Northbridge link plan to cost $330m

A price tag of $330 million has been attached to the draft master plan for the long-awaited redevelopment of land between the CBD and Northbridge.

Releasing the Northbridge Link draft master plan today, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the project would make important changes to the face of Perth.

"This is a long-term project, one which will create a new urban precinct over the next 10 to 15 years," Ms MacTiernan said.

"Work is already underway on the first stage of the project, the Perth Arena. This will be followed by works in the adjacent precinct."

The $330million project also involved sinking the Perth-Fremantle rail line from the Perth Train Station to Lake Street in Northbridge, allowing for a new road between King Street in Perth and Lake Street.

Work on the redevelopment would span 13.5 ha of land between the Mitchell Freeway, Roe Street, Wellington Street and the Horseshoe Bridge.

"The City of Perth has long held the vision of removing the railway barrier between Northbridge and through a coordinated approach with the State Government this is now possible," the Minister said.

"This project will bridge the great divide between Perth's commercial and retail core and its cultural and nightlife hub.

"It will also provide a great opportunity to bring more people and activity into the heart of the city with both residential and commercial development."

The Northbridge Link draft master plan included construction of:

- a new underground bus station to replace the existing Wellington Street station;
- approximately 1,600 homes;
- approximately 155,000 square metres of office space;
- approximately 16,000 square metres of retail, hospitality and commercial space;
- the 14,000 seat Perth Arena;
- a precinct of new hotels and serviced apartments;
- an integrated transport hub in the city centre.

"The Northbridge Link project is one of the most significant and exciting redevelopments for our growing city - one which will create a new urban precinct for Western Australians to live, work and visit their city," Ms MacTiernan said.

"What we need is more activity and more buzz in our central city area.

"We do not see creating parkland here as the best use for this site. We already have the world's largest central park in Kings Park as well as the Esplanade, Langley Park, Russell Square, Wellington Square and numerous other areas of open space.

"The master plan will add to these with a range of intimate public open spaces and parks with water-wise paving, tree-lined boulevards and promenades, plazas, squares and parks of different shapes and sizes."

Northbridge Link was a collaboration between the State Government through the East Perth Redevelopment Authority, the Public Transport Authority and project partner, the City of Perth, which had committed $25million to the project.

State Government investment in the project is expected to attract private sector investment of approximately $1.5billion.

The public are invited to comment on the proposal during a three-month community consultation period.