The Fremantle Inner Harbour Port Development Plan was finalised in 2000 after being released for public comment in September 1999. The plan is consistent with the State Planning Strategy, the Freight Network Review and the ongoing role of the Inner Harbour as a working port.

It is integral to Fremantle Ports' strategic goal of ensuring that facilities and infrastructure will be reliable and cost effectively managed to meet the needs of customers.

The plan was developed with the help of an expert team of international, national and local consultants and an inter-agency steering committee.

Current trade levels suggest that capacity will be reached by about 2017 and, when reached, the Inner Harbour will continue to operate at this level well into the future. The issue of the capacity of the Inner Harbour and community concerns regarding road transport were addressed by the Freight Network Review initiated by the then Minister for Planning and Infrastructure.