Expressions of Interest sought for North Freo Bowling Club

The City of Fremantle will call for expressions of interest to identify future uses for the North Fremantle Bowling Club.

The club is currently leased to a group that operates the venue for social bowls events, but North Fremantle locals have voiced concerns about lack of access to the facility.

In response to a petition received in September 2021, a reference group was established to consider criteria for an expression of interest process for the medium-term use of the club.

At a meeting last night Fremantle Council considered the reference group’s recommendations and endorsed the EOI criteria.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the council’s wish was for the bowling club to be at the centre of social life in North Fremantle.

“The bowling club should be a place where the Fremantle community can come together, have fun, celebrate important events and enjoy each other’s company,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“The lease on the club has expired and it’s been operating in a holding over arrangement since 2012.    

“There are a number of other bowling clubs in the greater Fremantle area, so it seems unlikely that a stand-alone bowls facility will be viable into the future.

“This EOI process will look at other possible uses of the site, which could include a mix of bowls and other activities, or something completely different.

“At the end of the day we’re looking for a proposal that will increase the utilisation of the facility through a range of social and recreational activities and make it more accessible to the broader community.”

The expressions of interest process will be advertised in the coming weeks and will be open for submissions until the end of April.

The criteria for submissions include the ability to demonstrate ongoing utilisation of the facility of at least 60 per cent, that the facility is made accessible to the broader community with a diversity of uses, and demonstrating a collaborative approach to activating the site.

The use of the facility must also be complementary to neighbouring sites like the North Fremantle Community Hall and Community Farm, and have minimal impact on surrounding residents.