$15m for electric bus depot site

The Public Transport Authority has purchased a 3.27-hectare site in Bayswater for $15.59 million to house its new fleet of electric buses.

The site, on 26 Wotton Place, Bayswater, was previously used as the Green Dog Bus depot, and will be upgraded to cater to the new electric bus fleet to be used in the Metronet initiative.

It’s one of the largest industrial sales of the year so-far, and the largest in Bayswater, and was led by Colliers director industrial and logistics WA Sam Hammond and manager Hayden Dick.

Mr Dick said the sale achieved a new benchmark for land sales of 3 hectares or more in Bayswater.

“In core industrial markets, the demand for large landholdings has significantly outpaced supply over the past couple of years, driving a dynamic shift in market dynamics,” he said.

“Fuelled by a surge in demand from owner-occupiers, businesses are expanding their operations in tandem with Western Australia’s strong economic growth and growing population.”

The new electric bus fleet will improve connectivity with the Midland Line, Forrestfield-Airport Link, and Morley-Ellenbrook Line connections.

The state and federal governments have invested $125 million each towards an electric bus network in Western Australia, including acquiring 130 vehicles and upgrading depots to have charging stations.

An electric bus, as part of the 18-vehicle fleet to be rolled out for the Perth CAT routes, is set to start operating this week.

CoreLogic data shows the site was sold by Glenisters West Coast Pty Ltd in December, but settled in July.

Glenisters West Coast is owned by Craig Glenister and Robyn Glenister, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission data.