Next steps for Fremantle Oval redevelopment

The major redevelopment of Fremantle Oval is another step closer thanks to a new working group with key stakeholders to help bring the project to life.  

The proposed masterplan for Fremantle Oval will see new clubrooms and grandstands for South Fremantle Football Club, improved spectator facilities, lighting upgrades and the realignment of the playing field to reconnect the oval to the heritage-listed Victoria Pavilion.

The working group is formed by Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, Fremantle Councillors Frank Mofflin, Andrew Sullivan and Fedele Camarda, City of Fremantle Chief Executive Officer Glen Dougall, South Fremantle Football Club Chief Executive Officer Cameron Britt, Fremantle Football Club Executive General Manager Operations Joseph Brierty and WA Football Commission Executive Manager Facilities Tom Bottrell.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the working group would play an important role in identifying advocacy and funding opportunities to kick-start the major project.

“We want to transform Fremantle Oval into one of WA’s premier outdoor venues while ensuring it remains a space for our community to enjoy and for our local sporting clubs to call home,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

“In 2022 we saw the oval’s activation potential when we welcomed Leeds United for their open training session, while earlier this month the Fremantle Dockers held their preseason game against Port Adelaide which drew in thousands of fans. On Sunday 7 May, we’ll also be welcoming Perth Festival’s epic High Voltage festival with Fremantle Oval one of the main entertainment hubs for the day.

“These types of events provide a real buzz to our city and have such a significant boost for our local traders.

“The redevelopment project will help us attract even more events, festivals and sports to activate the heart of Fremantle.”

South Fremantle Football Club Chief Executive Officer Cameron Britt said it was an exciting opportunity to reinvigorate the historic oval.

“The South Fremantle Football Club has occupied Fremantle Oval for 123 years and we are committed to working together with the City of Fremantle and all project stakeholders in redeveloping a regionally historic precinct in the heart of the port city for the benefit of the local community,” he said.

“We look forward to our next 123 years at a modern, reinvigorated and vibrant Fremantle Oval.”

Fremantle Football Club Executive General Manager Operations Joseph Brierty said the redevelopment at Fremantle Oval would bring about significant benefits for its AFLW games held there. 

“The Fremantle Oval redevelopment is critical to ensuring the continued enhancement of community and female sporting facilities in Fremantle and is the best way to drive equity and appropriate standards for all,” he said.

“Fremantle Oval has a special place in the Fremantle Football Club’s history and remains the current home ground for our AFLW games.

“We look forward to working with the City of Fremantle, as well as the other key stakeholders in the working group, to deliver a facility that showcases elite female athletes while connecting the broader Fremantle community to our great game.”

The working group is a direct outcome of the Fremantle Oval Redevelopment Business Plan which was approved by Fremantle Council in July 2022 and will be used to lobby for funding.

Fremantle Council last week agreed to appoint the primary working group, while a second working group was recommended as the project progresses to engage more stakeholders.

“The primary working group will play an important role in the early planning and feasibility stages before we then engage broader stakeholders including our community for consultation,” Mayor Fitzhardinge said.

The Fremantle Oval redevelopment is one of the five key strategic projects highlighted in the Freo2029 Transformational Moves strategy that seeks to revitalise the centre of Fremantle.

“It’s an exciting transformational period for Fremantle with the city’s largest ever public-private infrastructure project to the tune of $270 million now complete at the revitalised Walyalup Koort.

“We’ve also seen an impressive $2.01 billion development pipeline in Fremantle from private investment to deliver more housing, retail and hospitality, office space and accommodation to our port city since 2016. 

“We’re now looking ahead to other advocacy projects that will continue to transform Fremantle into a vibrant, sustainable and world-class city centre and the Fremantle Oval redevelopment is just one of these key projects.”

The City of Fremantle has also kicked off its major review of the Strategic Community Plan and is inviting the community to help shape the priorities for Fremantle over the next 10 years.

Join the conversation at fremantle.wa.gov.au/letstalkfreo or learn more about the Fremantle Oval redevelopment project at fremantle.wa.gov.au/fremantleoval

Main image: Fremantle Oval working group. L-R: South Fremantle Football Club CEO Cameron Britt, Deputy Mayor Frank Mofflin, WA Football Commission Executive Manager Facilities Tom Bottrell, Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, Beaconsfield Ward Councillor Fedele Camarda, City of Fremantle CEO Glen Dougall and Fremantle Football Club Executive General Manager Operations Joseph Brierty.