The former East Perth Power Station will become the focal point for a bustling new inner-city precinct housing 1,300 new residents, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan announced today.
Releasing a draft masterplan for the former power station site in East Perth today, Ms MacTiernan said the State Government was delivering on its pre-election commitment to conserve the magnificent facility.
"Few cities in the world have the opportunity to redevelop such a unique site and we are aiming to create a place of character and enjoyment for our citizens and visitors to Western Australia," she said.
"The vision for the draft masterplan is to achieve a waterfront culture and arts precinct including a mix of living and working opportunities."
In addition to considering issues such as land use, sustainability, transportation and traffic management, the draft masterplan also looks at two possible built form options for the site.
The first is an 'Urban Gateway Model,' which involves mainly three to four-storey developments rising to two 12-storey buildings and one 16-storey building on East Parade.
The second, an 'Urban Garden Model,' involves mainly five to six storeys, rising to four eight-storey buildings near the Graham Farmer Freeway.
Commercial, residential, retail, office, cultural and civic land uses are recommended, with a major tenant to be sought for the Power Station Buildings and other, smaller but related tenancies, possible in the precinct.
"In developing the draft masterplan for consultation, the East Perth Redevelopment Authority (EPRA) considered a range of potential land uses and options for the site," the Minister said.
"A mixed-use outcome that capitalises on the site's unique characteristics, with a focus on public transport, connectivity, cultural and recreational opportunities, has been identified as being the most viable.
The draft masterplan provides housing for approximately 1,300 new residents within the precinct, which will bolster activity in the proposed mixed-use development.
Given the site's location, being adjacent to the Graham Farmer Freeway, traffic management is another key element of the draft masterplan.
"High priority has been placed on creating an excellent flow for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from regional and local transport networks," Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister said an adaptive re-use for the power station buildings had not yet been decided, but it had been identified that the site would be best used for civic and cultural purposes.
"Arts Minister Sheila McHale is very interested in exploring cultural opportunities for the site," Ms MacTiernan said.
"Although we are still looking at options for the power station's end use, the Government will consider all proposals and suggestions for the site.
"In the meantime, our commitment to clean-up and restabilise the old buildings is being realised through a $10.9million works program, which is expected to be complete by July 2005."
Ms MacTiernan said the Gallop Government had been able to fund the works program because of good economic management.
"In four years, Labor has delivered a Budget surplus in every year, unlike the Liberals, who had five deficits over eight years," she said.
Government Architect Geoffrey London said the draft Masterplan represented a well-balanced approach to respecting the heritage value and future use of the Power Station buildings while capitalising on the site's proximity to the city.
"EPRA's recommendation for a mixed use urban development is one that will provide the intensity required to ensure the proposed new city quarter is sustainable in the long term," Mr London said.
"It is also an opportunity to develop some real diversity in housing types.
"Many great cities such as London, Sydney and Brisbane have achieved impressive redevelopment outcomes for their old Power Station sites and this is a unique opportunity for Perth."
Ms MacTiernan said she encouraged all interested people to become involved in the community consultation process and to have their say on the draft masterplan.
"The community consultation process will involve public open days, organised meetings and briefings with community groups and stakeholders and market research," she said.
Community open days will be held at the Project Studio at the East Perth Power Station on Summers Street, East Perth on:
- Thursday, November 11 from 5-8pm
- Saturday, November 13 from 2-5pm
- Sunday, November 14 from 10am-2pm.
A copy of the draft masterplan can be obtained online at the project website, which also accepts online submissions.
A community information line 1-800-639-726 is in place for the project to respond to questions and enquiries.
The deadline for feedback and submissions on the draft masterplan is Monday, February 28, 2005 at 5pm.