The Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan provides a framework for the development the western end of Victoria Quay for public and commercial uses. The objective of the plan is to guide new development and reinforce the area's cultural and heritage significance while ensuring compatibility with a dynamic and growing working port.

In 1993, the State Government negotiated the return of the America's Cup winning yacht Australia II from Sydney. This acted as a catalyst for the development of the Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan.

The new Maritime Museum, constructed at Forrest Landing and housing Australia II, is a focal point of the Fremantle waterfront.

The objectives of the Masterplan will be achieved through stimulating public and private investment in infrastructure and non-residential and commercial projects that will complement the existing activity in Fremantle.

Improved connections with adjoining locations, including the Roundhouse, Bathers Beach, Fishing Boat Harbour and the city centre, will increase the access to the site.

The objectives for the Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan are to:

• Ensure consistency with a busy and thriving working port.
• Greater connectivity to the city.
• Create a new world-class Maritime Museum as the focal point for the Fremantle waterfront.
• Recognise the social, industrial, architectural, and maritime heritage significance.
• Retain the existing industrial character of the waterfront.
• Encourage an appropriate diversity of uses, excluding residential developments, that complement Fremantle.
• Provide a lively, safe, and accessible destination for people of all ages.
• Fremantle Waterfront Masterplan establishes a planning and development framework and sets out design guidelines to ensure the objectives are met.

Key features

• Pedestrian promenades are generated by extending Cliff and Pakenham streets onto the Fremantle waterfront. The Cliff Street promenade features the C Y O'Connor statue in its current location.
• Pedestrian access is provided by creating a new 'at grade' crossing immediately west of the Fremantle Railway Station.
• The construction of a new vehicle access to the west of the railway station from Phillimore Street (a review of this access now favours a link with Pakenham Street).
• A dedicated access point to Fremantle Waterfront is established at Gate 2 by realigning a public access road within the current rail reserve.
• Fremantle TAFE College will continue its strong presence on the Fremantle Waterfront.
• Ferry operations will continue on Fremantle Waterfront with enhanced berthing and passenger facilities.

The precincts

Fremantle waterfront has created several precincts for the purposes of land-use designation. The five precincts that have been identified within the site are outlined in a detailed plan for the Fremantle waterfront.

• The Maritime Museum Precinct
• The Slipways Precinct
• The Commercial Precinct
• The Ferry Precinct
• The Slip Street Precinct