The need for a buffer has come about because of changing circumstances. Many of the commercial and industrial uses previously located around the Inner Harbour have been replaced with other land uses such as residential, hotel, office and recreational. This, together with the growth in trade and the need to accommodate future growth, has resulted in the need to develop a buffer policy to assist both port and surrounding uses.

The purpose of a buffer policy is to provide a guide to the planning around the port so that impacts are minimised through the adoption of planning controls and other means, improving the amenity of local residents, and allowing the working port to continue to function efficiently.

A critical component in implementing the buffer is integration of the study into local government planning processes. Fremantle and East Fremantle local governments have developed supporting planning policies (available on this page).

Fremantle Ports won the top planning award in Western Australia and the Federal Minister's gold award which is the highest planning award in Australia for the Buffer Definition Study.