What Port Adelaide can learn from Fremantle’s transformation to cosmopolitan hot spot

VIRTUALLY identical to Port Adelaide, Fremantle has transformed from a working-class industrial hub to a cosmopolitan hotspot, while retaining its unique identity. Here’s how its leaders did it.

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IF there’s anyone who can see the true potential of Port Adelaide, it’s Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt.

He’s seen his virtually identical WA suburb transform from a working-class industrial hub to a cosmopolitan hotspot, all the while retaining its unique identity.

A few “game changers” have helped this happen, Mr Pettitt said — including hosting the 1987 America’s Cup, which brought a huge injection of funds into the portside town to upgrade facilities, and the introduction of a Notre Dame University campus in 1989.

“This led people to see Fremantle as not just an industrial port but as something else,” Mr Pettitt said.

“The university used a lot of the old warehouse buildings and now there are 5000 students enrolled there and it’s given it a huge buzz.”

Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt on South Terrace, in the centre of Fremantle.

More recently, the council secured a significant jobs boost for the suburb by getting a State Government department to relocate to the suburb.

“That’s 2000 jobs, and obviously that will attract people to live there and do their shopping there,” Mr Pettitt said.

Mr Pettitt, who visited Port Adelaide on a study tour two years ago, said he was struck by how similar geographically and architecturally the two places were.

“You can see the huge potential Port Adelaide has to offer,” he said.

“The key thing is you need a great boost in terms of people living there.

“If you could get a university to see Port Adelaide as an ideal location for one of their campuses, you start to get a great mix.

“Transport is crucial and underpins all of these things, and that’s where State Government plays an important role.”

Mr Pettitt said Port Adelaide’s strength was its heritage.

“That’s key, but it’s about adaptive re-use and getting people into those buildings and being willing to put interesting buildings along side of it,” he said.

“Port Adelaide needs to embrace its character, that’s what will be its future, but … it has to visualise it and activate it. This kind of investment is going to require a partnership with the private sector and the State Government.”

Old harbour town discovered art to getting it right

FREMANTLE is not that dissimilar to Port Adelaide.

It’s a similar distance from the CBD and has a proud tradition as a working-class portside town.

Fremantle has also been known as a bit of a hippie town, which local business owner Heath Daly says has been part of its appeal.

“We’ve got a bit of a Bohemian element here,” said Mr Daly, who runs The Raw Kitchen.

“Fremantle has a lot of artisans and a lot of people who are interested in their craft and the art of what they are doing, which is important especially in an era where it’s chains of soulless shopping experiences. Freo’s done well like that to keep enough interesting experiences alive.

“We have a lot of festivals and market experiences and there is a lot of investment into that culture.”

Heath Daly at his Fremantle cafe, The Raw Kitchen. Picture: Nic Ellis / The West Australian

Mr Daly said celebrating Fremantle’s history and incorporating the new into it was at the heart of its vision.

“We’ve got heritage buildings and beautiful architecture — that’s a core ingredient you need,” he said. “Then it’s about celebrating that, finding the essence and carrying it forward in progressive ways.”

Mr Daly said parallels could be drawn with Port Adelaide and he has no doubt that, with some bold vision, Port Adelaide could be a thriving cosmopolitan hotspot.

“It’s the arts that gives the juice to it and the creative business owners in their community,” he said. “People are led into interesting areas by their arts and culture.”

Port’s brilliant best yet to come

FOR local business owners Amanda and Kelly McKinnon, Port Adelaide is a thriving community with an incredibly bright future.

It has come a long way, and Mrs McKinnon, who with her husband owns Black Diamond Tattoo and LaserTat on St Vincent St, says the best is yet to come.

“I see it one day becoming a seven-day destination — there’s a lot of housing that’s going up over the next five or 10 years and the community will build,” she said.

“We’re already seeing really busy days and nights here throughout the week, and that’s a really good sign that things are starting to change.

Amanda and Kelly McKinnon, the owners of Black Diamond Tattoo, with kids Charlotte, 7, and Lockie, 6. Picture: Tom Huntley

“I think we’re probably five to 10 years off of seeing things really take shape but there certainly are some very encouraging things happening down here that’s starting to make that happen.”

Mrs McKinnon said a growing arts community was bringing new life to the Port and revitalising interest in the area, and that celebrating its past was the key to developing its future.

“We’ve got some great organisations that are working to retain its heritage and that’s what places like Fremantle and Hobart have done — it’s great to see those old wharf sheds been done up,” Mrs McKinnon said.

“We can certainly have something like a Plant 4 but … done Port Adelaide’s way and keep that heritage.

“We’re really excited to see what the future holds for the Port — we’ve got a great community and there’s a great business group here.

“I couldn’t imagine doing business anywhere else.”