Major Fremantle Hotel Development Receives Unanimous Approval
In a significant boost for Fremantle's urban landscape, Andrew Forrest's proposed $50 million hotel development has received unanimous backing from State planning authorities. The Metro Inner Development Assessment panel gave its full support to the project with a 5-0 vote during its November 4 meeting, clearing the path for construction to commence on the transformative six-storey building.
Transformational Project for Henderson Street
The development, located on Henderson Street, will feature 150 rooms across six storeys and is being managed by Spicer Street Pty Ltd. This company operates as a subsidiary of Fiveight, which serves as the property development division of the Forrest family's investment firm, Tattarang.
Panel presiding member Dale Page described the proposal as exceptional, stating it would be a "transformational development" for a site that has been desperately needing revitalisation. "It is a very high quality proposal for a site that in my view has been crying out for development," Ms Page remarked during the approval process.
Addressing Community Concerns and Parking
While the City of Fremantle council supported the project, it wasn't without community apprehension. During the consultation period, the city received 19 submissions, with 14 expressing opposition and only five in support. Primary concerns centred around the building's height and the notable absence of on-site parking facilities.
Ms Page addressed these concerns directly, noting that planning regulations permitted the building's proposed height and that six pages of the city's report specifically evaluated this aspect. "We have the discretion to approve the additional height and the additional height will have no undue impact on the surrounding area," she affirmed, adding that the current design represented an improvement over previously approved versions in both scale and presentation.
Fremantle councillor and panel member Andrew Sullivan supported this position, explaining that the city's policies have "long been" not overly concerned with requiring on-site parking for new developments. He pointed out that numerous existing hotels in Fremantle successfully utilize off-site parking solutions, including a large carpark directly opposite the proposed development site.
Another significant consideration involved the hotel's proximity to an established music venue, raising concerns about potential noise complaints affecting the area's renowned entertainment vibrancy. Cr Sullivan responded that hotel developers would need to exceed standard planning requirements if they wished to shield guests from the dynamic city atmosphere that defines Fremantle.
The unanimous approval marks a major milestone for the project, positioning it to become a landmark addition to Fremantle's hospitality and tourism sector while contributing to the ongoing urban renewal of the Henderson Street precinct.
