North Fremantle’s Deus Ex Machina has been given approval for a small bar.
Camera IconNorth Fremantle’s Deus Ex Machina has been given approval for a small bar. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Clothing store gets approval for small bar

Aaron CorlettFremantle Gazette

INTERNATIONALLY recognised clothing brand Deus Ex Machina have gained approval to open a small bar at its North Fremantle store.

City of Fremantle councillors ticked off on a change of use application for the Queen Victoria Street building at last week’s meeting but it was not without controversy.

Several people, including nearby businesses workers, cited a severe shortfall in car parking in the area.

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Deus Ex Machina proposes only four on-site parking bays, which is far less than the 21 required under the City’s planning policies.

Mayor Brad Pettitt had his amendment approved for the council to later consider a special area rate for the North Fremantle town centre to be considered in the 2020-21 draft budget, effectively to help cover the cost of providing additional public parking in the area.

The special area rate would be intended to take into account existing parking provided by businesses in the town centre.

Several councillors conceded that parking in North Fremantle had been a long-time issue and something the council had not dealt with.

Representatives from Deus Ex Machina and the arts community spoke in favour of the change, pointing to the company’s ability to provide for artistic endeavours.

A council officer’s report noted that several other businesses also had a shortfall in parking and there were only 64 parking bays located within 200m of the Deus Ex Machina store.