City of Perth councillors have unveiled a bold $1 billion masterplan to redevelop the CBD’s riverfront to feature a lagoon, beaches, ferry stop and the greening of Langley Park.
The plan – spruiked as Perth’s version of Brisbane’s South Bank – would cover a 2.2-kilometre stretch along the Swan River from East Perth to the Supreme Court Gardens, but would require state and federal government buy-in and would take more than a decade to build if given the green light.
The City’s Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said he had great confidence in the government seeing merit in the project, but comments from ministers so far have been less enthused.
When asked about the proposal at a press conference on Wednesday, Environment Minister Reece Whitby questioned whether the announcement was a political move to help Zempilas’ plans to enter the Liberal Party.
“It’s a bit late in the day to be flying a kite like this; at the 11th hour, to put out some pretty pictures and a billion-dollar pipe dream,” he said.
“What we need to know is, is this Liberal Party policy? Does Libby Mettam support it?”
The proposal includes planting 3000 trees at Langley Park as part of a greening project which would also see the development of sports facilities, walking trails, two hotels and a food and drinks precinct.
City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas told Radio 6PR the broader community view was that the space could be better utilised.
“It would provide all of the attractions that people want to be able to come down to the river and have a day out,” he said.