Facelift for Port Beach change rooms

The change rooms at Fremantle’s popular Port Beach have a fresh new look thanks to a makeover by the City of Fremantle.

The project included patching up the interior walls and applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls and benches, replacing the worn brackets supporting the bench seating and installing new clothes hooks.

New toilets were installed in the ladies change room, while the whole building has a new full flushing system to help avoid any future toilet blockages.

The accessible toilet also has a new shower head and repaired bench seating.

The Port Beach Polar Bears have been swimming at Port Beach every morning – rain, hail or shine – since 1992.

Polar Bears President Suzette Felton, who’s been using the change rooms almost every day for the past 25 years, said makeover was a dramatic improvement.

“The paint job is fantastic! It’s nice fresh paint and it’s certainly better now to walk in and see that,” Ms Felton said.

“We’ve got new toilets and cisterns, and all the rusted supports under the benches have been replaced, which is great.

“We all understand that this building is 50 years old and to have it replaced is a major cost, so that means upkeep is very important.

“This is one of the most popular beaches along the coastline, and a lot of people don’t realise it’s probably the only beach with easy access for the elderly, children and disabled people, so it’s really important to have the change rooms looking nice.”   

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the refresh of the Port Beach change rooms was part of the City’s renewed focus on revitalising community facilities.

“When the council adopted the 2022-23 annual budget in July, we really wanted to see more investment in the things people use every day and that make Freo such a great place to live,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“This includes a commitment to the renewal of our sporting facilities, parks, playgrounds and the facilities at our beaches.

“Every year thousands of people from near and far head to Port Beach for a quick dip or a day on the sand.

“With the recent sand nourishment project delivering a lovely wide beach for everyone to enjoy, I’m really happy that we’ve been able to spruce up the change rooms at Port Beach just in time for summer.”

The City of Fremantle is also moving forward with the planning for new change rooms at South Beach.

The new facilities will include new male and female changing rooms and toilets, two universal access/family rooms, storage for beach wheelchairs and a new Changing Places facility.

Last month Fremantle Council gave its in principle approval to the schematic design for new change rooms.

A reference group has been established to inform the detailed design, in particular the internal layout, to ensure it meets the needs of beach users.