The community has shown overwhelming support for the East Perth Redevelopment Authority’s (EPRA) draft Masterplan for the East Perth Power Station, with over 85% of those surveyed in favour of the plan.
The survey was designed to test community views on the draft Masterplan, released by EPRA in November last year. The draft Masterplan’s vision is to achieve “a waterfront culture and arts precinct with a mix of living and working opportunities” on the Power Station site.
EPRA contracted Market Equity to conduct the random survey, which consulted 400 people from both the local community and the wider Perth Metropolitan area. The sample size was selected to be representative of 95% of the wider community’s views.
EPRA CEO Tony Morgan said the survey results were very pleasing as they proved that EPRA was on the right track with its planning for the 8.5 hectare site.
“Although the market research survey is just one component of EPRA’s three-month community consultation program for the draft Masterplan, these early results have shown strong support of our plans for this historic site,” said Mr Morgan.
“90 percent of those surveyed said they were likely to visit and take tourists to the redeveloped site, with the vast majority of these people likely to visit between one and five times per year.”
“The draft Masterplan’s transport and access plans also achieved high praise with just one percent rating them poorly and 96 percent between good and excellent,” Mr Morgan said.
Mr Morgan said the draft Masterplan for the site provided for two different built form options, which vary in height and scale. All survey participants were asked to rate each option.
“Both options were well received by the community, with the majority of survey participants rating both positively, however the lower rise Option Two, the ‘Urban Garden Model’, was generally preferred, with 81 percent rating it good to excellent.
“The ‘Urban Garden Model’ was viewed as having a better balance with surrounding communities and being less imposing than Option One, the ‘Urban Gateway Model’, which features several taller buildings at 12 storeys and a single 16 story building marking the entrance to the precinct.”
The survey was designed to gain views on all aspects of the draft Masterplan for the site including sustainability. When asked a series of questions on the importance of certain issues, the top responses were to improve the Swan River foreshore, make the environment safer and secure and renew and regenerate the natural habitat as part of the draft Masterplan.
From a tourism perspective, the inclusion of pubs, restaurants, cafes, picnic areas and shopping facilities were seen as important to attract visitors to the site.
Respondents to the survey were recruited by telephone, posted a copy of the East Perth Power Station draft Masterplan consultation brochure and given several days to read it, before answering the survey questions and giving their views on the plan.
“In addition to the market research component, EPRA is collecting community views on the draft Masterplan through a variety of methods including feedback from its dedicated project website, the consultation brochure, community open days and community and stakeholder meetings,” said Mr Morgan.
“So far from our analysis of general submissions received, outside the market research program, the results are aligning almost identically to the survey results, but of course more detailed analysis will be undertaken at the close of the consultation period.”
If you would like more information on the East Perth Power Station draft Masterplan or to receive a consultation brochure, contact EPRA’s community information line on 1800 639 726 or visit the website at www.eastperthpowerstation.com.au.
The community consultation period will close on 28 February 2005 and all members of the community are encouraged to have their say before EPRA prepares its final Masterplan for the site later this year.