THE FUTURE OF FREMANTLE OVAL

 

Fremantle Council’s Strategic Planning and Transport Committee will be looking at an update for the City’s Fremantle Oval Precinct Masterplan, so below a few details of it.

The announcement this week by the WA State Government that the new police station will be built on the former Stan Reilly site next to Fremantle Oval will have an impact on the masterplan.

Key Principles

Given the complexities of the site (as well as the neighbouring hospital site) it is unlikely that a single masterplan can be produced in the near future that ‘fixes’ all issues and establishes a clear process for funding and delivery. In order to assist with the future project planning as well as establishing the priorities for the precinct, a Key Principles Diagram has been developed as a first step. In summary, the key elements are:

0. 0. 1. Upgrade the Fremantle Oval for football.
      2. Improve pedestrian entry areas/axis points.
      3. Improve pedestrian/cycling permeability.
      4. Create clear, new major access points into precinct.
      5. Protect and improve the heritage setting of the Fremantle Prison.
      6. Concentrate future potential development at south end.
      7. Primary land uses-with football as the primary focus, other mainland uses which will be encouraged within the precinct include residential, sports administration, community/cultural and public car-parking.

The Key Principles Diagram has drawn extensively from an analysis and understanding of place, in particular, the historical evolution of the precinct.

Next Steps

Following the adoption of high-level key principles, the next phase will be the preparation of urban design / development scenarios that explore a range of potential spatial options that respond to key principles. The Scenarios will focus on the following elements:

Football – PublicOpen Space

• Opportunities and constraints of upgrading the oval in order to host AFL women games, pre-season AFL games, as well as night TV broadcast of football.

• Opportunities and constraints of accommodating two football clubs.

• Finalising size, orientation and location of oval to enable other facilities planning and funding opportunities to advance.

• Retaining oval–and surrounding open space-as a public open space with amenities to support a range of community uses, events and activities.

• Exploring options for improving the public realm-amenities, movement options, servicing requirements, landscaping – and interfaces between the oval/ football and the other uses and destinations within or in close proximity to the precinct such as Fremantle Prison.

• Carpark scenarios with short/long term arrangements.

• Future uses within the precinct in consideration of the City’s strategic directions.

• Future built form development–height and building mass- around the oval and the rest of the precinct in consideration of the Fremantle Prison buffer zone.

The scenarios would be presented back to council to enable discussion around the pros and cons of various approaches. The purpose of the scenarios would not be about selecting a fixed masterplan, but to explore options and stimulate a conversation with stakeholders and the community.

Roel Loopers

 

FREO BLOGGER REFUSED ENTRY TO FREMANTLE OVAL DOCKERS WOMEN GAME

 

I thought it would be nice to take some photos of the community ambience at the first AFLW Fremantle Dockers women’s game at Fremantle Oval today, but was refused entry because one of my lenses, a 300mm, was deemed too long in focal length without receiving AFL approval to use it.

All I wanted to do is a nice series of photos of people enjoying themselves, the new chill out deck, that is sponsored by the City of Fremantle, and some footy action, but alas I was not allowed to do so and returned home. That’s disappointing.

Roel Loopers

 

SO MUCH ON OFFER IN FREO TODAY!

 

 

It’s going to be busy in gorgeous Fremantle today, with something on offer for everyone.

The St Jerome Laneway Festival is on the Esplanade from 10am till 9pm, and the first game of the season is on for the women Fremantle Dockers footy team against Geelong at Fremantle Oval. This is a free event!

At the Fremantle Arts Centre the free courtyard music session is on from 2-4pm with Harry James Angus, and there are some very good new art exhibitions on show as well.

From 4pm it is time to head out to Victoria Quay for  the free Sunset Dub Club and Food Trucks at B Shed with DJ’s, food, bar, silent disco for the kids, etc.

And just down the road at the Maritime Museum is the also free Harbour Sundays music event from 4pm. Both events are great to also watch the sunset and the activities in the port.

The sun is out, the humidity gone, so enjoy the Freo lifestyle!

Roel Loopers

LOUNGEROOM COMFORT AT FREMANTLE DOCKERS WOMEN GAMES

 

 

The City of Fremantle has partnered with the Fremantle Dockers to create a very comfy new fan experience at AFLW games at Fremantle Oval this season.

The Visit Fremantle Chillout Deck will give Freo supporters the chance to lay back on artificial lawn and lounge furniture while enjoying the best seat in the house on the raised and shaded deck at the southern end of the oval. 

Food and beverages will be available for purchase on the deck, with exclusive giveaways on offer for some lucky Freo fans.

There will also be free icy poles for the kids, face painting, giant Jenga and other lawn games on offer.

Entry to all AFLW games at Fremantle Oval this season is free, but access to the deck is first-come first-in and capacity is limited, so fans are advised to arrive early to secure their spot.

The female Dockers had a great season last year, with six wins from seven games, so we can expect a great game this Sunday.

The Visit Fremantle Chillout Deck kicks off this Sunday, when Fremantle take on Geelong in their first game of the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s competition. Gates open at 1.10pm.

The car park inside Fremantle Oval, car park 16 on Parry Street and the Cappuccino Strip car park on South Terrace will be closed to the general public.

Fremantle’s other AFLW matches at Fremantle Oval this season are against Collingwood on 22 February, Brisbane on 8 March and Melbourne on 22 March.

I’ll see you all there!

Roel Loopers

FREO RECLINK COMMUNITY CUP IS ON

 

 

The Fremantle RECLINK COMMUNITY CUP will be played this coming Saturday October 5 at the Fremantle Community Bank Oval, better known as Fremantle Oval.

The Newshounds vs Bandgropers match is a fundraiser for Reclink Australia.

It starts at 12 noon. Check out Facebook for more details.

 

Roel Loopers

CONFUSING CONFIDENTIALITY AT FREMANTLE COUNCIL

 

Although I have been closely following what goes on at Fremantle Council for over ten years I am still not sure why certain agenda items are considered to be confidential, and the public is excluded from attending the deliberations about them, while other similar topics remain open to the public and are not considered confidential.

On Wednesday the license agreement with the South Fremantle Football Club is a confidential item, but the license agreement for the public golf course is not.

Commercial confidentiality can hardly be the reason as there are no other clubs queuing up to lease Fremantle Oval, especially since the East Fremantle Football Club has decided to stay at East Fremantle Oval and not share Fremantle Oval with the South Fremantle footy club.

So what are the reasons for making an agenda item confidential in Fremantle?

Also confidential at the Ordinary Council meeting this coming Wednesday is a report about the Summer Event Series at Port Beach and another confidential report about a Port Beach Music/Lifestyle event. But the Winter Festival on the Esplanade was not a confidential item. Why?

Plus there is also the confidential report about the performance of the Chief Executive Officer.

Roel Loopers

 

DRAFT VISION FOR EAST FREMANTLE OVAL PROJECT

 

The Town of East Fremantle has published a draft vision report for the East Fremantle Oval Precinct Revitalisation Project.

See it all here: https://www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au/Profiles/eastfremantle/Assets/ClientData/Documents/Governance/PUBLIC_CONSULTATION__East_Freo_OvalPrecinct_VisionReportFeb2019_LR_.pdf

 

CONSENSUS STATEMENTS TO GUIDE REVITALISATION (PRINCIPLES)

•The precinct should be revitalised

•A community and sporting space that is open to all

•An inter-generational, inter-connected open space

•A sporting precinct – with or without WAFL games

•Preference to retain the entire precinct as a Class A Reserve

•Affordable and equitable revitalisation with multiple funding options

•Improve physical and visual accessibility into the precinct

•Create shared facilities that meet the needs of clubs and community

•Preference to retain the social heritage of existing clubs

•Maximise use of existing areas, and better utilise underused space

 

There are two vision concepts with Vision Concept 1 Opening The Park, which supports to retain the current functional arrangements on site with the least/minimal intervention and extensive landscaping.

Vision Concept 2 Community Hub, supports the oval as a community hub in the heart of the precinct, surrounded by parklands which maximise connectivity, and visual aesthetic to all boundaries.

East Fremantle Council has stated it prefers the East Fremantle Football Club to stay at the oval and not as was flagged move to  Fremantle Oval and share facilities and playing ground with the South Fremantle Football Club.

Roel Loopers

 

SOUTH FREO FOOTY WOMEN NEED VOLUNTEERS

 

Volunteers required for our mighty South Fremantle Football Club’s Women’s Teams.

A variety of positions with plenty of rewards in return.

We are well known as a Club that commits to our Volunteers, Players and Members…a Family Club.

We welcome anyone that is generous enough to volunteer their time for a couple of hours or a day here and there.

Working With Children Card is essential and we can assist you in obtaining that.

DOCKERS WOMEN PLAY AT FREMANTLE OVAL ON SUNDAY

 

 

The first game of the season for the female Fremantle Dockers team last week was a huge success and a big win for our ladies, so head out to Fremantle Oval this Sunday to support them when they play Collingwood.

Entry is free and the game starts just after 3pm, so let’s create a big crowd of supporters!

Roel Loopers

MAD DOGS AND BATHERS BEACH FOOTBALL

 

 

It was officially 39 degrees when I took the photo of the Beach Football at Fremantle’s Bathers Beach today. It was probably hotter with the reflective heat of the sand, but that did not deter the male soccer players today, and the female ones played yesterday.

It is dead quiet in town and about a million vacant parking bays, so take advantage of it. ; > )

It is hot but very dry with little humidity so perfect weather for me.

Roel Loopers