This was published 5 years ago
McGowan to sink $30m into East Perth Power Station ahead of development
By Nathan Hondros
The McGowan Government will spend $30 million on site works at the East Perth Power Station, a crucial step in preparing the 103-year-old landmark for development.
The cash, which will be set aside in Thursday's state budget, will be the largest single funding commitment towards the project since the former East Perth Redevelopment Authority took over the site in 2003.
The Heritage listing means a developer would have to retain and restore the building in a manner sensitive to its history.
The $30 million will go towards removing energy infrastructure that services the Perth CBD, such as a gas pressure reduction station and Western Power’s electricity switch-yard, as well as undergrounding the transmission line along the foreshore.
The timing and scope of the works will be finalised later this year once final feasibility studies have been considered.
According to the state government, site works will give confidence to developers who want to overhaul the site but have questioned the timing of decommissioning energy infrastructure.
An Expression of Interest process began four years ago and five proponents have been shortlisted.
The power station ceased operating in 1981 and is listed on the State Register of Heritage Places.
"For too long this site has been left to waste on the banks of our river," WA Premier Mark McGowan said.
"I want to see it progress because it provides a unique opportunity to create something special for our state.
"Many people have expressed to me a strong interest in revitalising this site and bringing life to this end of town ... there are so many opportunities here."
In February, Perth MP Patrick Gorman surveyed constituents on what they thought Perth needed to become a world-class city, and found the most popular response was the redevelopment of the East Perth site.
"In my first speech some six months ago, I raised the East Perth Power Station as a missed tourism opportunity," Mr Gorman said.
"Overwhelmingly, Perth voters are demanding action. For too long, the site has sat unused, and the heritage-listed building has been rotting on the banks of the Swan River, a prime site for redevelopment."
The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority in 2015 called for EOIs to develop the site and shortlisted five applicants.
But the existing switch-yard has to be moved before proponents can be invited to provide detailed proposals.
WAtoday reported in June 2018 that the MRA and Western Power were in discussions to “accelerate relocation”.