Fremantle Council Abandons Laneway Upgrade Following Landowner Opposition
The City of Fremantle has withdrawn from a proposed laneway upgrade after encountering significant resistance from property owners who would have been required to fund the improvements. The council voted decisively 8-1 against proceeding with the project during its March 11 meeting, effectively placing the responsibility back on the affected landowners.
Century-Old Laneway at Center of Funding Dispute
The laneway in question, located at 19F Lefroy Road, has served as a crucial access route between Lefroy Road and Jenkins Street for over a decade, with historical records indicating its existence since 1902. Despite providing vehicle and pedestrian access to 15 adjoining properties, the lane is officially deemed the responsibility of just two landowners under current arrangements.
City officers estimated the upgrade would cost approximately $170,000, with the council's policy requiring affected landowners to pay through a "specified area rate" while the city would handle ongoing maintenance. However, when consulted, more than half of the 15 affected property owners expressed opposition to both the upgrade and the associated financial burden.
Landowners Voice Frustration Over Maintenance Burden
Philip Stejskal, one of the two primary landowners, addressed the council before the vote, explaining that previous attempts to organize collective funding for maintenance had failed. He argued the proposal was "set up for failure" due to the high cost estimate, suggesting a safe and equitable solution could be achieved for significantly less money.
"We ultimately want this community asset to thrive," Mr Stejskal stated. "However, as the only two owners, we have real limitations as to what we can achieve in terms of cost and liability. We don't believe that it's balanced for just two owners out of 16 adjoining properties to be asked to maintain this community asset single-handedly."
Community Asset or Private Responsibility?
David Barr, the other primary landowner, highlighted the laneway's community value despite its deteriorating condition. "As two individual households, we're not in a position to maintain what effectively functions as public infrastructure," he told the council.
Mr Barr pointed to other local governments including Subiaco, Vincent, Stirling, and Victoria Park that maintain ownership of similar laneways. He emphasized the lane's social importance, noting it serves as a space where children play cricket and netball, neighbors socialize, dogs are walked, and community events like Christmas parties occur.
Consultation Reveals Deep Divisions
During the consultation process, submissions revealed starkly different perspectives on responsibility for the laneway. One resident described the lane as "a shocker" that has "been allowed to degrade for decades," with reports of injuries and garage flooding. They suggested the city should either take over the lane or restrict it to resident-only use.
Another submission called the proposed charge "obscene," questioning why the city couldn't fund the upgrade given its rates income from numerous approved subdivisions. A third took a contrasting view, arguing for a user-pays approach since property owners purchased blocks with the lane as their only access point.
Council Debate Highlights Policy Shortcomings
Councillor Andrew Sullivan emerged as the sole dissenter in the 8-1 vote, arguing that maintaining the laneway placed an unfair burden on the two landowners. He advocated for deferring the decision while exploring alternative options like cost-sharing arrangements.
"Unlike some laneways, this one really has a public interest in terms of thoroughfare," Cr Sullivan stated. "In terms of north-south movement through South Fremantle, this goat track is a really well-known thoroughfare for community and it's also active as a play space for kids."
He suggested a middle ground that didn't require full bituminization or lighting to road standards, criticizing the city's historical approach: "We know all the other local governments have dealt with it, but it's just 'we're Fremantle. We do it differently.'"
Policy Review Planned But Not Imminent
Councillor Jemima Williamson-Wong acknowledged that finding a solution would likely require planning and legal expertise but maintained it shouldn't be the city's responsibility. The council is scheduled to review its policy for right-of-ways, though CEO Glen Dougall cautioned this wouldn't be a "cheap and cheerful" process and wouldn't occur soon.
The decision leaves approximately 120 laneways across Fremantle in a policy limbo, with this particular access route continuing to deteriorate while landowners and the council remain at odds over who should bear the cost of essential upgrades.
