DRAFT SUBMISSION TO RATIONALISATION OF STIRLING HIGHWAY RESERVATION
The Fremantle Society, representing 395 members of the wider Fremantle community, strongly objects to the proposed widening of Stirling Highway at North Fremantle. The current plans would involve the demolition of several heritage-listed properties and seriously affect others.
The North Fremantle town centre has a unique appeal that should and can be retained if the proposed plans are modified.
The Fremantle Society supports the broad aims of the Draft MRS Amendment 1210/41 in encouraging greater use of public transport by providing efficient bus lanes, and safe bike lanes on Stirling Highway.
The Draft Amendment however does not comply with the spirit of Directions 2031 which states that “we should grow within the constraints placed on us by the environment in which we live” and that we should “protect our natural and built environments and scarce resources”
QUEEN VICTORIA STREET to ALFRED ROAD – Plan 1.7151 and Plan 1.7221
Town Centre
The parts of North Fremantle that abut Stirling Highway are some of the older and more interesting parts of the Stirling Highway corridor, containing many buildings on the State and Municipal Heritage Lists. New residential developments in Northbank and the renovation of the suburb’s old houses have seen more people living in the area and have contributed to a revitalisation of the Town Centre. Many small businesses have established themselves in Queen Victoria Street and with Council encouragement there are plans for more small bars and restaurants. It has become a much frequented centre.
There is an alternative option for Queen Victoria St. The street could become a pedestrian and bus priority road where only local traffic would be allowed and the speed limit could be reduced to e.g. 40Km/hr. Alternatively this could also only be implemented during peak hour traffic.
Cars could be directed to turn right at Tydeman Rd to continue north up Stirling Highway. Alternatively, it could become one-way, having a single car or bus lane travelling in one direction and one lane for bikes (a single two-way bike lane which was grade-separated for added safety). A Principal Shared Path is planned to follow the railway line to link up with that already existing north of Cottesloe. This, together with a single bike lane on the carriagway, is a realistic option.
Lot 1 Queen Victoria St is an important group of shops on the Fremantle Heritage List. Adopting the above recommendations for Queen Victoria Street will avoid the need for including this site in the road reserve. Alternatively, one of the two lanes at this intersection (Jackson St) could serve as a bus lane, thus avoiding the need for resumption.
Alfred Road Intersection
Similarly, the Alfred Rd intersection (Plan 1.7221) appears excessive, doubling in size, and affecting several heritage properties. Alfred Road feeds traffic from parts of North Fremantle that has seen much development in recent years. There is no vacant land left for development and it is unlikely there are many blocks where infill might occur. Traffic entering or leaving Stirling Highway will thus not increase markedly in years to come. It seems highly unlikely the intersection will need all the planned additionally lanes. A better solution must be found to protect five substantial heritage properties.
BEND OF RESERVE 9403 TO ALFRED ROAD- Plan 1.7150
The Society supports the City of Fremantle’s suggestion that the road reservation on the eastern side of Stirling Highway be removed by moving the entire reservation westward to occupy some of the railway reserve land.
CONCLUSION
Although the Fremantle Society supports a plan for increased use of public transport and bike paths, it should not be achieved without due regard to the communities affected and our Heritage places, both on the State Heritage List or the Municipal List. Directions 2031 plans for people to live in communities that provide work, shopping and social opportunities so there is less need to travel. The community of North Fremantle, as with many of the communities along Stirling Highway, has a busy heritage precinct. Having the threat of resumption hanging over the Town Centre and a large number of houses along Stirling Highway will adversely affect the viability of the town centre and the future development of this area.
We also suggest the improvement of the public transport system with more train carriages on the Fremantle-Perth line during peak hours and a future light rail link.
Roel Loopers
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