Fremantle's newest waterside attraction Gage Roads Freo is set to open its doors in the New Year with Premier Mark McGowan and Ports Minister Rita Saffioti given a sneak peek at the microbrewery today.
The impressive new venue includes a 25 hectolitre brew kit that has 16 tanks and can brew up to one million litres of beer per year.
Last year, local Western Australian company Gage Roads Brew Co was granted a lease to refurbish and develop the almost 100-year-old heritage listed A Shed building.
Gage Roads Brew Co and Fremantle Ports have worked closely to preserve and protect the building's heritage, with 100-year-old jarrah from the previous shed and berth repairs used as bar tops and the heritage listed original clerk's office retained as a tasting room.
The microbrewery is part the McGowan Government's vision to transform Victoria Quay into a major tourism and recreation precinct.
The 12-person Future of Fremantle Planning Committee has been established to examine land uses and economic opportunities at the Fremantle Inner Harbour.
The Committee is chaired by Western Australian Planning Commission board member Jane Bennett and includes Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk, Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge and lifelong local resident and businessman George Kailis.
Other committee members include representatives from Fremantle Ports, the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce and Industry and key government agencies.
The committee is supported by a reference group comprising of local and industry representatives.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Victoria Quay's transformation into a new hospitality and tourism precinct for Western Australia is well underway, with exciting work happening to preserve and enhance this historic part of Fremantle.
"Local WA brewer Gage Roads is undertaking this terrific project to revitalise the old A Shed facility, maintaining its unique history while offering a brand new hospitality venue for Western Australians and visitors alike.
"The State Government is working to develop additional opportunities for the port city to realise its potential as one of our State's premier tourism and entertainment destinations, booting local jobs and the WA economy."
As stated by Ports Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Fremantle is a beautiful part of Western Australia and we want to ensure it is enjoyed by local people and tourists for many years to come.
"The new Gage Roads Freo will encourage people down to Victoria Quay for a unique waterside experience that blends heritage with the microbrewery scene.
"We have established a Future of Fremantle Planning Committee to look at potential future uses for the Inner Harbour, providing a unique opportunity for local community and stakeholders to work collaboratively with the Government to determine how this land can be best used."
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
"Victoria Quay is a remarkable asset for Fremantle, with massive potential to become one of the State's key hospitality, entertainment and tourism precincts.
"Gage Roads' presence at the historic A Shed is a terrific example of just what is possible for the future of Victoria Quay.
"I look forward to working with the local community to determine how Fremantle should progress into the future - preserving our history while continuing to improve Fremantle's offerings as a place to live, work and visit."
As stated by Bicton MLA Lisa O'Malley:
"Gage Roads Brew Co is a remarkable Western Australian story, growing in leaps and bounds from their beginnings in Palmyra.
"It is now one of Australia's biggest independent brewers and this next stage in its development is so exciting for the company and terrific for Western Australia."
