New conservation plan for Fremantle Arts Centre

A new conservation management plan to guide the ongoing maintenance and preservation of one of WA’s most intriguing heritage buildings has been adopted by Fremantle Council.

Fremantle Arts Centre was built using convict labour and opened its doors in 1864 as the Convict Establishment Fremantle Lunatic Asylum and Invalid Depot.

It was included on the State Register of Heritage Places in 1993.

As part of its focus on asset management and the conservation of its heritage assets, the City of Fremantle last year engaged a consultant heritage architect to prepare a new conservation management plan for the building.

Deputy Mayor Andrew Sullivan said the council’s Finance, Policy, Operations and Legislation Committee has accepted all of the plan’s 118 recommendations.

“As well as being one of the state’s finest examples of Australian Gothic architecture, Fremantle Arts Centre has an absolutely fascinating history,” Cr Sullivan said.  

“Starting its life in the 1860s as a convict-built lunatic asylum, this evocative and imposing building has also served as a US Navy submarine depot during World War II, a Women’s Home, a technical college and a museum.

“It was also the focus of one of WA’s first heritage battles when it was threatened with demolition in the 1950s and 60s.

“These days it’s one of our most beloved treasures and one of the biggest attractions in Fremantle, with over 500,000 people visiting the building each year to enjoy exhibitions, events, courses, the café and gift shop.

“There has been regular conservation work carried out at the site over the past 50 years, with the last major conservation works undertaken in 2016 with the replacement of part of the roof.

“Since then smaller amounts of maintenance work have been carried out each year under the City’s building maintenance budget.

“Due to its age, exposed environment, variety of uses and building work over its history, and the demands placed on the facility with ongoing public use, the building is now in need of some important conservation works.

“This new conservation management plan will not only help to record the important history of the building but also guide its conservation and ongoing management.”

The Fremantle Arts Centre land is owned by the state through the Department of Lands and is vested in the City of Fremantle under a management order. The City is responsible for the place, its conservation and routine management.

The conservation works identified in the new management plan include repairs to the roof, walls, structure, fit out, fixtures and surrounding infrastructure on the site. The estimated cost of all the works identified is $4.95 million.

Last night the council’s FPOL committee voted to accept the plan and progress the recommended works as part of the City’s long-term financial plan.