Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle

Statement of Significance

the place has strong associations with the history of post-WWII migration to Western Australia, with many migrants from Southern Europe, particularly those from Italy, engaged in the commercial fishing industry historically and today.

the continuous use of the place as a working harbour from 1924 to the present and its association with the evolution of the fishing industry in Fremantle, reflects the successful story of Fremantle’s migrant communities, with the intangible value of this story being of importance to both migrant families and their descendants and the wider Western Australian community.

the place holds a high degree of social value to the local Italian community, and other migrant communities associated with the fishing industry as the end point of the annual Blessing of the Fleet procession, a well-established religious and civic tradition, that has been an integral part of Fremantle’s cultural heritage for more than 75 years.

the place has historic value as the site of South Jetty, one of the first landing sites erected in 1829, in the newly founded Swan River Colony.

the place is of aesthetic value for its panoramic water views coupled with the iconic blue fishing vessels of a working fishing fleet, that add to the distinctive character of the place as a working harbour, and as a popular recreational area for locals and tourists alike.

the place has historic value as the site of the staging of the 26th challenge for the America's Cup in 1987, when Fremantle became the subject of worldwide focus with Kookaburra III’s defence of the Royal Perth Yacht Clubs title.

the place has a high degree of social value to past and current day fishermen and their families as demonstrated by their contribution and involvement in a project to recognise the 608 fishermen who pioneered the fishing industry at Fremantle, by way of ‘The Jetty’ memorial.

the place is an iconic landmark that is a popular visitor destination for tourists and the local and wider community and contributes to the identity of Fremantle and in particular the city’s West End.

While the overall place is considered to be of heritage significance, the current built fabric, with the exception of ‘The Jetty’ memorial is not.

Physical Description

Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle is located adjacent to the Esplanade Reserve on Mews Road. It is the base for an over 400-strong working fishing fleet and includes service jetties, wharves and refuelling and maintenance facilities.
As a popular tourism and hospitality precinct, Fishing Boat Harbour, Fremantle is lined with low level structures predominately comprising hospitality venues fronted by boardwalks that offer picturesque water views and vistas. It includes two memorials, a bronze statue of Bon Scott, former lead singer of Australian band AC/DC and ‘The Jetty’. A memorial to commemorate local fisherman, it encompasses 12 timber columns, inscribed with the names of 608 fishermen who were pioneers of the fishing industry in Fremantle, and two life size bronze sculptures of fishermen. The former Fremantle Boat Lifters (c. 1982), adjacent to the railway line is now the venue for a popular boutique brewery.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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