The railway is a barrier between the city and Northbridge and should be sunk, says City of Subiaco councillor Rob Butler.
“It has been sunk two to three metres at the Lord Street crossing but the question is, why not keep going?” he said.
“A feasibility study was conducted a couple of years ago that worked out it would cost $25 to $30 million to do it, but it typically got shelved.
“The cost of that compared to the Northbridge tunnel works is a pittance. If you’ve already spent $280 million, what’s another $30 million?
“It can be dollar neutral. You use the land that is created on top of the line and sell it off, so the sinking pays for itself.
“It will provide greater access to the city and take traffic off the Barrack Street and Horseshoe Bridge.”
Mr Butler has 10 years experience as a councillor for the City of Subiaco and was instrumental in the highly successful Subiaco redevelopment.
He has served on many committees of varied interests including business, planning, theatre liaison and community services.
If elected as councillor for the City of Perth, Mr Butler plans to “involve residents, ratepayers and business groups in planning and moulding the future of our city and its communities.”
“Perth definitely needs a clear vision for planning. No one person or group can give us that. The council needs to bring together key players including the Property Council, State Government, City Vision, and the Inner City Housing Development Association with council representation by way of its own city planner and elected members,” he said.
“I’m also keen to keep the convention centre in the city. If it goes to Burswood instead, a huge set of opportunities for the city as a whole will be lost.”
