The approval of Amendment 63 will allow for increased medium density housing within special control areas in Beaconsfield, Fremantle, Hilton North, O'Connor, and White Gum Valley.

This will enhance the liveability and affordability of the suburbs while preserving their character.

In March 2018 the City of Fremantle Council gave its final approval to the ‘Freo Alternative - Big Thinking about Small Housing’, formally known as Local Planning Scheme Amendment Number 63.

The changes to the City's planning scheme aim to facilitate a wider choice of housing in Fremantle’s suburban areas, whilst still maintaining what people value about their neighbourhoods. 

Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (REIWA) President Damian Collins says it's a "positive step in the right direction for Fremantle".

"It will go a long way in helping to address the issues of housing affordability and diversity in the area," he told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

“The City of Fremantle should be congratulated for their innovative approach towards embracing the missing middle. These amendments showcase how medium density housing can be applied effectively in well-established suburbs, without negatively impacting on the suburb’s character, charm and appeal.

Medium density housing is a hot topic being debated in local governments in Nedlands and Subiaco. 

Nedlands has one of Perth's lowest metropolitan densities and its current planning scheme has been in place since 1985.

The local council has previously resisted calls to allow for infill development, arguing it would impact on the character of the suburb and lead to traffic and environmental issues.

But Mr Collins says it's possible to have medium density housing while still maintaining a suburb's character.

"The City of Fremantle has provided a great example of how council and community can come together to provide more diverse housing to accommodate its growing population while retaining the vibrancy and qualities that make these suburbs so desirable.

“The issue of housing affordability and diversity in WA remains pertinent and a coordinated approach from all levels of government is required to be able to address this,” Mr Collins said.

Planning Minister Rita Saffioti says the State Government is committed to providing Western Australia’s growing population with a greater diversity of housing options to enhance affordability, liveability and downsizing options.

“The City of Fremantle is a vibrant area home to people of all ages and backgrounds, and I am pleased that this amendment will help accommodate their different housing needs while ensuring the character of the area remains," Ms Saffioti said.

“This scheme amendment strikes the right balance of retaining the character of established neighbourhoods while ensuring the City of Fremantle can accommodate a growing population.”

Good design is crucial, says architect

Perth architect Sam Klopper, of Klopper & Davis Architects, who has designed a number of residential apartments, says design guidelines that allowed flexibility to tailor a building to its surroundings created high-quality living space.

Mr Klopper says the Design WA guidelines issued by the State Government, which encouraged good design in new buildings, were an important step.

"As architects, we focus on improving the building outcomes within the planning framework that the government dictates. The introduction of Design WA guidelines this week is a critical step in defining high quality, environmentally sustainable and liveable apartment designs," Mr Klopper told WILLIAMS MEDIA.

"Access to sunlight, retention of trees and the introduction of new trees are all controlled by this document. Setbacks of buildings increase as the building gets taller as does the expectation of community facilities and landscaping as the scale and cost of the building increases. The apartments are encouraged to draw natural ventilation into and through the apartments.

"For the first time ceiling heights are mandated to improve the internal quality of the rooms. All bedrooms will now be required to have an external window, this is a simple change which will see the removal of a large segment of compromised apartment layouts which landlock a bedroom at the back of an apartment.

In terms of urban density, Mr Klopper says the community understands that more people mean more jobs, more diversity and better use of infrastructure

"Every apartment that is accommodated within the existing planning framework (through infill and brownfield renewal) is a 500 sqm piece of the natural bush which is preserved to the North and South of the City. It is the deletion of new sewer lines, roads and power lines to openly expansive satellite cities. It removes pressure for new train stations, churches, sporting facilities, schools hospitals.

"By making better use of the land we have through controlled and gradual renewal and infill we protect the environment, reduce the infrastructure cost on future generations and support existing small businesses and retail offerings by increasing the catchment."

For more information about Amendment 63, visit the City of Fremantle website.

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