New pitch to lure investors, businesses to Fremantle

Businesses are being encouraged to invest in Fremantle as the city prepares for the relocation of port functions to Kwinana.

The City of Fremantle unveiled its new investment attraction website, City Plan and economic development strategy at a business and industry community briefing last month.

New Invest Fremantle website It aims to give investors, entrepreneurs, property developers and local businesses a clear picture of the city’s opportunities, key investment areas and major project plans as Fremantle undergoes its biggest regeneration in 40 years.

Fremantle’s working port functions are expected to transition to Kwinana by the late 2030s, making a significant amount of prime waterfront land available in Fremantle’s Inner Harbour.

“The relocation of port operations creates a generational opportunity for the revitalization of the inner harbour, enabling the development of new homes, employment precincts and a vibrant waterfront destination,” the Invest website said.

There is approximately $1.8 billion in the city’s development plan, which includes mixed-use developments, new hotels, large residences, cultural heritage restorations and cultural infrastructure projects that transform key areas in the city center and surrounding neighborhoods.

These include the redevelopment of the Fremantle oval, the Woolstores development and the Garde Hotel.

The city center is expected to have an extra 10,000 residents and workers by 2040. By 2050, it is expected to have green corridors connecting the city center to the waterfront and an extra 694 hotel beds, 1829 units, 17,684 m2 of office space and 4947 m2 of accommodation and retail space.

The website follows the city’s recent adoption of the Economic Development Strategy 2030 and new City Plan, which set the course for Fremantle’s economic future.

It describes Fremantle as the gateway to the WA Business Coast, with links to fast-growing sectors such as defence, technology and professional services.

Fremantle Chamber of Commerce CEO Chrissie Maus said business confidence in Fremantle had certainly been renewed and it was positioned for “sensational” long-term growth.

He said operators who once overlooked Fremantle were now showing keen interest.

“From boutique accommodation to hospitality groups to creative industries, the mix is ​​changing and that is a sign of a healthy future,” Ms Maus said.

City of Fremantle urban affairs manager Matthew Hammond said Fremantle’s economic momentum was increasing.

“Fremantle is at a time of renewed business confidence, with investors, developers and local operators recognizing the city’s unique strengths and long-term potential,” he said.

“The launch of Invest Fremantle combines the strategic vision of our City Plan with the 2030 Economic Development Strategy and strengthens the existing This Is Fremantle brand by expanding the scope of existing destination marketing activities to include investment attraction and marketing initiatives.”

Ms Maus said putting the city’s investment case on a global stage showed “confidence, maturity and a city that ultimately supports its own factory potential”.

“We are seeing exciting new developments breaking ground, private investment increasing and operators choosing Fremantle because the value proposition is stronger than it has been in decades,” he said.

“To attract more business we need to deal with what matters most to them: certainty. Certainty in planning, certainty in timelines and certainty that Fremantle is a place where investment won’t get stuck in the process.”

The website will also include a directory where professional services businesses can list their details, making it easier for potential clients and partners to connect with them.

Businesses can get involved by sharing success stories, participating in investor campaigns, or appearing in case studies and quarterly newsletters.