The Perth City Council remains determined to progress an investigation into a new performing arts precinct planned between the Perth Concert Hall and the Swan River foreshore, despite the plan not gaining in-principle support from the state government.
The Perth City Council remains determined to progress an investigation into a new performing arts precinct planned between the Perth Concert Hall and the Swan River foreshore, despite the plan not gaining in-principle support from the state government.
Council approved funding of up to $50,000 in a meeting last week to seek a more detailed design for the precinct, and investigate engineering, environmental, parking, cost and statutory implications.
Released in August, the council's conceptual plan proposes to relocate the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra to a new administrative and rehearsal facility on the southern side of Terrace Road in place of an existing bitumen car park.
This would be surrounded by complimentary arts facilities, restaurants, cafes and residential apartments to Victoria Avenue, and a pedestrian promenade extending to a small boat mooring on the river.
A particular focus of the investigation is the inclusion of an irrigation lake for Langley Park, which would be part of the precinct's first development stage and may eventually resemble a water feature.
Deputy mayor Michael Sutherland told WA Business News that council could be prepared to start the first stage of the redevelopment involving the irrigation lake immediately following the realignment of Riverside Drive, which is expected to start shortly.
The rest of the plan essentially relied on WASO's support, after which he believed the state government would follow with significant funding.
“All we need is a green light from WASO and I'm very confident the rest will follow,” he said.
“They certainly can't be moved to the new Northbridge venue so somebody has to make a start and plan for the future.”
Council has committed $4 million to the facility, conditional on the state government agreeing to locate the WASO facility to the location identified in its plan.
Department of Culture and the Arts director general Alastair Bryant said it had been working together with WASO and the City of Perth over the past few years to develop a new administrative and rehearsal space for WASO at the Perth Concert Hall site.
“Following agreement on the site and associated scope of works, a steering committee and project control group was established to progress the project through the design development and construction stages,” he said.
The committee included representatives from the City of Perth, who have since withdrawn their support for the agreed proposal, he said.
“The state has committed $8 million to resolving WASO’s accommodation requirements and will continue to discuss options with it.”
Any future development of the Concert Hall precinct is likely be subject to reclassification and rezoning of the land under the Land Administration Act 1997 and the Metropolitan Region Scheme.
WASO declined to comment on the proposal.
