remove the mandatory upper floor setback requirement for buildings in the West End which exceed 3 storeys and 11 metres in height. Further details of this scheme amendment will be published on this website once a response from the Environmental Protection Authority on the amendment has been received by the City. The scheme amendment will involve its own community consultation, which is anticipated to be undertaken in the first quarter of 2021.

    For full details of the Council's decision on the local planning policy, you can view the Council meeting minutes from 25 November 2020 via the Document Library on this page.

  • Council Meeting - 25 November 2020

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    After consideration at the Strategic Planning and Transport Committee meeting on 18 November 2020, the draft policy and potential scheme amendment will be considered at the Ordinary Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday 25 November 2020. The meeting commences at 6 pm at the North Fremantle Community Hall and is open to the public. The meeting agenda can be viewed on the Agendas and Minutes page of the City's website.

  • Community engagement outcomes

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    The engagement findings have been compiled and you can download a copy of the report here. An item related to this project will be considered by Committee on Wednesday 18 November followed by Ordinary Council on Wednesday 25 November 2020.

    We received 24 submissions and spoke to around 25-30 people at the Talk to a Planner information session. We know that the West End is a unique, beautiful and special area highly valued by the community. There is strong community support for preserving the heritage of the area and for ensuring good quality, sensitive design.

    Many respondents agreed in principle with the objectives of the policy, however there were differing views on whether the proposed policy would be able to achieve these objectives. A number of respondents wanted to see more images and examples used and for more clarity to be provided in certain areas.

    There were differing views on the proposed potential scheme amendment, with some in support of removing the setback requirement and many opposed. There was some confusion about this aspect and general concern around building height and additional storeys.

    In response to the feedback received, a series of changes to the policy have been proposed to provide clarity and make the document more user friendly. The changes are outlined in the agenda item and a copy of the proposed policy is available in the agenda attachments.

    Please read the Community Engagement Report for more details of the input received. To read the agenda item, visit the City's agendas and minutes page here.



  • Committee Meeting - November 2020

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    An item relating to the draft local planning policy and potential scheme amendment will be considered by the Strategic Planning & Transport Committee on Wednesday 18 November 2020. This meeting is open to the public and commences at the North Fremantle Community Hall, located at No. 2 Thompson Road, North Fremantle at 6.00pm.

    Copies of the agenda, including the report and any attachments for the abovementioned item, are available for viewing by close of business Friday 13 November 2020. The agenda may be downloaded from the City’s website or can be viewed at the City Library located on the ground floor of the council offices at the Fremantle Oval, 70 Parry Street, Fremantle, during normal library hours.