Perth Waterfrontlaunches

Perth Waterfront designed by ARM

Photo: Bryce Green, ABC News

Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett, Planning Minister John Day and City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi launched the design of the Perth Waterfront redevelopment at the Perth Convention Centre this morning.

The new waterfront reconnects Perth with the Swan River, and will feature 10 hectares of exciting new public spaces and places to live, work and relax.

"Along with the Perth city link, this is the most significant thing happening in our capital city, certainly within the last 100 years," Ms Scaffidi said.

Further details, images and a flythrough of the project can be found at the Planning WA website.

Spotlight on Perth Arena interiors

The designs for the interiors of Perth Arena have been revealed.

Design Director Howard Raggatt said the aim was to reinvent the perception of a standard arena to make something that would become a beacon for the city.

“Our inspiration started with the Roundhouse in Fremantle, the designs of Middle Ages and Renaissance Ideal City drawings, and the Eternity Puzzle – like the Roundhouse, a 12-sided puzzle. Perth Arena has been designed to provoke symbolic interpretation, create direct visual responses from all approaches, and become an integral part of the city’s overall urban design and architectural strategy.”

Perth Arena will bring to Western Australia a new raft of entertainment acts that will perform in a space the quality of which has not been experienced before in Perth. Australia’s top promoters are already talking to VenuesWest about future shows for Perth audiences. The Hyundai Hopman Cup will benefit from the retractable roof (providing Australian Open conditions for players), Plexipave court surfacing, stunning corporate suites and function areas, comfortable spectator seating and ample green room space for players.

Sitting within the new Northbridge Link precinct, the Perth Arena will form an integral part of Perth’s revitalisation.

The project is a joint venture by ARM and Cameron Chisholm Nicol.

Final plans for Perth Waterfront released

The WA State Government has released the final plans for the redevelopment of the Swan River foreshore by ARM.

The 10 hectare development will cover an area between Barrack and William Streets and includes an inlet to bring the water back to the original shore line. It will be surrounded by a boardwalk, promenades, shops, cafes and restaurants. A section of Riverside Drive will be removed to make the development possible and to encourage the use of public transport. There will be an island at the heart of the new inlet, and there may also be a child-friendly beach.

The WA Premier Colin Barnett has described the project as "a mini Circular Quay". He says the project will be funded by the State Government, the Perth City Council, the private sector and possibly the Federal Government. Mr Barnett says that unlike previous plans, this design will go ahead and will not be reviewed or revised. "I know there have been proposals in the past, the difference is this one will happen with major construction starting in 2012."

The Planning Minister John Day says the development will close the physical and psychological gap between the city and the river.

Source; ABC News Posted / Sun Dec 13, 2009 2:00pm AEADT