connecting to the future: how transport will shape the city of fremantle

Connecting to the future: how transport will shape the

City of Fremantle

Mayor Brad PettittEngineers Australia WA and the Chartered

Institute of Logistics and Transport

Photo – Lucy Risdale

1. Fremantle Port, Freight and a new traffic bridge

2. Light rail in the SW corridor

3. Transport in the context of a transforming city

The challenges of moving freight in an inner urban area

Long-term growth rates of 9.7% between 1991 and 2008

• Assuming average annual growth rates in container trade of 5.5%over the last decade it will not be until 2023-2024 that Fremantle reaches a throughput of 1.2 million teu per annum.

• If a higher growth rate of say 7% is achieved, throughput of 1.2 million teu will be reached in 2021-2022."

1.2 million teu is landside limit not water

• Rail and Road limitations • Two key freight movement projects in

Fremantle area 1. High Street (Leach Hwy) upgrade (road)

2. Fremantle Traffic Bridge (rail)

High Street (Leach Hwy) upgrade

Replacement of 1939 Fremantle Traffic Bridge

Replace not just with new traffic bridge but with an integrated rail and pedestrian crossing as well Will enable Fremantle Ports to reach its 30% target

More than just a new bridge – value capture through design

Turn remaining old bridge into Heritage Pier

Moving People - Embedding Light Rail into Freo’s Future

Light rail is part of Fremantle’s heritage as a sustainable city

Unfortunately not planned to be part of Fremantle’s future according the public transport plan 2031

Problems with 2031 public transport plan

• Assumed patronage growth 3.85% per year

• Actual patronage growth 8+% per year

Doesn’t take into account the “Spark Effect” of rail

• Growth by rail v bus use Mandurah line • Bus 14,000 per day• Rail 55,000 per day

• People prefer rail • 19% growth last year to 65,000 per day

The huge opportunity to our South• Cockburn Coast - 10,800 residents and

3,600 jobs in the next 15 years. • Based on current planning could be far

more residents if light rail up front

SW Metro Light rail network

Fremantle Council adopted submission

Stage 2 Murdoch to Fremantle

• Murdoch Activity centre – 30,000 people working there per day

• Opportunity for density nodes along South Street at Stock, Carrington and Northlake Roads

• Light rail would enhance this and link these key centres

The multi-million dollar question: how to fund it?

• The City of Fremantle is not able to fund a transit system on its own at $20+m/km.

Value Capture

• The increases in residential land value found globally around rail stations have been between 5% and 20% (with some commercial land values increasing over 50%) compared to similar non-transit areas.

• It is possible to expect residential property value increases of around 22% from rail projects in Perth

Why does transport matter so much to Fremantle?

Transforming Fremantle Through Greater Urban Density in Central Fremantle

From Traffic Bridge to edge of CBD

• Permitted heights increased from 3 floors to up to 7 floors

• aims for an extra 2,500 residents in walking distance of the city centre

• prominent northern gateway to the CBD.

Every dwelling in Fremantle means one less needed on the unsustainable fringe

2. Kings Square Project

Project sites

Former Myer Building

New Queensgate–office/retail

New car park pedestrian entrance to laneway

New administration centre

Proposed Urban Room

Spicer hotel

Kings Square architectural design competition

· Stage one open to architects across Australia

· Up to four submissions from stage one shortlisted - honorarium of $15k each.

· Winner commissioned to develop design and complete project

· Competition jury to select finalists and winner

· ~5 month process

· Public exhibition of entries

Early WinsDepartment of Housing relocating to Fremantle

Thankyou

Photo by Jeremy Dixon Fremantle Herald 2010