Introduction
The City of Fremantle is a local government authority in Western Australia responsible for community services, infrastructure, planning, environmental management, economic development, arts, culture, recreation, and local grant funding.
History and Background
Fremantle, traditionally known as Walyalup, is located approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Perth’s central business district. The local government area covers about 19 square kilometres and includes Beaconsfield, Fremantle, Hilton, North Fremantle, O’Connor, Samson, South Fremantle, and White Gum Valley.
A Town Trust was established in 1848, followed by the creation of the Fremantle Town Council in 1871. Fremantle became a municipality in 1883 and was formally proclaimed a city on 3 June 1929.
The City acknowledges the Whadjuk people as the Traditional Owners of the Fremantle/Walyalup area and recognizes the continuing importance of their cultural and heritage traditions.
Fremantle has historically developed around its role as a port city. Its maritime history, built heritage, creative industries, diverse communities, and cultural institutions continue to influence its identity and local economy.
Mission and Purpose
The City of Fremantle works to provide services, facilities, infrastructure, and local leadership that support the social, cultural, environmental, and economic well-being of its community.
Its Strategic Community Plan 2024–2034 establishes five principal priorities: a liveable city that is vibrant, socially connected, and desirable; a thriving city with a prosperous and innovative economy; a creative city that is inspiring and diverse; a resilient city that plans for the future; and an inclusive city that welcomes and cares for people of all cultures and abilities.
These priorities guide the City’s planning, budgeting, resource allocation, service delivery, partnerships, infrastructure investment, and grant-making activities.
Governance and Structure
The City of Fremantle operates under Western Australia’s Local Government Act 1995 and associated regulations.
Its council comprises the Mayor and eight councillors elected to represent the local community. The elected council makes decisions concerning local policies, strategic plans, budgets, rates, land use, infrastructure, community services, grants, and municipal priorities.
The chief executive officer manages the City’s administration, implements council decisions, advises elected members, and oversees organizational operations. Glen Dougall serves as chief executive officer.
The Executive Leadership Team includes the chief executive officer and directors responsible for City Business; Creative Arts and Community; Infrastructure; and Planning, Place and Urban Development.
These divisions oversee finance, procurement, economic development, property, technology, community services, libraries, arts, festivals, grants, recreation, infrastructure, waste management, parks, planning, heritage, environmental health, community safety, and sustainability.
The Strategic Community Plan and Corporate Plan collectively form the City’s statutory Plan for the Future. Progress is monitored through annual reports, budgets, action plans, and specific strategies.
Funding and Grants
The City finances its services and projects through property rates, fees and charges, parking revenue, commercial property income, government grants, reserve funds, and other local government revenue.
Property rates represented approximately 62% of the City’s budgeted revenue for 2025–2026. Other income sources included parking, property, service charges, fees, and grant funding.
The City also distributes funding to eligible organizations, community groups, artists, young people, and local initiatives through several grant, donation, and sponsorship programs.
Community Grants provide up to AUD7,500 for initiatives that address local needs, strengthen social and cultural well-being, improve quality of life, and build a more connected and resilient community.
Youth Grants support projects that involve or benefit young people in Fremantle. Funded activities are expected to encourage participation, connection, personal development, creativity, or community engagement.
Arts Grants provide support for creative and cultural projects that engage the community and positively affect Walyalup/Fremantle. Eligible initiatives may involve visual arts, performance, cultural activities, exhibitions, and other creative practices.
Community Donations of up to AUD500 are available to eligible local nonprofit organizations and community groups for smaller activities and needs.
The City also offers event sponsorship and assistance for sport and recreation initiatives. Eligibility, funding levels, priorities, and application periods vary between programs.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Community development services support young people, older residents, people with disabilities, Aboriginal engagement, volunteering, community health, recreation, social inclusion, and local organizations.
The Fremantle Library and Fremantle History Centre provide access to information, lifelong learning, local history collections, educational resources, digital services, and community activities.
The City owns and operates the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre, which presents exhibitions, artist residencies, concerts, art courses, and cultural events. It also manages arts spaces, public art, creative collections, and cultural programming.
Its annual festival program includes the Walyalup Fremantle Festival, Fremantle International Street Arts Festival, Hidden Treasures, Heritage Festival, and Wardarnji, a Nyoongar-led cultural event. Lotterywest awarded AUD145,000 to support the City’s festival program.
Planning and heritage services guide development while protecting Fremantle’s distinctive built environment. The local government area includes significant heritage places, including Fremantle Prison, which forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Australian Convict Sites.
Environmental programs cover climate action, urban greening, waste management, sustainable transport, water conservation, energy efficiency, biodiversity, and community education. Fremantle became Western Australia’s first carbon-neutral city in 2009 and later achieved national One Planet certification for sustainability.
Economic-development activities support local businesses, investment, tourism, city-centre activation, markets, events, startups, and creative enterprises.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
In May 2026, the City distributed AUD100,174.76 among 19 organizations and individuals through its Community, Youth, and Arts Grants program. The recipients included initiatives delivering social, environmental, creative, and community well-being outcomes.
Funded organizations included Black Swan Health, IDEA Foundation, Valley Verges, and Fremantle Design Week. Their activities contributed to areas such as community connection, mental and physical well-being, environmental improvement, inclusion, and cultural participation.
In the September 2025 round, the City awarded AUD68,303.20 to 14 organizations and individuals. Supported activities included assistance for pet owners, safety equipment for Sea Scouts, and opportunities for artists to exhibit creative work.
The City’s sustainability initiatives have promoted carbon reduction, responsible resource use, and environmental management. Its Sustainability Report for 2022–2024 documented progress against the One Planet Living Action Plan 2020–2025.
The City also invests in public facilities, parks, streets, community infrastructure, arts venues, recreation services, heritage assets, and city-centre improvements. During the 2025–2026 financial year, it reported investing AUD16 million through its capital program for the Fremantle community.
Conclusion
The City of Fremantle combines local governance, municipal services, community funding, cultural programming, economic development, heritage protection, and environmental action to support a liveable and inclusive city. Its grants and sponsorships enable community organizations, artists, young people, and local groups to deliver projects that strengthen connection, creativity, resilience, and well-being across Fremantle/Walyalup.
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