❓ The Minister for Planning provides an update on Perth CBD infrastructure projects, highlighting investments in ECU city campus, Yagan Square, and a new primary school. The response defends the government's investments against perceived opposition and emphasises improved liveability.
AnsweredQoN 530Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH CBD INFRASTRUCTURE
530. Dr K. STRATTON to the Minister for Planning:
I refer to the Cook Labor
government's investment in Perth CBD infrastructure, including Yagan
Square and the Edith Cowan University city campus.
(1) Can the minister update the
house on the progress of these projects?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how these projects are improving liveability and
creating more amenities in the CBD?
530. Dr K. STRATTON to the Minister for Planning:
I refer to the Cook Labor
government's investment in Perth CBD infrastructure, including Yagan
Square and the Edith Cowan University city campus.
(1) Can the minister update the
house on the progress of these projects?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how these projects are improving liveability and
creating more amenities in the CBD?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
want to thank the member for her interest in revitalising the CBD. It is fair
to say, and it has been witnessed in the investment that we are making, that
the state government of Western Australia is driving the renewal of our city.
At the heart of it is making a city for people and understanding that it has to
provide the infrastructure and amenities that make it a fantastic place to
live, work and play. That is our focus as a government. We are making an
extraordinary investment; in fact, WA taxpayers are making an extraordinary
investment in our city. More than $2 billion has been invested in major
projects to drive that liveability.
If someone goes down Wellington
Street, they will see the incredible construction of the ECU campus. It is a game
changer that will bring 8 000 to 9 000 students into the city. It is due for
completion in late 2025 and for opening in 2026. It will bring that life and
critical amenity into the city. Yagan Square was left a mess by the previous Liberal government. We have redesigned it with
the Nokturnl crew, and it is working very well. Of course, combined with
the new campus, that will drive life.
We can point to all these other
projects, including those under the Minister for Transport. The Causeway
bridges will bring in a flood of cyclists and pedestrians and will be a tourism
destination in East Perth. The list goes on and includes Perth Concert Hall. Of
course, the Western Australian Cricket Association redevelopment, which we had
to lead and champion, has strong support from residents, and, again, is about
basic amenity. Of course, the last is what we announced yesterday; we are
getting on with the job of delivering a primary school. It is a $150 million
investment with a $60 million economic uplift, including the uplift in land of
nearly $30 million to develop housing plus, on top of that, compensating around
$4.2 million. This is extraordinary. It is about providing the basic amenities
that we need to make our city liveable.
I have to say that it is deeply
disappointing to see the Liberals' opposition. The Liberals oppose a school
in our city. I know that the politics have been played. It was telling that in
his first tweet, the Lord Mayor did not mention the primary school. No concern—it
was all focused on the politics. We know that the Liberals will not support a primary school, but they expect WA taxpayers
to cough up more than $1 billion for an unfunded plan for the foreshore.
I note that is the Liberals. They are playing politics; we are focused on
delivering a school.
I will note the community comments.
My electorate has been overwhelmed with community support. I note the comments
of the chair of the Highgate Primary School board —
It's great news for
inner-city families. Really hoped that this would be the outcome. We weren't
sure what the next steps would be, but this is great news for inner-city
families.
�
� I think it's a great
investment for the City of Perth and those residents should be pleased that the
government's spending that money in the city for their taxpayers. So, I
think it's a win–win situation.
The head of the P&C said —
It's fantastic news. We're
ecstatic about it. It's a big relief.
It is very clear that while the other
side and the Liberals continue to play politics and commit to unfunded plans of
more than $1 billion on the river foreshore, we are focused on critical
infrastructure for residents to make this city a great place to live, work and
play.
want to thank the member for her interest in revitalising the CBD. It is fair
to say, and it has been witnessed in the investment that we are making, that
the state government of Western Australia is driving the renewal of our city.
At the heart of it is making a city for people and understanding that it has to
provide the infrastructure and amenities that make it a fantastic place to
live, work and play. That is our focus as a government. We are making an
extraordinary investment; in fact, WA taxpayers are making an extraordinary
investment in our city. More than $2 billion has been invested in major
projects to drive that liveability.
If someone goes down Wellington
Street, they will see the incredible construction of the ECU campus. It is a game
changer that will bring 8 000 to 9 000 students into the city. It is due for
completion in late 2025 and for opening in 2026. It will bring that life and
critical amenity into the city. Yagan Square was left a mess by the previous Liberal government. We have redesigned it with
the Nokturnl crew, and it is working very well. Of course, combined with
the new campus, that will drive life.
We can point to all these other
projects, including those under the Minister for Transport. The Causeway
bridges will bring in a flood of cyclists and pedestrians and will be a tourism
destination in East Perth. The list goes on and includes Perth Concert Hall. Of
course, the Western Australian Cricket Association redevelopment, which we had
to lead and champion, has strong support from residents, and, again, is about
basic amenity. Of course, the last is what we announced yesterday; we are
getting on with the job of delivering a primary school. It is a $150 million
investment with a $60 million economic uplift, including the uplift in land of
nearly $30 million to develop housing plus, on top of that, compensating around
$4.2 million. This is extraordinary. It is about providing the basic amenities
that we need to make our city liveable.
I have to say that it is deeply
disappointing to see the Liberals' opposition. The Liberals oppose a school
in our city. I know that the politics have been played. It was telling that in
his first tweet, the Lord Mayor did not mention the primary school. No concern—it
was all focused on the politics. We know that the Liberals will not support a primary school, but they expect WA taxpayers
to cough up more than $1 billion for an unfunded plan for the foreshore.
I note that is the Liberals. They are playing politics; we are focused on
delivering a school.
I will note the community comments.
My electorate has been overwhelmed with community support. I note the comments
of the chair of the Highgate Primary School board —
It's great news for
inner-city families. Really hoped that this would be the outcome. We weren't
sure what the next steps would be, but this is great news for inner-city
families.
�
� I think it's a great
investment for the City of Perth and those residents should be pleased that the
government's spending that money in the city for their taxpayers. So, I
think it's a win–win situation.
The head of the P&C said —
It's fantastic news. We're
ecstatic about it. It's a big relief.
It is very clear that while the other
side and the Liberals continue to play politics and commit to unfunded plans of
more than $1 billion on the river foreshore, we are focused on critical
infrastructure for residents to make this city a great place to live, work and
play.
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