Perth Voice Interactive

A STRIP of historic William Street will be better protected under Perth city council’s new conservation area.

The plan’s been eight years in the making, and intends to preserve the commercial streetscape built by the 1890s goldrush through to the early 1920s.

The PCC says the area’s significant as “the home for successive waves of migrant communities, especially Greek, Italian, Chinese and Vietnamese migrants who first settled in Northbridge”.

Initially many landowners between Roe and Aberdeen Streets were fearful, worried the plan would mean they’d never be able to develop their buildings.

The PCC held another round of consultation, soothing fears and letting owners know they’d still be able to build as long as whatever they put up fit the heritage streetscape.

Three landowners remained opposed but the PCC reckons the conservation area “doesn’t unduly impede the potential further development of properties”.

by DAVID BELL