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Complaints about Fremantle Markets lease dismissed; motions passed at meeting

THE Department of Local Government has dismissed all points of complaint regarding processes followed by the City of Fremantle in relation to the Fremantle Markets lease.

In its assessment, the department found there was no evidence to substantiate the six complaints raised – highlighting legal, procedural and process matters – and would not be taking any further action.

“It shows the City acted in a legal, fair and open manner, as assessed by the department and any claims about alleged ‘dodgy processes’ have been completely unfounded,” CEO Graeme Mackenzie said.

“The Fremantle Markets is an icon of the city and we have always taken the utmost care to ensure the process for awarding the lease was undertaken in the proper manner.”

Click here to download the letter from the Department of Local Government

Following last night’s special electors’ meeting in the Fremantle Town Hall, held to discuss the Fremantle Markets lease, two motions were carried:

MOTION 1: That this Special Electors’ Meeting calls on the City of Fremantle to:

1. Abandon the proposed 21-year lease of the Fremantle Markets.

2. Require the Fremantle Markets Management Committee to complete its work, including drawing up a new business plan for the markets.

MOTION 2: That Council review the membership of the Fremantle Markets Management Committee and incorporate relevant stakeholders including a nominee of the Fremantle Markets Stallholders’ Association.

About 300 people attended the meeting – about half were eligible electors from the City of Fremantle; the remainder included residents from East Fremantle and Cockburn and various stallholders not living in the area. Only eligible electors were able to vote on the motions adopted.

“While we had the option of only allowing electors in, we chose to allow all interested parties to attend so they could have their say, in the interest of providing an open forum,” Fremantle Mayor Peter Tagliaferri said.

“I am pleased everyone was given the opportunity to provide their views, resulting in the two motions adopted, paving the way forward for council to make a decision on the public input provided.

“At the end of the day we want to do what’s best for Fremantle and given the Fremantle Markets are such an iconic part of the port city, no decision on their future is ever made lightly.”

These motions will now go to the next council meeting on June 27 where elected members will consider and vote on them.