The Fremantle Prison Heritage Precinct Master Plan project has been put in place by the State Government to recognise the importance of this State, national and international icon, and to guide the future use of the Fremantle Prison site.

The aim of the final master plan will be to produce an integrated framework that can be used to guide and set realistic priorities for future use and development of the Prison, including conservation, interpretation, commercial enterprise, tourism, landscape and maintenance.

This draft of the master plan is provided to people throughout Western Australia to seek their comment on the proposed vision for site for the forthcoming 30 – 50 years.

A project steering committee was put in place to guide the project. The committee includes people with specific expertise in a range of professional disciplines and business, as well as representatives from the Department of Housing and Works, the Prison Trust, the City of Fremantle and members of the local community.

Palassis Architects, in conjunction with The Planning Group, Arbor Vitae, Tourism Coordinates and Helen Grzyb and Associates, were appointed to undertake the plan. The team’s master planning process was developed to include consultation with a wide range of experts, stakeholders and the community from the time of the commencement of the project in May 2002, until the finalisation of the project in February 2003. This approach will result in the final plan being solidly based on expert as well as community views. A draft of the master plan is now presented for comment until 3 November 2002.

This draft master plan has a vision for the forthcoming 30 – 50 years for the Prison on the State, National and International scene and as a living, functioning part of the City of Fremantle. The plan takes into consideration the conservation of the cultural heritage significance of the place and is built on the results of recent consultations as well as a wealth of previous reports about the Prison dating from the 1980s. The policies contained in the document Fremantle Prison – A policy for its conservation (Kerr, 2nd edition 1998) and the guidelines of the ICOMOS Burra Charter (1999) are the foundations upon which the draft master plan has been based.

A detailed consultation report attached to this draft master plan reports on the wide range of thoughts and ideas about the future of the site. These collectively reflected nine themes, a summary of which are provided below.

Statutory frameworks

The team heard throughout the consultations continued references to Kerr’s Conservation Plan as providing a blueprint for the Heritage Precinct master plan. Clearly this connection is important to consultation stakeholders.

While the WA Heritage Act was not mentioned by name, its intentions were implied during consultation discussions.

The Burra Charter was mentioned as an additional framework, but not to the same extent. The World Heritage framework was seen as being very relevant by a number of stakeholders, but a limiting factor by others.

Conservation

Throughout the consultations, the team heard many references to the Prison as the State’s premier heritage site. Other heritage sites were drawn on to provide examples of how conservation of the site could be approached.

Provision of effective conservation of the site was seen as an important principle of the master plan.

Linkages

The team heard continued references during consultations to the Prison’s linkages with other sites as part of interconnections relating to its history (eg convict, Aboriginal prison) and the past and present Fremantle urban fabric.

There was a significant overall view that the master plan should include opportunities to reinforce and reflect these linkages.

Interpretation

During consultations the team heard continued references to interpretation as providing the conduit to facilitate connection and learning about the site by the community and by visitors.

It was seen as important by many stakeholders that the master plan provide for this to be undertaken in a respectful and authentic way, providing for continued integrity of the buildings and the site.

There were views for and against the more macabre aspects of the prison being offered as part of its interpretation – providing a powerful attraction for some visitors (and therefore revenue raising). Some felt that safeguards should be in place in relation to children being exposed to some of these aspects. Others felt that in today’s society, children are exposed to these in many other ways, and this was an unnecessary limitation to ongoing education about the site and its history.

A feature of the consultations was discussion about the longevity of the prison’s history, resulting in layers, and this formed a continual theme.

There was discussion about whether one layer eg the convict era, should be retained and enhanced for tourism and heritage purposes, compared to other eras. This reflected the site’s value as a convict site, particularly when related to Western Australia’s heritage, as well as connection with other convict sites around Australia and their collective formation of a possible World Heritage site (seen by some as a positive, by others as a limiting connection).

The view that targeting a single era would not adequately represent the layers of history and human experiences in the site was a common one.

There was also the view put that the current era will be part of the site’s future, reinforcing the position that each layer has its own value.

The translation of this concept into reality was the suggestion that different areas of the prison be appropriately conserved/interpreted to reflect specific eras, eg Fenians, Catalpa, convicts, 20th century and include reflections on the daily life in each of those times.

People who provided views to the project team found the re-connection of the site with the local, State and wider communities as important.

Lessening of the access limitations to the site was seen as a primary need to increase local community participation in the site (ie "life") and also tourism participation.

The site being seen as a "dead" or "derelict" site while reflective of its sad past was seen by some as a feature, others as a limitation.

Mechanisms to improve community connection with the site were many and varied – pedestrian/bike access was a common suggestion, as were events designed to draw people into the site.

There was however some views from the local community that the site was not seen as a beneficial site for the community (reflecting its past, including as a centre for internees), as well as an overall cost to the local community to bear to an unreasonable level compared to its state and national status.

Discussion about the walls was the most common topic of all in the consultations, and options for reducing their role in blocking integration between the local community and the site was seen as having a direct impact on improving community integration and access.

During the consultations, the team heard a wealth of ideas about the future uses for the site. These ranged from passive uses to more active uses. Tourism, education, history and arts and culture were common themes for these ideas.

There was general recognition that activities on the site should add to the resources available for maintenance and upgrade of the site.

The scope of ideas reflected all aspects along a continuum covering the need to conserve all the site, and latitude to identify some changes to the site to allow for adaptation or different use.

There was great enthusiasm for generating these ideas, regardless of the continuum. There was also enthusiasm in identifying new compatible uses for the site, which will assist in ensuring resources are available for its preservation.

The overall theme of compatible use was a common one reflecting the themes identified above of authenticity, integrity and respectful sense of place.

What was viewed as compatible use was clearly individually and values driven. This was reflected in the level of debate on this point, to a similar level as that about the site’s walls.

It was generally seen that an important element of the master plan is to provide an effective framework to guide future compatible uses on the site.

The postcard and phone comments made to the team during the consultations included several suggestions to remove all buildings from the site.

These views were from individuals, but reflected to some extent the sad or recent history of the site and its impact not only on individuals but also on groups in the community (ex-prisoners, Aboriginal people, Italian community members impacted by the World War II internee policy).

While management of the site is not a direct focus of the current project, the team heard continued reference to options relating to this during the consultations.

A suggestion regarding Aboriginal landowners put the view that there should be a partnership between this group and the eventual management body for the site.

Options for a management body was seen by some as needing to be independent from government (eg an authority or foundation), while others felt that the current situation of the State Government managing the site should continue.

The economic aspects of supporting the site were also discussed during the consultations, with a significant view made that the State and Federal governments should take on financial responsibility for the site, alleviating any need to ensure the site supports itself.

This view was in contrast to other strong views, which were that with the demand of government money for other needs, and the number of competing sites seeking State funding, the site needs to be self supporting to ensure provision for its future – ie maintenance and the work needed to retain the structural integrity of the buildings and prevent further deterioration.

It was seen as critical by most stakeholders that the master plan provides a framework to guide future resourcing for the site.

The project consultations provided a rich source of views into the development of the draft master plan. It was commonly accepted that the buildings on the site require urgent attention.

Key areas of comment were the need to re-integrate the site with the local, State and national communities, that interpretation is vital to authentically display the history of the site and its past residents, that adaptive re-use must be compatible, that a significant resource source will be needed in the future to achieve this and that Government’s continued contribution to resourcing the site is important. The master plan was seen as critical in providing a framework to guide future use and resourcing for the site.

The consultations revealed a number of individuals and organisations offering to partner in specific enhancements of the site in the future. However, in all the research with the community and with industry, no one solution was identified that would meet the two fundamental project criterion – increased preservation and conservation and assurance of the total resourcing required for this to occur.

The project team took on board the consultation themes, considered local and State planning frameworks, analysed issues, past reports and added a further creative layer to identify the options for the site contained in this draft master plan.

Despite exhaustive consideration and analysis identified above, it needs to be noted that a "best" option has not been identified that would provide for addressing the current maintenance backlog, continued and expanded conservation and interpretation of the site and be totally self resourcing.

On this basis, comment from the community and government about resourcing for the future is now sought as part of the planning process. Unless a vision is outlined that gains broad community support for a conservation mandate and causes funding commitments to be made by Government, other growing priorities for public funds could mean the long-term commitment to the conservation of Fremantle Prison by Government could lessen over time.

Whether by public or private enterprise, revenue growth needs to be improved substantially. Sources for this are seen as both income from visitors and income from leases and concessions within the site. Development of these resources is a key issue for the master plan and this draft puts forward some ideas showing how this could occur. The capacity of the tourism industry to expand and develop at Fremantle and the site is an important fundamental to these ideas.

Resources required in the next two years to 2004/05 to repair critical deterioration of the buildings and establish a higher level of entrance presentation for the site is estimated to be $4.4 million. This upgrade is seen as a critical precursor to increasing tourism revenue as well as to creating opportunities for partnerships with industry and other sectors. The tunnel experience would require a capital outlay of $1 million to provide a safe and unparelled tourist attraction.

A fundamental feature of the proposed framework is the suggested name change for the site. A name change will work to ameliorate the community’s emotional connection with the previous "prison" title, a connection generally seen as a negative connection.

While the suggested title "The Imperial Convict Establishment" was the site’s title in the nineteenth century, it paradoxically offers the community of today an opportunity to re-connect with the site from the now acceptable perspective of its convict past. It also reinforces the significant and unique convict history on the site - this is seen as having profound tourism potential from all tourism sectors, likely to result in more certain revenue increases in the future.

A plan of the precinct showing the proposed framework and examples of options which can be considered within this framework is attached. Further explanation of the plan is provided below.

ZONE A
Gatehouse Complex

Maintain the Gatehouse as entry point to Prison and improve ‘welcome’ to visitors.
Provide visitor facilities including retail and food outlets to either side of gatehouse (No.10 &12) with access directly from the Terrace.
Modify the vehicle dock in order to restore the view of the Chapel and emphasise the significance of the convict era.
Enhance entry courtyard experience by relocating visitor centre to southern end of complex and removing fabric of little significance (PWD store and wall). Remove bitumen and reinstate earlier surface.
House cultural heritage services including interpretive centre, curatorial offices and research centre, art gallery and retail outlet for prisoner’s art in the complex.

ZONE B
Forecourt of the Main Cell Block

Retain as open space - unique spatial experience and focus of the precinct.
Remove planter beds and provide smooth, flexible surface (combination of grass and paving).
Allow public access during the day.
Utilise for special events - provide additional lighting and unobtrusive services.
Remove red brick toilet block at northern end of forecourt.

ZONE C
Main Cell Block

Conserve and maintain as the landmark feature and primary evidence of the convict era.
Chapel, northern internal spaces (3 & 4 division) and rear northern yards to be utilised for paid tours and for interpretation of the layers of history of the place.
Southern end of Main Cell Block could be carefully adapted for accommodation related to the interpretative experience.

ZONE D
Female Division and West Workshops

Retain as adaptive re-use for creative educational purposes. Current use by TAFE is compatible.
TAFE development should be restricted to this zone, but allow for additional students and extended hours.
Integration into the precinct in terms of display and sales is encouraged. Workshops could house open days which open the existing doors into the Forecourt of the Main Cell Block.

ZONE E
New Division

Residential zone - short-stay accommodation and mixed use low income housing.
Extensive adaptive re-use of New Division for accommodation.
Removal of shelter in courtyard and new building in courtyard linked to New Division.

ZONE F
Hospital

Community, educational use. Current use by Children’s Literature Centre with accommodation for visiting authors is compatible.

ZONE G
Perimeter Walls

Retain and conserve the perimeter wall.
Utilise existing openings in the perimeter wall on all sides for increased public access and to provide enticing glimpses into the site.
New vehicular access to New Division.

ZONE H
Hampton Road

Interpret archaeological sites – former cottages.
Reinstate dyke and establish carparking in this area with access road in former sterile zone.
‘Symbolic’ opening of the site along Hampton Road wall with billboards, banners, interpretive displays and ‘sons et lumieres’.

ZONE I
Reservoir & Eastern Terrace

Retain undulating form of rendered brick vaulting to the top of the reservoir.
Adapt the reservoir as a wine cellar, bar or night club.
Retain Eastern Terrace in present grassed form.
Interpret bath house and well.

ZONE J
Pumping Station and Tunnels

Development of the underground tunnel system would provide an exciting and marketable experience.
Utilise this area as the main entry for the tunnel experience.
New development to enhance the visitor experience including a covered entry point can be constructed below the level of the surrounding high walls.

ZONE K
Eastern Workshops

Adapt for use as arts and crafts workshops, artist incubator and associated retail.

ZONE L
Southern End of Main Cell Block

Adapt for use for visitor accommodation and associated restaurants/bars. Extensive adaptation of the southern wing and exercise yards is envisioned to provide contemporary facilities opening on the north facing courtyard.
This will bring visitors and locals alike to the site in an area which is currently ‘dead’.

ZONE M
Development Zone

Plan for future contemporary building to house an art gallery/ museum/ exhibition centre of world class standard. International design competition to select design.

ZONE N
South Knoll

Retain the terraced form and allow the rise of the knoll and south perimeter wall to remain a strong visual element.
Establish an international children’s playground with theme related to the Precinct.
Opportunity to extend the new development under the knoll with careful design.
Opportunity to experience view to Fremantle City and Port.

ZONE O
The Knowle

Conserve, reveal and interpret The Knowle.
Reintroduce physical and visual links between The Knowle and the precinct.

ZONE P
Development Zone

Conference/Exhibition Centre - new building, incorporating current technology, to house facilities associated with visitors to the site - linked to the Gatehouse Complex.
Facilities to include administrative offices, visitor amenities (toilet facilities), exhibition spaces (eg. Aboriginal art, Prisoner’s art, Migrant history and travelling exhibitions), larger meeting rooms ( breakout spaces for conferences) and a roof top venue (with views of Fremantle).

Terrace Houses - lease for serviced tourist/event accommodation.
Redesign carparking to separate vehicular and pedestrian traffic and to reduce visual impact of carpark, resurface pedestrian access routes and integrate with ramp and restrict vehicular access beyond carpark at southern end of The Terrace.
Conserve mature almond tree and remove or prune trees that restrict view of The Terrace buildings and Perimeter Wall.
Parry Street Carpark - maintain as an open space with carparking and improve views to Precinct by selective removal of trees and shrubs.
Knutsford Ramp - reinstate dominance of ramp by selectively removing vegetation and enhance view to railway station along Queen Street.
Aboriginal Memorial Garden - establish the landscape setting for the Fremantle Prison Aboriginal Commemorative Memorial Project. Engage artists to design and fabricate artworks.

ZONE R
Warders’ Cottages

Utilise these cottages as the link between Fremantle (Markets and Coffee Strip) and the Precinct.
Establish one of the cottages at the southern side of ramp as the ‘shopfront’ for the precinct and as the link to other elements of the Convict Establishment in Fremantle.

Reinstate Fairbairn Street ramp - in the interim reinstate the lower incline and recover the ramps visual continuity by removal of the carparking bays.
Reinforce axial quality and visual link along the primary access from Henderson Street to the Gatehouse.
Selectively remove/prune trees.
Create public square to base of ramp and introduce appropriate directional and interpretive signage.
>Restrict vehicular access to Fairbairn Street Ramp.

Fremantle Oval - maintain and improve views through Fremantle Oval - selectively remove less important trees from eastern edge of oval perimeter, conserve and prune Moreton Bay Figs and Norfolk Island Pines. Control development at the oval so the presence of the prison is not undermined.
Fothergill Street- open gates for pedestrian and service vehicle access and improve pedestrian access along Fothergill Street. Upgrade streetscape, underground powerlines to enhance and feature natural rock outcrop.

The draft master plan has been developed from an integrated range of source information – the community, professional and business expertise, statutory frameworks, a wealth of reports, as well as an overall creative setting provided by the project team.

In an environment of opportunity for future urban enhancement currently presented in the locality of Fremantle, it is timely that the State Government has commissioned the development of the draft master plan for consideration by the community, by industry and by broader Government.

The exceptional cultural heritage significance of the Fremantle Prison Heritage Precinct has been well recognised by its inclusion in several heritage registers. These include the Register of Heritage Places – Heritage Council of Western Australia; the Classified List – National Trust (WA) and the Municipal Inventory – City of Fremantle.

The contributions leading to this plan presented the overwhelming view of many Western Australian and Fremantle people that the site is the premier heritage site in the State. It is seen as having a long, dark and important past. The draft master plan provides an opportunity for a brighter future for the site as it reclaims it place in the local, State, national and international communities.

Open a PDF copy of the Report on consultations providing input into the draft master plan (29kB). For more information on PDF documents, click on the PDF icon to the right.

 

Open a PDF copy of the Draft master plan in graphic format. (803kB). This is a large file and may take a minute to open. It would be best printed on A3 paper. For more information on PDF documents, click on the PDF icon to the right.