Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour projects

In July 2020, the State Government announced funding for the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour (FFBH) electrical upgrade as part of the $5.5 billion WA Recovery Plan. 

Electrical infrastructure at the harbour had not been upgraded since around 1985, leading up to the America’s Cup defence, and needs replacement to support the many and varied activities at the harbour. 

The planned upgrade of electrical infrastructure will provide significant benefits, including:

• a more reliable and robust electrical supply for tenants,
• enhanced operational safety for maintenance crews,
• additional capacity to future proof the harbour’s electricity supply; and
• enable on-site renewable energy generation. 

The Department of Transport (DoT) manages FFBH and is responsible for providing and maintaining the electrical infrastructure. The electrical upgrade will create a safer network with improved capacity powering operations at the harbour for decades to come.

The original project funding of $5.9 million, allocated as part of the State Government’s WA Recovery Plan.  

Project status

DoT has completed significant planning activities for the project, including consultation with key stakeholders, technical engineering surveys and design work.

The Request for Tender documents were issued to four (4) pre-selected contractors in April 2024 and return submissions were received in June 2024. Following tender evaluation and negotiations, a $7.8 million contract has been awarded to WA based contractor Ertech who will deliver the first major electrical upgrade at the facility since redevelopment of the harbour in 1984-85 in preparation for the America’s Cup defence in 1987.

Construction activities will commence early in 2025. To minimise disruption DoT will time the delivery of the works outside of the peak periods in the busiest parts of the harbour with excavation works in the tourism precinct scheduled to start after the school holidays in April 2025. 

DoT is already working closely with harbour tenants and users to better understand their needs to limit impacts.

In 2021, DoT committed to the first stage replacement of Jetty 3 at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour (FFBH) as, as part of its ongoing Maritime Facilities Program.

The jetty has reached the end of its serviceable life and will be replaced with a modern floating pen system to accommodate 45 new modern berths.

Project status

The tender process for the design and construct contract is complete and a $14 million contract to undertake jetty renewal projects at both Hillarys Boat Harbour and FFBH has been awarded to GTS Australia. 

Most of the work at FFBH will be completed by mid to late 2023 to limit disruption to current penholders and harbour operations.