Perth Major Urban Design Project Commences

WA PREMIER Colin Barnett marked a new chapter in Perth's history today as works commenced on the Perth Waterfront project.

Georgiou Group has won a $50 million contract for forward works at the Perth Waterfront site.

Premier Colin Barnett made the announcement today as construction at the site got underway.

As part of the contract, the group will undertake major site works at the Esplanande to prepare for the construction of an inlet.

Planning Minister John Day said the work would take place over the next 12 to 18 months and would include the removal of trees, demolition of buildings, road works and service infrastructure upgrades.

He said forward works for the project also included:

Demolition of the existing buildings and structures on the Esplanade Reserve

Deconstruction and storage of the Florence Hummerston Kiosk, ready to be rebuilt at a suitable new location

 
Archaeological investigations

   

Jetty reconstruction works at Barrack Square

Full reconstruction of William Street (south of The Esplanade) as a two-way street.

“While traffic along Riverside Drive will not be diverted until mid-2013, changes will be made to improve the connectivity of peripheral roads around Perth Waterfront and those works will start next month,” Mr Day said.

The announcement comes a week after Mr Day conceded the project's completion date had been pushed back to 2015.

The State Government announced a mid-2014 completion date when it committed funding in the 2011-2012 budget.

Mr Day says he has since been advised the project will be completed in mid-2015, after engineers and architects undertook more detailed design work.

``As more detailed design work has been undertaken and specifications drawn up, the best advice we now have is that it will be around the middle of 2015,'' he said.

``Complex projects can sometimes take a bit longer than expected but we are going on the best advice that we can obtain and that advice is that it will be completed by the middle of 2015.''

Premier Colin Barnett said the start of construction at the site today marked "a very exciting time for Western Australia."

“Perth Waterfront will deliver a new destination that continues the public’s use and enjoyment of this area of the city and address the critical need for more residential, commercial and hotel accommodation in the CBD.”

Source: Perth NOW