Subscribe Now
Subscribe to RSS Feed

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • What is The Link?

    The Link project area consists of 13.5 hectares bounded by the Mitchell Freeway, Roe Street, Wellington Street and the Horseshoe Bridge.

    The project involves sinking the Fremantle rail line from Perth station to Lake Street, undergrounding the Wellington Street Bus Station and creating several important pedestrian and vehicular connections between Perth’s city centre and Northbridge.

  • What is the Vision for the project?

    The Link will reunite Perth’s city centre with the Northbridge entertainment district for the first time in over 100 years.

    It will create strong linkages to the foreshore, deliver an intensity of people and activity into the city and generate new opportunities for diverse experiences, while complementing other developments and changes in our capital city.

    The Link will deliver a range of benefits to the community including improved public safety, access and connectivity, increased residential, retail and commercial opportunities and a high quality public domain.

  • What is the delivery timeline?

    A stage approach is to be taken with the delivery of The Link project.

    Stage 1     2007-2011

    • Perth Arena construction commenced
    • Scheme Amendment and Design Guidelines
    • Development Approval for private land
    • Develop Lot 1192 (Perth Arena to Perth Entertainment Centre)
    • Wellington Street road design and construction from Elder Street to Old Milligan Street

      Stage 2       2010-2013
    • Development of Perth Entertainment Centre land
    • Wellington Street road design and construction from Old Milligan Street to King Street

      Stage 3       2013-2017 *
    • Sinking of the Fremantle rail line to Lake Street
    • Construction of King-Lake Street connection
    • Construction of Milligan Street Bridge Plaza
    • Completion of Wellington and Roe Street upgrades
    • Sinking of Wellington Street Bus Station

      Stage 4       2014-2017+ *
    • Creation of Celebration Place
    • Construction of Queen Street extension
    • Creation of development sites in Celebration Place
    • Construction of landmark building in Celebration Place

      Indicative timeline – subject to future Government decision

  • At what stage is the project?

    The draft Master Plan was launched for a four-month period of community consultation in January 2007. All feedback was collated and thoroughly reviewed to develop the final Master Plan.

    The final Master Plan was released in June 2008.

    The Scheme Amendment and Draft Design Guidelines were released for public comment on 26 November 2008 and closed 28 January 2009.

    At the conclusion of the comment period, the Scheme Amendment and draft Design Guidelines will be reviewed in light of submissions received. The revised planning documents will then be considered for approval by the EPRA Board and the Scheme Amendment forwarded to the Minister for Planning for final approval and gazettal.

    Site works have commenced on the Perth Arena and works to prepare the first development site will commence in 2009.

  • What was the feedback from the draft Master Plan public comment period and how did the project team amend the Master Plan?

    Project Vision and Identity: Many felt the project needed a clearer vision which would help define its identity within the wider Perth area. In response to this, the project vision was extended to engage the broader central city area.

    Sustainability: Feedback indicated that more attention to sustainability was required in order to achieve social and environmental objectives. In response, the final Master Plan provides a framework to ensure high levels of sustainability, including green roofs for buildings and low energy and water use.

    Design Architecture and Usability: Feedback indicated that unique and iconic architecture was very important. Respondents also stressed the need for a variety of land uses to generate 24 hour activation, a focus on safety and security, and the provision of a variety of affordable amenities for residents, visitors and workers. The Design Guidelines address this feedback, controlling land use, activation, safety, security, sustainability and architectural quality for the whole project area.

    Connectivity: The need for stronger north-south and east-west connections through the project area, and better connections to key destinations outside the project area, was highlighted. Many felt that sinking the rail line further west of Lake Street would enhance connections between Perth and Northbridge. However, due to infrastructure and financial constraints, it is not viable to achieve this as part of The Link project. Instead the railway will be effectively ‘capped’ by building over the line, allowing for future development from Old Milligan Street through to the Mitchell Freeway.

    Public Space: While there were conflicting opinions during consultation about the amount of public open space required, most agreed that diverse and high quality spaces were important to the future activation of the area. The Link creates a series of public domain areas, with a unique Western Australian feel, which can be used for a variety of purposes.

    Building Heights: Overall the community was satisfied with the building heights depicted in the draft Master Plan. The main feedback on this issue was in regard to the integration of building heights with existing buildings in areas adjacent to the project site, particularly heritage buildings. As a result of this feedback, building heights were reviewed to ensure good integration with existing and proposed buildings adjacent to the site. In addition, building forms, set-backs and heights have been reallocated to minimise the impact of shading on public areas.

    Arena Plaza, Bridge Plaza and Wellington Gardens: Feedback on this area focused on the Perth Arena’s impact on the surrounding area. Noise, parking and traffic problems were raised as potential issues. Other feedback related to the size of the Perth Arena forecourt and its ability to accommodate large crowds. Milligan Street connections also attracted comment. The area was reviewed in light of the connection to Milligan Street and the potential impact on the activation and visitation of this space.

    King’s Square and Queen’s Square:     While plans for this area were well received during community consultation, feedback reinforced the need for affordability and diversity of residential product. The need to respect the unique identity of King Street through architecture and traffic management was also a key comment. The area was been redesigned in the final Master Plan, so the King and Lake Street connection moves through a large square rather than a narrow street. The large square is a shared surface for vehicles and pedestrians and provides optimal outcomes in terms of traffic function, activation and vitality. Consideration was also given to building heights adjacent to heritage buildings.

    Celebration Place:     Consultation revealed this area was well liked and is expected to be well activated. Feedback centred on the landmark building and the amount of public space in the area. While some thought the building needed to be taller, others felt it compromised the amount of space in the plaza and it should be removed. As views were divided during consultation on the need for the icon building, the design team reviewed the approach to this area and concluded the landmark tower would provide a celebrated sense of arrival to the city and an exceptional addition to the city skyline.

    Bus Station:     The underground bus station was generally supported however, some feedback suggested that a street level facility would improve access and activation. Representatives from the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, Public Transport Authority and EPRA assessed a number of options and agreed the underground bus station provided the best urban design outcome for public transport operations and passenger amenity.

    Tourism and Visitation:     Overall, consultation findings suggested that people felt the project would attract a lot of tourists and visitors once complete. Feedback to improve the activation of the area included a diverse range of attractions, adequate and quality public spaces, a focus on safety and security, and the incorporation of cultural displays, festivals and markets. The design team allowed for spaces created in The Link to be used by a diversity of people, including tourists and visitors, and ensured spaces could be activated 24 hours a day. Flexible and adaptable spaces that are well managed will be critical to the success of The Link.

  • What is the investment figure for the project?

    Approximately $2 billion will be invested in construction projects by the private sector.

  • What will it look like?

    There are eight key precincts in The Link.

    The Arena Plaza has the flexibility to cater for large crowds from the Perth Arena, as well as offering an interesting, useable space outside of event times. The Plaza will accommodate music events, functions run by Arena management, exhibitions and displays, and provide a good spot to simply hang out.

    Old Milligan Street and the Bridge Plaza will provide an inviting way to move between Northbridge, Perth Arena and the city. The pedestrian bridge will provide an elevated view to Russell Square, the Arena Plaza and Wellington Street, featuring elegant landscaping with trees, gardens and water.

    Wellington Gardens will be a serene getaway in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city centre, intended as a place for children to play, for workers to have lunch or for friends to sit down for an evening conversation. This area will provide a special place for Link residents, with apartment balconies overlooking public gardens.

    Sitting in the middle of The Link, King’s Square melds the atmosphere of Lake and King Streets to create a cultural heart for the city. The new street connection will emphasise the pedestrian-friendly character of the area, with bars, restaurants and late-closing shops dotted around.

    The intimate experience of Queen’s Square balances the buzz and excitement of neighbouring locations, becoming a focal point for the local community. The area will provide all the convenience of a local shopping centre in the middle of the city, catering to the daily needs of local residents.

    Celebration Place is The Link’s crowning feature, emerging from the Horseshoe Bridge reserve to become one of the State’s premier public destinations. Celebration Place will feature an iconic tower, 24/7 activity and an exciting sense of arrival for local, national and international visitors.

    Roe Street will undergo a major transformation and become a casual yet vibrant street scene. No longer simply about moving cars from one end of Northbridge to the other, Roe Street will offer friendly, safe movement along wide footpaths and cycle paths lined by trees and benches.

    Wellington Street is set to become one of the best streets in Perth. The highlight will be a 14 metre wide promenade along the northern side – benches, alfresco dining, stalls, public art and exhibitions – stretching from the Perth Arena to William Street to create a tree-lined linear park.

    For more, see the precincts page.

  • When will land be for sale?

    Land sales will commence late 2009.