Fremantle Council rejects tenders for South Beach change rooms design

The two tenders submitted to build new toilets and change rooms at South Beach toilet have been rejected by Fremantle Council due to the amount being significantly above cost estimates and approved budget.

Instead, council officers will review the building design to address affordability as well as investigate alternative construction methods and materials. The City will then return to the market to attain a value for money proposal.

City of Fremantle Chief Executive Glen Dougall said that where possible, the council will attempt to keep the project build time to the current delivery forecast "the South Beach Reference Group gave the City comprehensive feedback throughout the design process of the change rooms with the result that the new facility was designed to provide flexible, accessible spaces that cater for multiple users.

“South Beach will still get a great facility, but we need to re-look at the design and construction methods and seek further independent cost estimates in a building environment where materials cost significantly more than the original estimates.”

Dougall said that Council understood this potential delay will be frustrating for many South Beach users and added “we have also listened to their concerns about the current temporary facilities.

“As a result of this feedback, the City is investigating the option of improving the showers and providing interim changing facilities.”

The City’s current temporary toilets and change rooms have been sited in close proximity to the café and to avoid future conflict with the proposed construction works.