Fremantle business owners have put forward a series of proposals to breathe new life into the port city, with underground carparks, fewer vacant buildings, and a general cleanup emerging as key priorities. These ideas were presented during a discussion on the future of the Fremantle CBD, hosted by the Fremantle Network at The Local Hotel on April 28.
Economic Challenges Facing Fremantle
Local businesses are grappling with cost-of-living pressures, rising operating costs, insurance premiums, staffing shortages, and global economic uncertainty. Additionally, they have been warned of a potential downturn in trade from international visitors due to recent political tensions.
Key Speakers and Their Proposals
The event featured presentations from several prominent figures, including Fremantle Chamber of Commerce chairman and Benny’s Bar & Cafe owner Ivan Dzeba, Melanie Clark from Remedy Store, Dhruv Grover from Lucky Elephant, and Sarah Booth, the 2024 community citizen of the year and a Churchill fellow. Ms Booth spent six weeks in Europe last year on a study tour for her Churchill fellowship, investigating solutions to commercial vacancy.
Sarah Booth's Vision for Fremantle
Ms Booth advocated for moving carparks underground to capitalise on Fremantle's walkable nature. “Currently, in our tiny city with excellent weather, 80 per cent of our residents are car-dependent for travel,” she said. “This must change because cars do not make a city attractive. And if Paris can do it, our tiny little city certainly can too. We need streets that are strollable. We need people to be able to cycle safely. And we need excellent public transport like CAT buses and trams.”
She also called for investment in beautification, including flowers, trees, shade, and seating, and urged accountability for owners of vacant buildings. “How can a business be expected to thrive when the property next door is filthy, empty and sad?” she asked. “We need to let some of our worst and longest-offending owners know that the time is up on holding our city hostage.”
Fremantle Port: A Missed Opportunity
Ms Booth described the Fremantle Port as a missed opportunity. “Essentially, it’s an enormous carpark where we should have markets, cultural centres, even a conference centre,” she said. “It’s right on the water. It eats our whole river waterfront. And I just think it has the potential to be contributing much more to our city.”
Protecting Independent Businesses
She emphasised that Fremantle’s retail and hospitality businesses set it apart from shopping centres. “Independent businesses and creativity are Fremantle’s treasure and they should be protected like treasure,” Ms Booth said. “The city of Paris owns 20 per cent of all retail holdings across the city and I would like to see the City of Fremantle extend its reach on the strategic purchasing of key retail sites throughout our centre to preserve the culture of our town. I would suggest the city sell off some of its underperforming or unmanageable assets and begin purchasing on the strip and then subsidising in the best local businesses we can attract.”
Despite the prevalence of vacant shops, Ms Booth noted strong interest in doing business in Fremantle. “Don’t let the vacant shops fool you. I know this because every time I put up a piazza opportunity on Instagram, I get at least two dozen responses,” she said.
Ivan Dzeba on Walkability and Presentation
Mr Dzeba stressed the need to encourage visitors to walk across Fremantle. “Sometimes you drive past South Freo and Friday afternoons The Local is full of people. South Beach Hotel is full of people. Percy Flint is full,” he said. “Then you go drive to South Terrace, there’s quite a few people there. You turn left on West End, there’s nobody there. We need better wayfinding, better street design, walking corridors, better bicycle paths, perhaps, even a few more parking spots for people that actually can’t ride bicycles into town that are coming from other suburbs with families.”
He agreed that Fremantle needed to improve its appearance by fixing potholes, improving lighting, and cleaning streets. “If people perceive that the place is dirty and unsafe, guess what? They’re not going to come,” Mr Dzeba said.
Dhruv Grover's Call for Signature Experiences
Mr Grover suggested that Fremantle consider night markets and creating a signature experience, such as a festival of cultures. “Each street or precinct like the West End could represent a different culture or a different theme,” he said. “It’s just not about attracting people. It’s about creating a reason for them to return, connect and feel part of Fremantle.”
Melanie Clark on Vacant Properties and Financial Support
Ms Clark, who is also a City of Fremantle councillor but spoke as a business owner, argued that commercial property owners should not benefit from leaving buildings empty. “We can’t accept the financial deficit that these buildings bring to our town anymore. It’s just not acceptable,” she said.
She also proposed that the State Government introduce low-interest, low-deposit loans to enable business owners to buy their own buildings and create a safety net for businesses affected by construction works. “When the Government comes to town and wants to put pipes in the ground and close the street down or it wants to build a bridge and shut down North Fremantle, there should be a financial safety net for all of the businesses there,” Ms Clark said. “So when they can prove that they have taken a big dive and they are hurting and they are otherwise normally sustainable businesses, they can immediately put in and say ‘here’s our accountant’s numbers for you, all signed off. Give me the cheque’.”
Chamber of Commerce CEO's Concerns
The event was MCed by Fremantle Chamber of Commerce CEO Chrissie Maus, who acknowledged the difficulties faced by local businesses. “Not just because of the world economy and the Middle East but because the economic winds are here and they get to Fremantle and they get here fast,” she said. “I’ve gone through COVID. I did it in Melbourne at Chapel Street. I think now what I’m seeing economically is as bad as that. I don’t say that lightly because I would never want to go back there.”
