Perth Voice Interactive

A BLUEPRINT for Bayswater’s town centre will cost $120,000 to draw up — instead of $40,000 — because the council wants it done by consultants in time for a December 15 meeting with WA transport minister Dean Nalder.

Mayor Barry McKenna says the council wants “ammunition” at the meeting to convince Mr Nalder to take Bayswater train station underground.

Last fortnight the Voice reported Mr Nalder had indicated the station was unlikely to get much love from the $2 billion airport link, despite being the first stop from the airport, because the council had failed to develop a vision for its town centre.

“No-one wants to miss out on a potential $300 million underground station,” Cr McKenna told councillors.

“We could be talking about something similar to Subiaco.”

He wants to go in, all proverbial guns blazing, to get the minister to ask the Turnbull government for more funding.

The only upgrade currently planned for the station is a new disability access ramp.

Cr Stephanie Coates, who first suggested fast-tracking the plan, says ideas include connecting the centre with the “under-utilised” river. Another is for “water taxis” to the CBD.

Crs Sally Palmer, Chris Cornish, Alan Radford and Brent Fleeton voted against spending the extra money, saying the six-month wait for staff to do the plan, instead of consultants, is worth the $80,000 saving.

“I don’t know what the rush is,” Cr Cornish told colleagues. “I can’t imagine people are going to cart their luggage around while they go shopping.”

Construction is expected to start on the link late next year. Trains are expected to run from 2020.

by EMMIE DOWLING