.png)
East Fremantle Foreshore
** References pending
The East Fremantle Foreshore is located along the southern bank of the Swan River, with exposed Tamala Limestone forming cliffs and rocky outcrops among the surrounding bushland and riverside reserves.
Between July 2022 and December 2023, seven visits were made to different sections of the foreshore. These included the limestone outcrops and bushland behind Beach Street, areas near W.H. Kitson Park and sections of Riverside Road between Merv Cowan Park and the East Fremantle Pump Station.
The photographs include limestone rocks, cliffs and small cavities, along with the surrounding vegetation and different types of flora. Other features documented include discarded concrete blocks, bricks, sheets of metal and rubbish left among the vegetation.
Additional photographs show seashells, aquatic life, birds, boats travelling along the river and views from the limestone outcrops and foreshore.
Although the old Public Works Reserve and East Street Jetty are located within the City of Fremantle, they have been included in this East Fremantle Foreshore collection because of their proximity to the suburb and their location along the same stretch of the Swan River.
Public Works Reserve
Public Works Reserve
Historical maps identify land near the southern approach to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge, between Beach Street, East Street and Canning Highway, as a Public Works Reserve. Reserve 4720 comprised Fremantle Lots 1384 and 1385, while the adjoining Reserve 7708, comprising Lot 1430, was designated for Fremantle Harbour Works.
East Fremantle cadastral map, 1967, showing the former Public Works Reserve
near the southern approach to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.
The land was located near major harbour construction works undertaken by the Public Works Department during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including the development of Fremantle's Inner Harbour under engineer C. Y. O'Connor.
A 1947 aerial photograph shows several buildings and tracks within the former Public Works Reserve. On 24 November 1960, the Legislative Council recorded Fremantle Lot 1384 in Beach Street as Public Works Department land, covering approximately 1.3 hectares.
%20-%20Marked%20up.jpg)
1947 aerial photograph showing the former Public Works Reserve near
Beach Street and the southern approach to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge.
The approximate reserve location is outlined in red. Source: Landgate (1947).
On 23 November 1973, Reserve 4720 was altered, with Fremantle Lots 1384 and 1385 replaced by Lots 1941 and 1942. Its designated purpose was changed from Public Works to Municipal Requirements, while the adjoining Harbour Works Reserve 7708 was cancelled.
In August 1986, the City of Fremantle published a heritage report by researcher Silvara Grassadonia documenting historic limestone walls, steps, cliffs and other limestone features throughout Fremantle. The study included features of unknown age and used historical Public Works Department plans dating from the early twentieth century.
Other historical features
Historical activity near the Fremantle bridges also included boat repairs and barge movements. A report covering the river between the Fremantle Railway Bridge and Point Walter identified a circular limestone structure on the southern bank, east of the Fremantle Bridge. The structure formed the base of a capstan, a rotating winch used to pull large boats out of the river for repairs and to tow barges.
The East Street Jetty is located along the Swan River foreshore, opposite the former Public Works Reserve near the southern approach to the Fremantle Traffic Bridge. The jetty and surrounding riverbank were also documented during photographic visits.
The same report recorded a former freshwater spring near East Street, which had been used by local Nyungar people. The spring no longer existed when the report was prepared.
July 2022
Photographs document further sections of the former Public Works Reserve, including exposed limestone faces, cracks, small recesses and loose rocks scattered among the surrounding vegetation. Trees, shrubs and grasses were growing along the upper edges of the limestone and across parts of the rocky ground.
Other photographs show paved pedestrian areas beside the limestone outcrops, galahs and corellas feeding on nearby lawns, flowering plants and views across the Swan River towards the Fremantle Traffic Bridge and surrounding foreshore.
September 2023
East Street Jetty
East Street Jetty is located on the southern bank of the Swan River, near the junction of East Street and Beach Street in Fremantle. The jetty is situated between the Fremantle Traffic Bridge and Stirling Bridge, opposite the Public Works Reserve.
East Street Jetty was constructed in early 1970. In November 1979, the Western Australian Government introduced regulations governing the handling of vessels and cargo at the jetty. Anyone wishing to lift a vessel over the jetty or load or unload cargo was required to obtain departmental permission and pay a $25 fee in advance.
East Street Jetty later operated as a departure and arrival point for ferries travelling to Rottnest Island. In August 2010, the City of Fremantle recorded the jetty as a concrete and timber structure with passenger shelters, a small shop or office and a large car park.
The jetty continued to be identified among Fremantle's ferry departure points during the early 2010s. However, by April 2016, regular river services were no longer operating from the facility and the adjoining car park was reportedly seldom used.
In April 2016, Perth Water Transport Pty Ltd proposed developing a bar or restaurant at 124-126 Beach Street. The proposal received support from the City of Fremantle, which agreed to surrender its lease subject to new leasing arrangements with the Department of Lands.
The former ferry terminal site was subsequently redeveloped for Jetty Bar & Eats, which opened in July 2021.
East Street Jetty remains listed among the public-use jetties managed by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure, with facilities available for short-term vessel access and passenger pickup and drop-off.
2022 - 2023
