The City of Fremantle is turning its fossil fuel advertising ban into action, building the restrictions directly into leases for council-owned property.
Fremantle formally adopted its Fossil Fuel Advertising and Sponsorships Policy in March 2025, restricting advertising by companies involved in the production or supply of fossil fuels, as well as advertising that specifically promotes fossil fuel products, on City-owned or managed property.
When the policy was adopted, the City said relevant provisions would be incorporated into new and renewed leases, licences and hire agreements.
A 2026 leasing process for Fremantle’s Manjaree Precinct shows what that looks like in practice. Prospective tenants must comply with the City’s fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship policy, preventing fossil fuel companies and fossil fuel products from being advertised on the council property they lease.
The development comes amid growing momentum for fossil fuel advertising restrictions in Western Australia, Australia and the region. Both the City of Vincent and the Town of Cottesloe have made commitments this year to restrict fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship, adding to the growing number of local governments taking action on the promotion of high-carbon industries.
The approach provides a practical model for other councils considering responsible advertising policies. Rather than relying on an aspirational policy alone, councils can embed advertising and sponsorship standards into the contracts, leases and licences they already administer.
Fremantle’s approach also demonstrates that councils can introduce responsible advertising standards while continuing to manage commercial relationships and community assets through ordinary local government processes.
Comms Declare is campaigning for governments and councils across Oceania to adopt responsible advertising policies that protect publicly owned spaces from promotion by industries driving climate change and other forms of harm.