An estimated $2 billion will be invested by the private sector into the Northbridge Link as the state Planning Minister John Day marks the start of the final planning stage for the 13.5 hectare site.
An estimated $2 billion will be invested by the private sector into the Northbridge Link as the state Planning Minister John Day marks the start of the final planning stage for the 13.5 hectare site.
Mr Day today approved the scheme amendment for the project, which includes the sinking of the rail line that will connect Perth city with Northbridge.
The amendment paves the way for the planning framework that includes five urban plazas, a major new civic space to be called "Celebration Place" and three new mixed-use precincts including commercial, entertainment and residential opportunities.
The first precinct to be developed will be the Perth Arena-Milligan Street area, which will be the sporting and entertainment hub.
Adjoining the Perth Arena is a "significant" state government land holding which Mr Day said is being considered for a potential hotel development. The proposal was first flagged by the previous state Labor government early last year.
The amendment also allows major landholder, Channel 7, to finalise its plans for the two hectare Perth Entertainment Centre site.
Seven Network executive chairman Kerry Stokes said he was looking forward to working with the government in planning for the development of its site.
"This is a terrific precinct in Perth and we are well-advanced in ensuring that the redevelopment of the Perth Entertainment Centre site is a positive for the development of the city and the people of Perth," Mr Stokes said.
The City of Perth is also giving up the lease to a large block of land and committing more than $33 million cash to the project once completed.
The Link is expected to create over 1,650 dwellings, house more than 3,000 residents and 244,000 square metres of commercial and retail floor space for around 13,350 workers.
The Northbridge Link is seen as the state government's third major infrastructure priority, following the $391 million Ord River expansion program and the $4 billion Oakajee deepwater port and rail project.
The government submitted all three projects, inlcuding two others, for consideration of the Rudd government's Infrastructure Australia fund.
The announcement is below:
The Link, one of Western Australia's key infrastructure projects, has taken a big step forward with Planning Minister John Day signing off the Scheme Amendment for the 13.5ha site.
Mr Day said the Scheme Amendment approval marked the final stage of planning before the start of further development works and the release of land for sale.
"Today's announcement will provide the project certainty required by industry to bring about investment in The Link," he said.
"The State Government is committed to The Link project and sinking the rail line. Not only will it connect the city centre with Northbridge, but it will also open Perth up to an estimated $2billion in private sector investment and continue the revitalisation of our CBD."
The Scheme Amendment provided the planning framework to deliver The Link project. In addition to sinking the rail line, The Link would also create:
- five new pedestrian friendly north-south connections
- five urban plazas
- a major new civic space at Celebration Place (at the Horseshoe Bridge)
- three new mixed-use precincts including commercial, entertainment and residential opportunities.
The first precinct to be developed would be the Perth Arena-Milligan Street precinct on the western side of the site, which would be a premier sporting and entertainment hub.
The precinct included the multi-million dollar Perth Arena and a significant State Government land holding next to the arena which was being considered as the potential site for a premier hotel development.
The Scheme Amendment would also allow major landholder - and the only non-Government landholder in The Link project area - Channel 7 to finalise its plans for the two hectare Perth Entertainment Centre site.
Seven Network Limited executive chairman Kerry Stokes said he was looking forward to working with the Government in planning for the development of its site.
"This is a terrific precinct in Perth and we are well-advanced in ensuring that the redevelopment of the Perth Entertainment Centre site is a positive for the development of the city and the people of Perth," Mr Stokes said.
The Link is a partnership between the State Government and the City of Perth.
Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi welcomed the announcement and said that the City of Perth was looking forward to moving the project forward.
"The City of Perth has always been a strong advocate for sinking the rail line, which has been a barrier for the city's growth for more than 100 years," Lord Mayor Scaffidi said.
"The City of Perth is giving up the lease to a large block of land and committing more than $33million cash to the project once completed.
"In addition, the City of Perth will significantly upgrade Roe and Wellington streets as urban boulevards with greater energy and character."
The Minister said it was expected that when completed The Link could create more than 1,650 dwellings, housing more than 3,000 residents and 244,000m² of commercial and retail floor space for approximately 13,350 workers.
"The Link will be the single biggest evolution in the city's development and represents a fantastic opportunity for the public and private sectors to work together to deliver a project that will benefit all Western Australians," Mr Day said.
"The Link will deliver much-needed social, economic and environmental benefits to the community in the form of more housing, jobs and office space. It will also be a place where Western Australians can enjoy our beautiful city, with almost a third of the entire area dedicated to public space, wide boulevards, public squares, alfresco areas, shade and public art."
EPRA is the lead agency in the development of The Link. EPRA will shortly finalise the Design Guidelines for The Link and, during the next 12 months, would look at the design of Celebration Place as a significant town square-style public space.
