Perth Voice Interactive

A LOCAL community group wants the Barnett government to consult with the public over the sale of the East Perth power station.

The 8.5 hectare site, located on the banks of the Swan River, is one of 20 assets to be sold by the government to reduce WA’s staggering $21 billion debt.

The Banks Precinct Action Group wants the heritage-listed building to become a community asset.

“We don’t want this building to be sold off and would like something creative and sustainable done with it,” says BPAG co-chairperson Caroline Cohen.

“No-one asked our opinion and we feel, as a community, that things have moved very quickly. There are many stakeholders, including local people, indigenous people, the Swan River Trust and the National Trust, who need to be consulted.”

In 2004 the BPAG commissioned an architect to create a mixed-use vision for the site that was tabled in state parliament.

Ms Cohen says she would not be adverse to parts of the site being residential if the main building remained intact as a community asset.

WA lands minister Terry Redman was circumspect over the building’s future use and any community consultation.

“The department of lands will work closely with metropolitan redevelopment authority and all relevant government agencies to ensure properties are appropriately deconstrained prior to sale and take into consideration its best use within its surrounding context,” he says.

WA Labor leader Mark McGowan wants strict conditions put on future public use of the site.

“We don’t want to see our waterfront privatised without a real vision that will activate the area into an inner-city precinct for public use,” he says.

“We don’t want to miss an opportunity to create a vibrant public space on our riverfront just to provide a quick fix to feed Barnett’s spending addiction.

“It is crucial we protect the local environment and incorporate the heritage listed facility into a precinct that will benefit all West Australians.”

Mr McGowan notes the projected $250 million raised from the sale of 20 state-owned properties will pay for just two months of interest on the state’s debt.

The BPAG was formed in 1996 to fight a move by then-planning minister Richard Lewis to approve a concrete batching plant for the former power station site. In the years since a number of projects have been proposed for the site, which have all come to naught.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK