Change Forrest Chase, urges Holmes á Court

THE OVERPASS linking Forrest Chase to Albert Facey House should be removed as it blocks the view of the old train station from Forrest Place, says Heytesbury Pty Ltd chairman Janet Holmes á Court.

Mrs Holmes á Court made the comment at a recent seminar sponsored by the City of Perth entitled Perth – Dead or Alive?, saying the move would “open up the vista” of Forrest Place.

She focused heavily on ways to optimise the Murray Street mall through beautification and more entertainment and displays.

“Forrest Place needs (Paul) Ritter’s Rings – plants, trees and the like,” she said.

Mrs Holmes á Court complained that the decision to drop the Nexus scheme in favour of the Multiplex tender for the dedicated convention and exhibition centre was “a great opportunity lost”.

“It’s been said before but it’s worth saying again that the Nexus scheme would have enabled the linking of Northbridge to the city,” she said.

At this point, the crowd of eminent business-people burst into applause.

She supports encouraging inner city living.

“When I grew up in Perth, everything you needed to survive was on St Georges Terrace,” she said.

“There are three options the inner city has for the future: to entirely restructure, become more residential or become more of an entertainment centre. “I think we should take the latter two options, as I am a great champion of the arts.”