REDEVELOPMENT of Perth’s eastern gateway could be just two years away.
REDEVELOPMENT of Perth’s eastern gateway could be just two years away.
East Perth Redevelopment Authority acting CEO Tony Morgan said the agency was in the process of transferring ownership of the necessary land from the WA Government agencies that own it.
He hopes to see ground broken on the project covering the area bounded by Adelaide Terrace, the Causeway, Hay Street and Plain Street within twenty-four months.
EPRA was given the redevelopment job because it has the necessary powers to deal with WA Government-owned land.
In fact, the eastern gateway now sits within the EPRA area.
In this case the EPRA must take over houses the Police Headquarters, the old Metrobus Depot and the Government Chemical Laboratories.
The Metrobus depot, while currently used for the cleaning of Westrail coaches, is essentially vacant.
And the WA Police Service is gearing itself for a move to its new facilities in Midland.
Mr Morgan said the EPRA was keen to assess what the property market wants on the site.
“We’ll be doing that in the second half of this calendar year,” he said.
“We are also speaking to stakeholders such as the WA Police Service and other land users in the area.”
WA Police Service director of asset management Steve Jones said the timing of the sale of the Police Headquarters to the EPRA was being largely driven by the latter agency.
“When we have some idea of the plans for the site, we’ll be more active in progressing our sale,” Mr Jones said.
This may prove a sticking point because the EPRA is yet to prepare planning options for the site.
Mr Morgan said the EPRA would prefer to get its hands on the the land before it starts making plans.
He said the redevelopment process relied on the timing of the movement of other uses.
“The Chemical Laboratories relocation program is yet to be determined,” Mr Morgan said.
He said the EPRA still had to undertake a 12 month planning and evaluation program.
Perth City Council Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass said there was a golden opportunity to create a new entrance to the city.
“I would anticipate a mixed commercial and residential development with generous open space, particularly at the entrance end to complement Ozone Reserve,” Dr Nattrass said.
“I would also imagine the residential component would take advantage of the panoramic views of the Swan River – on both sides of the Causeway.
“The residential developments should be up to the height of the Woodside Building.”
However, Dr Nattrass said very early concept plans had left the PCC cold.
“Developments in the gateway will have to be in keeping with other developments on the other side of Adelaide Terrace,” he said.
“The most initial plans looked like a matchbox lying on its side but I think the whole EPRA board agreed more open space was needed.
“The next stage of planning is taking place with the PCC’s director of planning Max Hipkins and the EPRA people,” he said.
East Perth Redevelopment Authority acting CEO Tony Morgan said the agency was in the process of transferring ownership of the necessary land from the WA Government agencies that own it.
He hopes to see ground broken on the project covering the area bounded by Adelaide Terrace, the Causeway, Hay Street and Plain Street within twenty-four months.
EPRA was given the redevelopment job because it has the necessary powers to deal with WA Government-owned land.
In fact, the eastern gateway now sits within the EPRA area.
In this case the EPRA must take over houses the Police Headquarters, the old Metrobus Depot and the Government Chemical Laboratories.
The Metrobus depot, while currently used for the cleaning of Westrail coaches, is essentially vacant.
And the WA Police Service is gearing itself for a move to its new facilities in Midland.
Mr Morgan said the EPRA was keen to assess what the property market wants on the site.
“We’ll be doing that in the second half of this calendar year,” he said.
“We are also speaking to stakeholders such as the WA Police Service and other land users in the area.”
WA Police Service director of asset management Steve Jones said the timing of the sale of the Police Headquarters to the EPRA was being largely driven by the latter agency.
“When we have some idea of the plans for the site, we’ll be more active in progressing our sale,” Mr Jones said.
This may prove a sticking point because the EPRA is yet to prepare planning options for the site.
Mr Morgan said the EPRA would prefer to get its hands on the the land before it starts making plans.
He said the redevelopment process relied on the timing of the movement of other uses.
“The Chemical Laboratories relocation program is yet to be determined,” Mr Morgan said.
He said the EPRA still had to undertake a 12 month planning and evaluation program.
Perth City Council Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass said there was a golden opportunity to create a new entrance to the city.
“I would anticipate a mixed commercial and residential development with generous open space, particularly at the entrance end to complement Ozone Reserve,” Dr Nattrass said.
“I would also imagine the residential component would take advantage of the panoramic views of the Swan River – on both sides of the Causeway.
“The residential developments should be up to the height of the Woodside Building.”
However, Dr Nattrass said very early concept plans had left the PCC cold.
“Developments in the gateway will have to be in keeping with other developments on the other side of Adelaide Terrace,” he said.
“The most initial plans looked like a matchbox lying on its side but I think the whole EPRA board agreed more open space was needed.
“The next stage of planning is taking place with the PCC’s director of planning Max Hipkins and the EPRA people,” he said.
