THE Soccer Stadium planned for the Perth Entertainment Centre car park may prove Northbridge’s best chance of providing a link with the CBD.
Speculation surrounding the stadium project has focused on the possibility of additional parking space being provided above the railway reducing the train route’s impact as a barrier between Northbridge and the CBD.
The rail line has long been a bane of contention with Northbridge traders but the option of sinking it has been viewed as expensive.
The stadium will be built on the site of a 620-bay public car park. But the stadium itself will have only 317 car bays, leaving a shortfall of more than 300 bays.
A proposal has been circulated to build a car park to the rear of the stadium over the Perth to Fremantle railway which will also provide a major access way over the railway .
Earlier this year, Northbridge residents and businesses were disappointed when the WA Government rejected the Nexus consortium’s bid which was hoped would have been a catalyst for sinking the railway.
Nexus proposed building its convention centre on the PEC site but lost to Multiplex’s foreshore proposal which was signed away last week.
Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass said he had not heard of any plan to create a car park to bridge the railway line.
Dr Nattrass said he remained in favour of having the line sunk.
“Apart from the role we can play to encourage, that is a decision for Premier Richard Court,” he said.
“I think he’s been buoyed with the success he’s had with the Graham Farmer Freeway Tunnel and if the Government is re-elected, he will follow that plan.
“If that happens he will be the greatest Premier in history.”
