Sustainable events policy

The City of Fremantle Sustainable Events Policy applies to events run or approved by the City of Fremantle. The policy is focused on waste minimisation and use of sustainable transport.

Items to avoid

The policy prohibits single use plastics at large events, and strongly encourages alternative products be used at events of all sizes.

The policy covers items including

• single-use plastics including bottled water, straws, cups, takeaway containers and cutlery
• balloons
• confetti
• polystyrene
• styrofoam food and drink containers
• promotional material
• decorations

Reusable items are encouraged as first preference alternative to disposable plastic, however bioplastics that are compostable under Australian standards are permitted.

Bins and waste management

The policy covers provision and placement of bins including for recycling. Utilisation of the Food Organic Garden Organic (FOGO) system may also be possible: please get in touch with the waste team for more details.

Sustainable transport

The policy also requires large events to promote sustainable transport options like walking, bus, cycling and train, and provide bike parking for patrons. Smaller event organisers are encouraged to do likewise.

More information

For more detailed information on implementing the Sustainable Events Policy, please refer to the relevant checklists below:

• Sustainability requirements for large events approved by the City (over 5000 patrons)
• Sustainability requirements for small events approved by the City
• Sustainability requirements for City-run events

Sustainable procurement

The City of Fremantle gives preference to suppliers that minimise environmental and negative social impacts in their business practices, contribute to the local economy and embrace Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Sustainable, local economic and CSR considerations are to be balanced against value for money outcomes in accordance with the City’s sustainability objectives.

All Requests for Tender (RFT) and Requests for Quotation (RFQ) above $50,000 will, where reasonable, have a minimum weighted score of 10% for sustainable criteria.

Tender specifications will include a requirement for organisations to comply with the principles of No Business in Abuse and include sustainable specifications within the request.

Where practical, it is the City’s preference to purchase goods with minimal or no single use plastic in its content or packaging.

Active transport

The City undertakes various activities to encourage staff and the community to use Active Transport (public transport, cycling and walking) for the benefits it provides such as:

• Increasing physical activity with the resulting mental and physical health benefits
• Reducing car park demand with less people driving, freeing up car parking for those that have to drive
• Reducing traffic congestion
• Reducing carbon emissions (transport being a high emitter)
• Economic, amenity and social benefits as less cars can mean less associated infrastructure that could be used for green spaces, alfresco dining, retail breakout space and many other uses (contributing to the vibrancy and amenity of a place)

The Integrated Transport Strategy sets a framework on how the City will tackle the positive and negative aspects of the different transport modes. The Strategy takes the ‘people first’ approach where the key transport driver is moving people, not just vehicles.

Complementing the Integrated Transport Strategy, the City has its Bike Plan which provides a range of initiatives (infrastructure and programs) designed to support the uptake of cycling as a major transport mode. 

The City encourages staff to use active transport by providing end of trip facilities for cyclists, SmartRiders for staff work trips and little things like courtesy umbrellas for wet days.

The City plays an active part in the Department of Transport’s Your Move Program.  This program provides activities, support and resources on developing ways to encourage the community and organisations to use active transport.  

See Out + About on our website for more information about transport options.

Planning for sustainability

The City has adopted a series of planning scheme amendments and policies to support sustainable development within the City of Fremantle. It has adopted an overall approach to strategic planning of increasing density and diversity of the built environment in the inner city and along transport corridors.

Local planning policies

Local planning policy 2.13: sustainable building design requirements
This policy mandates a minimum 4 star Green Star standard (or equivalent measure) for ‘large’ (over 1000 sqm) office and other ‘large’ non-residential non-industrial development. Builds that achieve four-star Green Star are considered best practice. These requirements are additional to the general energy and water efficiency measures required under the Building Act.

Local Planning Policy 3.1.3 and 3.3.5 – Precinct 3
These policies prescribe that development in this precinct shall demonstrate best practice in environmentally sustainable design minimum Green Star rating of 5 Stars (Australian excellence) or an equivalent environmentally sustainable design measure.

Local Planning Policy 3.11 - McCabe Street area, North Fremantle – height of new buildings
This policy prescribes that development on specific sites in the area shall be designed and constructed in such a manner so as to achieve a rating of not less than 5 Star Green Star using the relevant Green Building Council of Australia Green Star rating tool or equivalent.

Local Planning Policy 3.20 - Special control area provisions for small infill development
This policy complements the planning controls set out in Local Planning Scheme No. 4 (LPS4) Clause 5.7 - Special control area provisions for small infill development (above). Under this policy buildings are to be designed and constructed to sustainably deliver greater environmental, social and economic outcomes. Development is to achieve a star rating of one star in excess of the current energy efficiency requirement of the National Construction Code. The star rating shall be certified by an accredited energy assessor + the development has to include two ‘sustainable design initiatives such as photovoltaics, water tanks, grey water, or livability.

Local planning scheme amendments

East End (38) and 12 Strategic Sites Scheme amendment (49)
These provisions in the City’s planning scheme allow for additional height if a higher standard of sustainable building design is obtained. The amendments also allow for a reduction in on-site car parking for zero-parking developments that provide car sharing and/or bicycle or scooter parking.

Small infill development scheme amendment (Freo Alternative)
The Freo Alternative allows for an alternative development type, in select areas, that provides for smaller dwelling options to what would normally be available under the conventional zoning and density (R-Codes). To achieve the requirements of small infill development these planning provisions require a deep planting zone, water permeable driveways and smaller development overall to reduce ‘hard surface’ including impermeable roof space. For more information about this award winning approach to infill housing, see here.

Sustainable building measures permitted without approval
Under the City’s planning scheme rainwater tanks and solar panels are permitted to be installed without planning approval under certain circumstances.

Find out more on the build and develop page.