The City of Perth Council has launched a 'What If' initiative.
The What If project involved inviting 10 architectural, town planning, urban design and landscape architect consultancies to submit ideas on how different parts of the city could be improved, modified or refreshed.
Over 400 responses were received from the 3000 visitors to a public exhibition. These responses were then assessed by city planners, taking into account funding and resources required to achieve proposed final design results and other practical considerations.
The council has agreed the main priority projects are:
• conducting a joint planning exercise with the East Perth Redevelopment Authority and the Department of Planning on the possibility of covering the railway from Barrack Street through to the Swan River in East Perth
• working with the Central Institute of Technology in Northbridge to create an education precinct
• improving the environment around Jacob’s Ladder
• converting the Gasworks building in Wellington Street into a fashion precinct and business 'incubator'
• creating easy north/south pedestrian connections from Stirling Street to the river
• incorporating ideas from the Green City and Populate Perth projects into the City Planning Scheme
The council has determined which proposals will be progressed in the short term. Other projects to be considered at a later stage include:
• eeconnecting the city to the area between Thomas Street and City West
• making Mounts Bay Road between William Street and the Point Lewis roundabout a more attractive and active entry into the city
• improving Wellington Square to encourage greater usage and aligning with the needs of the growing local community
• activating Langley Park over time so that more people are drawn to the large area of parkland
• enhancing Kings Park Road as an entry to the city and link between Kings Park and the parliamentary precinct
