Fremantle: WAPC rejects J-Shed application

THE Western Australian Planning Commission has rejected the J-Shed proposal at Arthurs Head.

In May, the proposal the was recommended narrowly by Fremantle Council to a five-four vote.

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.

The Statutory Planning Committee has previously considered the application in 2016 and again refused the application last week on three grounds.

“The proposed application does not comply as it is inconsistent with the purpose for which the land is reserved under the scheme, inconsistent with the orderly and proper planning of the locality and does not allow the preservation of amenities in the locality,” the WAPC report said.

“It is not of a nature and scale compatible with the use and zoning of the surrounding land, the nature and purpose of the reserved land and the environmental character of the location.

“Community need for the proposed facility in the proposed location has not been identified.”

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt said he was disappointed the recommendation was not accepted.

“The council’s recommendation to the WA Planning Commission back in May was for the scaled-down proposal for the J-Shed to be approved,” he said.

“The City’s intention for the J-Shed was always to activate that part of Fremantle with a low-key, family-friendly venue and provide that connection from Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach through to the port and Victoria Quay.

“After a long, and at times difficult, process I think the final proposal that was put forward matched up pretty well with our original intention.

“If they choose, Sunset Events can submit another development application or appeal the WAPC ruling, but that’s a matter for them.

“From the City’s perspective, we’ll move on and look into other ways we can activate that important part of Fremantle.”