Close to $15million of works will begin this week in the city’s eastern precincts as part of a State Government plan to revitalise the neglected, under-utilised areas.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the urban renewal program included stabilisation works at the East Perth Power Station ($7.3m), Stage One of the Gateway project ($6.3m) and subdivision works at the former Transperth Training Depot in East Perth ($1.12m).
Ms MacTiernan said the Gallop Government had pushed ahead with the projects, which would bring new life into areas that were currently derelict and inaccessible.
“These projects will transform the entire eastern end of Perth and open it up for community, retail and commercial use,” she said.
Gateway
“The Gateway project will see the transformation of 40 hectares of land between the Swan River and the Perth CBD into a mixed-use community of approximately 5000 new residents and 1000 new employees over the next 10 – 15 years.
“Stage one works – valued at more than $6.3million – include subdivision of the Metrobus Depot site, streetscaping and traffic calming along Hay Street and modifications to the Causeway to create better traffic flows onto Adelaide Terrace.”
The works will be complete by August 2005. Land sales at the site will begin in April this year.
Ms MacTiernan said the eastern gateway to Perth had lost much of its life in recent years, with a drop in commercial activity and resident population.
“The area is basically dominated by traffic, while the eastern end of Adelaide Terrace presents an unattractive entry to the City,” she said.
“The subdivision and streetscaping works will turn Hay Street into a safe and secure pedestrian environment with adequate provision for cyclists.
“The end result will be an urban boulevard ready for a new residential neighbourhood.”
East Perth Power Station
The State Government, through the East Perth Redevelopment Authority, has also awarded a $7.3million works contract that will help transform the former East Perth Power Station and ready it for an end user.
Following a successful forward works program, which was completed in October last year, the second phase of works to stabilise the Power Station will also begin this week.
Ms MacTiernan said the works formed part of the State Government’s commitment, made in November 2003, to allocate $10.9million to weatherproof, stabilise and prevent further deterioration to the Power Station buildings.
“The Government’s decision also involved the transfer of ownership of the site from Western Power to the East Perth Redevelopment Authority, which now has been finalised,” she said.
“The work involved in this contract will include re-roofing and structural repairs to building elevations, replacing windows and doors and painting the buildings,” she said.
“We have made a commitment to conserve this important heritage building for future generations.
“This work is meeting that commitment.”
EPRA is responsible for both the building stabilisation works program and masterplanning for the 8.5-hectare site. The draft Masterplan for the site was released in November 2004 and is currently undergoing a three-month community consultation phase, closing on February 28, 2004.
Transperth Training Depot
$1.12 million of works at the former Transperth Training Depot site in East Perth will also be underway in mid-January, resulting in the delivery of the last few parcels of land for sale as part of the nationally acclaimed East Perth Redevelopment Project.
The community can register to receive weekly updates on the Power Station, Gateway and Transperth Training Depot urban renewal projects. To receive these updates please call the EPRA Community Information Line on 1800 639 726 or visit www.epra.wa.gov.au
Perth MLA John Hyde welcomed the news and said the works would result in increased economic activity in the city’s eastern areas.
“I am delighted to see this work progressing,” he said.
“Not only are we preserving important sites for future generations, we are also bringing new life into previously neglected areas.”