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Fremantle council recommends J-Shed development after emotional sitting

Leah RobertsFremantle Gazette

EMOTIONS ran high on Wednesday night after Fremantle councillors and Mayor Brad Pettittrecommended the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC) approve the J-Shed development.

The recommendation was narrowly passed five-four.

Previously the lease was changed to reduce the patron capacity to a maximum of 300 and reduce the size of the lease by 40 per cent.

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An amendment was passed to protect the Melaleuca lanceolata trees.

City ward councillor Adin Lang introduced an amendment to limit the number of patrons to 120 people but it was not passed.

East ward councillor Jenny Archibaldsaid she did not support the J-Shed proposal.

“I think there are better ways to use that shed and still activate the space,” she said.

South ward councillor Andrew Sullivanwho supported the J-Shed proposal said he wanted the public to use the area.

Hilton ward councillor Jeff McDonald,who voted against the proposal, said that from a community and public health perspective the proposal was not necessarily right.

“The area is calm, the area is a benefit to our mental health and well being,” he said.

Mayor Brad Pettittsaid he supported the officers’ recommendation and agreed with councillors that it was a great spot.

“This application covers less than three per cent of this reserve, we should work around keeping a special part of Fremantle special,” he said.

There were more than 25 public questions on the issue where the majority spoke against the proposal.

One member of the public was asked to leave the chambers after swearing at councillors.

The WAPC will make a decision on the application development in due course.

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