Park to be retained

COUNCIL has forgone $2 million to keep the public open space at Arden Street in East Perth.

The East Perth Redevelopment Authority, which has planning authority over the land, had earmarked it for a residential development.

The EPRA wants to turn the land into eighteen 250 square metre residential lots with parkland across the Arden Street end of the site.

However, the EPRA will have to resume the land from council if it wishes to proceed with its plan.

Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass said council had to weigh up the value of the land as opposed to public open space. He said the $2 million would have been handy and would probably have put towards refurbishment works on the Perth Town Hall.

“I’m concerned that over the years council has eaten into its public open space,” Dr Nattrass said. “Cities need their green spaces.”