An O’Connor burger bar’s novel vision to construct a two-storey aquaponics nursery from shipping containers appears dead in the water despite having the backing of Fremantle planners.
The owners of Deebo Burger and Beer Bar, on the corner of South Street and Plane Tree Grove, had proposed building the structure from four containers which would be stacked and partially cantilevered over the carpark and used to grow ingredients on-site.
Aquaponics is a sustainable aquaculture system whereby the waste produced by farmed fish supply the nutrients for plants grown hydroponically, which then purify the water. But the proposal has failed to gain the support of Fremantle Council, which is expected to refuse it at this month’s council meeting on March 24.
It comes after councillors already rejected their own planning staff’s recommendation at last month’s meeting to approve the shipping container construction on the condition it be removed after five years. Their chief criticism was aimed at plans to wrap the containers in vinyl printed with advertising, something Cr Hannah Fitzhardinge said would amount to an “eyesore”.
Cr Sam Wainwright said to approve the proposal would set a “bad precedent”, while Cr Su Groome said she was “deeply concerned” at the prospect of shipping containers being used for advertising. “I’m utterly unconvinced by the proposal that’s been put in front of us; I believe it’s a billboard by any other name,” Cr Groome said.
Acting Mayor Andrew Sullivan said the proposal would negatively impact the amenity of neighbouring businesses in the busy highway development.
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