Fremantle city council has just announced plans for a $22 million redevelopment of the historic Fremantle Dalgety Wool Store, as part of the State Government’s plan to build 20,000 new and affordable homes by 2020.
The council is planning to create 58 new and affordable apartments which forms part of a redevelopment project that will build a total of 241 new apartments on the Dalgety Wool Store site located between Beach Street and Queen Victoria Street.
The Fremantle Dalgety Wool Store was built in 1922 and served as a key contributor to Australia’s wool industry from the 1920s to the 1940s.
In 1997 the site was given heritage status by the heritage council of Western Australia.
The Wool Store, otherwise known as the ‘Fort Knox building’, is currently being utilised as a self-storage facility.
“This project will breathe new life into an old building, long regarded as a Fremantle eyesore, while creating more homes for people in need,” said State Housing Minister Bill Marmion.
“This is a significant redevelopment which will revitalise Fremantle’s city centre,” Mr Marmion said.
The first phase of this redevelopment will cost $11 million of the total $22 million which has been funded by stage two of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Package.
The contract for the construction of the apartments has been given to private company The Match Group.
The Match Group, who will also be building the remaining 183 apartments, expect the first 58 apartments to be completed by December 2011.
Fremantle Council CEO, Graeme Mackenzie, said that he welcomed the announcement of this new redevelopment and hoped that this would serve as a catalyst for further development in the area.
“This housing development will provide an opportunity for individuals and families who don’t necessarily have high incomes to live in a vibrant city centre with a wealth of lifestyle options available,” Mr Mackenzie said.
Fremantle resident, Lauren Sapet, said that the redevelopment of the site was a good move by the council and that it had been a long time coming.
“I think it’s good that they are not actually demolishing the Wool Stores as they are significant to Fremantle’s culture and history,” she said.
“But, to redevelop the site and put in some new apartments shows that the council is looking towards the future and that is a good sign for Fremantle residents.
“I might even consider buying one of these apartments.”
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