18 August 2006

Text may be used as quotes attributed to Mr Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman, Western Australian Planning Commission

The Central Perth Planning Committee (CPPC) has given further detailed consideration to proposals for new government offices within and beside the Old Treasury Buildings and the Old Titles Office.

At its meeting in July the CPPC called for further investigation of the extent and quality of pedestrian areas and open space on the site, and for better information on the visual experience for pedestrians in all of the streets surrounding the complex.

The CPPC has now been presented with new designs for the pedestrian areas of the site showing how they relate to the Town Hall and the public spaces to be created in the Old Treasury Buildings.

The CPPC also viewed a real-time visualisation of the complex using the latest in simulation software. The CPPC considered this new ‘electronic model’ to be far superior to previous representations of the proposals and much more realistic.

The CPPC has asked for Perth City Councillors and interested stakeholders to be given opportunities to view and comment on these new and more accurate representations of the proposal over the next few weeks.

The CPPC will consider a consolidated report on the planning application for the proposal in September.

ends

The CPPC sees the proposal as a very significant contribution to the traditional civic heart of the city which includes the Supreme Court Gardens, Supreme Court, Council House, Town Hall, Old Treasury Buildings and Government House.

The CPPC supports the return of the offices of the Head of Government to this site, in an iconic building generally in the form proposed, and supports the close integration of new and old.

The CPPC was established to oversee and provide direction for planning in the Perth central area. It exercises delegated authority to deal with the City of Perth town planning scheme and scheme amendments; the Metropolitan Region Scheme and amendments; subdivisions, strata titles, leases and licences; and development on all reserved land within the City of Perth.