WE LOVE LIVING IN FREMANTLE

Place Score, the biggest Australian social research survey has released their data for this year about the most liveable cities, according to their residents.

In Western Australia Fremantle ranked fourth for liveability, behind Subiaco, Vincent and Cambridge.

No doubt, that many of us here in Freo, including this blogger, might just wonder what is so great about the top three. 🥰

It is true though, that those of us who live here often have a whinge about minor things, whilst those who visit love Fremantle. I chatted with a couple from the Gold Coast yesterday, who had been in our city for five days, and they told me that they are constantly amazed at how beautiful Freo is.

If only we appreciated more what a special and unique place we live in.

Roel Loopers

PROPOSED ARTS CENTRE PRECINCT PARKING RESTRICTIONS

The proposed parking solution for the Arts Centre Precinct is now open for comment from residents in the affected area.

The City of Fremantle is aware of how long-term unrestricted parking in the area has become problematic for residents on and around Tuckfield Street, Skinner Street and Burt Street.

The proposal will implement two-hour time restrictions on Tuckfield and portions of Burt, Skinner and Finnerty Streets.

All residents in the precinct will become eligible for parking permits.

For more info visit: https://bit.ly/3HOU08X

Roel Loopers

A PRECINCT VOICE FOR FREO’S INNER CITY

The renewed South City Precinct Group is kicking off again with its first meeting this Wednesday 4 May, 5–8pm at the Walyalup Civic Centre (Moodjar Reception Room, Level 1).

Everyone is welcome to attend and engage on a range of local topics.

This is good news, as many inner city residents have not felt represented by FICRA, that only appears to be interested replacing anyone on Fremantle Council with Liberal party candidates. FICRA is rarely active throughout the year and only surfaces before elections. That was very different when Rob Harrison was the excellent convenor.

But why is the precinct group named South City Precinct Group? There is already a South Fremantle Precinct Group, so the name is confusing and should be changed to City Centre Precinct Group.

Anyhow, I’ll be there to have a listen and see who is running the group.

Roel Loopers

UPDATE!!!!!!!The City of Fremantle just advised me this meeting has been postponed!

CHECK OUT STREETS OF FREO!

There is a lot of research going on in 16 High Street in Fremantle’s historic West End, where artist Jo Darbyshire and volunteers are working on the http://www.streetsoffreo.com.au website. Check it out and see if you can support them with information about the former occupants of buildings, etc.

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE CARD CONSIDERED FOR RESIDENTS

The City of Fremantle will investigate options for the introduction of a Fremantle Card that will offer Fremantle ratepayers discounts on City services and facilities.

At the Ordinary Council meeting on Wednesday night Council supported a motion put forward by Councillor Hannah Fitzhardinge to explore the potential for such a card.

Cr Fitzhardinge said the Fremantle Card would be an acknowledgement of the contribution ratepayers already make to supporting the many services offered by the City.

“Fremantle is a vibrant regional centre which provides a wide variety of services to our local community as well as visitors from across Perth and around the world,” Cr Fitzhardinge said.

“Many of these services are funded through rates provided by the local community and also through a user service charge, like the entry fee to the Fremantle Leisure Centre.

“The Fremantle Card could be a physical card, or it could be some other technology-based solution.

“Introducing a discount card for Fremantle ratepayers to use when accessing City of Fremantle services would acknowledge the contribution already being made to provide the service and offer a benefit to the ratepayer.”

The motion adopted by the council requested the Chief Executive Officer to research issues including how and where a Fremantle Card could be used, what benefits it could provide to ratepayers and the costs associated with the development and implementation of the card.

The investigation will consider the cost benefit analysis and business case for implementing ratepayer discount card and outline the process, systems and governance surrounding the possible use of such a card.

Roel Loopers

FREMANTLE ANNUAL ELECTORS MEETING

 

An advanced notice that the Fremantle Annual General Meeting of Electors will be held this coming Wednesday, February 21, at the Fremantle Townhall at 6pm.

It will be followed at 7pm by the Strategy and Project Development Committee.

Have your say!

 

Roel Loopers

JOIN FREMANTLE SOUTH CITY PRECINCT

 

 

Do you or friends live in this area and would be interested in joining the South City precinct group? 

They will meet this Thursday February 15 from 7pm at the Fremantle Primary School (Science Rooms). There is plenty to discuss!

Roel Loopers

 

FREE FREMANTLE RESIDENT PARKING POPULAR

 

 

I have been calling for better communication by the City of Fremantle for a while, because the good stories have to be told as they don’t seem to reach residents and ratepayers, but the latest media release about parking is a strange one.

Free After 3 parking is being embraced by the community, the media release states and that before its introduction last month only 81 residents’ parking permits were issued in July, but in August 202 and in September 265.

The problem with the statement is that it is factually wrong and that Free After 3 was not introduced last month, as it has been going on for many years. I’ve got eight parking permit stickers on my windscreen to prove it!

The only changes that were made last month is that free parking after 3pm and before 11 am for residents with parking permits now also applies on weekends.

Before the changes there was no free parking on Saturdays and there was only free parking with permit at the Beach Street carpark all day on Sunday.

What has been added, because of the Kings Square Project, is one-hour free parking at Queen and William streets and Paddy Troy Lane.

The election is over, but it is still important to get the facts right!

Roel Loopers

NEW FREO PARKING CONDITIONS FROM TODAY!

 

From the City of Fremantle.

Residents can look forward to simpler conditions for their free parking permit.

Effective today (Tuesday 1 August), new conditions will allow City of Fremantle residents to park for free at all standard on-street (kerbside) car parking bays during the following times (including public holidays):

• Valid Monday-Sunday (seven days per week):
° free parking from 9.00–11.00 am. Permit holders must abide
by the posted time limits (e.g. 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours).
° free parking from 3.00–5.00 pm. Permit holders must abide by
the posted time limits (e.g. 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours).
° free parking from 5.00 pm–1.00 am. Time restrictions do not
apply.

The only question left is why there is no free parking from 1am at night to 9am in the morning, but I doubt there will be any parking officers on the beat at those hours. ; >)

Roel Loopers

FICRA LACKING VISION

 

Mary Rose Baker, the convenor of the Fremantle Inner City Residents Association also spoke at the Fremantle Network event on Monday evening and said her talk had forced the members to focus on what FICRA’s visions and priorities are:

Preservation of significant heritage, support for compatible development, heritage preservation and restoration, preservation of green and public open space, support for Notre Dame University, support unique and distinct Fremantle enterprises and businesses, support for commercial development with good design, no mono-culture of cafes in the West End, security and public order, the City of Fremantle Design Advisory Panel should protect the heritage more.

FICRA is also against the planned tavern at J Shed on Arthur Head and prefers activation through arts and craft. It also supports an ocean pool at Bathers Beach.

I would have liked to hear a few more specific ideas on how to revitalise the West End, especially on weekends and evenings, as it is very much a ghost town during those periods, even when the Cappuccino Strip is full with people.

One thing mentioned on the night is a sign on the corner of Market and High streets to point out Bathers Beach and the diversity of specialty shops along High Street.

I personally am still hoping that one day there will be a small growers market straight under the Roundhouse at Little High Street on Saturday mornings, or an arts&craft market in front of the Pilot’s Cottages.

I would also like to see those cottages lit at night to make them a heritage feature and to deter anti-social behaviour at Arthur Head.

Other small events could be organised there and the Street Arts Festival should have a stage/pitch in that perfect location at Little High Street next to Chalkys cafe that looks like a roundabout

I was surprised to hear that FICRA does not want to attract the high numbers of visitors the Fishing Boat Harbour has to High Street, because families wandering around there window shopping and taking in the history of our city would create vibrancy.

As ANJEL MS fashion shop owner Gaelle Beech said during the event, we need to find a better word than the ACTIVATION buzzword and Fremantle Council and the community should specify what that actually means. E,g. 500 drunks leaving the new J Shed tavern might be considered activation by some, but a bloody nuisance by others.

Roel Loopers