South Fremantle Precinct

Statement of Significance

South Fremantle is significant as an area located to the south of the City of Fremantle with a history of settlement dating back to the mid nineteenth century. The area is significant for: its concentration of mainly modest workers accommodation dating from the Victorian and Federation periods; its cultural diversity resulting from successive periods of migrant settlement in the area; its industrial focus on the industries relating to seafaring including fishing and boat-building along Marine Terrace; its former industrial character resulting from industries such as the former Mills and Wares Factory and the Robbs Jetty meatworks; and its expansion into Beaconsfield and Chesterfield in the 1930s and the subsequent working class residential development of these areas.

Physical Description

This precinct is bounded by South Street (northern boundary), the Indian Ocean shoreline (western boundary), the shoreline accross to Healy Road (sourthern most boundary), north along Mather Street, east along Annie Street, and York Street (eastern boundary).

History

Prior to European settlement, it was estimated that about 60 Aboriginal people lived in the 'Beeliar' region surrounding Fremantle. 'Bidi' tracks led from one food source and campsite to another, and it is likely that early white settlers used the same bidi tracks as transport routes. Hampton Road and its continuance into Rockingham and Cockburn roads, as well as South Terrace, are probably bidi tracks, as they follow the contours of the landscape, rather than any geometric pattern. South Street (the northern boundary of South Fremantle) was initially the boundary of the Fremantle settlement. Marine Terrace developed as a beach track. Subdivision of the land beyond South Street began after 1850, with five acre allotments that extended to Douro Road. East of this subdivision, the allotments were at 'farm' proportions. The main settlement of South Fremantle occurred with the dramatic population increases of the 1890s, due to the influx of immigrants attracted by the discovery of gold.

Uses

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