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| Perth City Link | |
|---|---|
| Name | Perth City Link |
| Location | Perth, Western Australia |
| Status | Completed / Ongoing works |
| Developer | Public Transport Authority of Western Australia; City of Perth; Government of Western Australia |
| Start | 2012 |
| Completion | ongoing |
Perth City Link Perth City Link is a major urban redevelopment and transport project in central Perth, Western Australia, that reconnected the north and south precincts of the central business district by sinking rail lines and creating mixed-use precincts. The initiative involved coordination between the City of Perth, the Public Transport Authority (Western Australia), the Government of Western Australia, and private developers such as Multiplex, Lendlease, and John Holland. The project aimed to integrate rail, road, retail, hospitality, residential, and public open space around Perth railway station, Wellington Street, and the Elizabeth Quay corridor.
The scheme emerged from long-standing urban planning debates following the construction of the Perth Railway Station in the 1880s and subsequent expansions that created a physical barrier between the Perth CBD and the Northbridge precinct. Precedents included proposals from the Perth City Council and the State Planning Commission during the late 20th century. Major catalysts were the 2008 strategic reviews by the Public Transport Authority (Western Australia) and transport policy initiatives under the Barnett Ministry and later the McGowan Ministry. Early feasibility studies referenced projects such as Sydney Metro, Melbourne Docklands, and European rail-cover schemes implemented in Paris and Barcelona as comparative models. Key planning instruments included the Metropolitan Region Scheme, local planning schemes administered by the Western Australian Planning Commission, and funding agreements negotiated with the Treasury of Western Australia.
Perth City Link encompassed rail trenching and deck construction to create developable land parcels adjacent to Perth railway station and Riverside Drive. Program elements comprised the sinking of tracks through the Claisebrook railway depot approach, construction of multi-storey mixed-use buildings, and provision of civic spaces linking to Perth Arena, Yagan Square, and the Northbridge Link. Major stakeholders included the Western Australian Land Authority, private equity firms, and domestic builders. Commercial components targeted tenants such as ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, and hospitality groups like Merivale and local restaurateurs, while residential towers attracted national developers including Peet Limited and Mirvac. Transport integration interfaced with Transperth services, the Joondalup railway line, the Fremantle railway line, and bus networks terminating at Perth Busport.
Construction was staged to maintain rail operations at Perth station and preserve service on the Mandurah railway line. Initial works included site establishment, utility relocations coordinated with Horizon Power and Western Power, and archaeological assessments with agencies such as the National Trust of Australia (Western Australia). Key milestones were the lowering of the rail corridor, creation of the deck over the trench, and sequential release of parcels for development—often procured through competitive tendering overseen by the Western Australian Department of Transport. Major contractors engaged included John Holland (construction company), Brookfield Multiplex, and BGC. Ancillary infrastructure required coordination with Main Roads Western Australia and the Australian Rail Track Corporation where interfaces occurred.
Design incorporated principles from the International Union of Architects-endorsed urban design frameworks and referenced landscape design by firms experienced in projects such as Federation Square and Barangaroo. Public realm features integrated native plantings by landscape architects familiar with Kings Park ecology and materials sourced through local suppliers. Structural works used post-tensioned concrete decks and noise attenuation measures informed by rail engineering standards of the Australian Rail Track Corporation and design codes from the Australian Standards. Multimodal access aligned with Transperth timetables and pedestrian linkages to Elizabeth Quay and the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. Environmental management plans followed guidelines by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (Western Australia), including stormwater treatment and contaminated land remediation protocols.
The project delivered new commercial floor space, residential apartments, retail precincts, and public open spaces intended to stimulate economic activity in the Perth CBD and Northbridge. Outcomes measured against projections by the Economic Regulation Authority (Western Australia) included increased foot traffic, enhanced property values monitored by the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia, and expanded event capacity benefitting venues like Perth Arena and the Perth Concert Hall. Transport outcomes included reduced pedestrian severance at Perth railway station and improved connectivity for commuters on the Mandurah railway line and Armadale line. Urban regeneration effects paralleled those observed in the Docklands, Melbourne redevelopment and Canary Wharf-era transformations in London.
Critics raised concerns through commentary in outlets such as The West Australian and submissions to the Western Australian Parliament about budget overruns, shifting scope under successive administrations, and the privatization of development parcels to major corporations like Charter Hall. Heritage advocates including the National Trust of Australia (WA) questioned impacts on the historic fabric surrounding Perth railway station and Wellington Square. Legal challenges involved contractors disputing variations and claims processed in state tribunals including the State Administrative Tribunal of Western Australia. Environmental groups, including local chapters of Greenpeace-linked activists, campaigned over tree removal and biodiversity offsets, citing reports to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
Planned and potential extensions consider further decking to unlock adjoining precincts, transit-oriented development linking to the proposed Perth Airport rail link, and integration with metropolitan strategies by the Western Australian Planning Commission. Private sector proposals include additional residential towers by firms such as Dexus and commercial precinct expansions advocated by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia. Long-term monitoring by agencies such as the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation and urban research by the Curtin University and the University of Western Australia will evaluate economic, social, and environmental performance as metropolitan growth projections evolve.
Category:Perth, Western Australia Category:Urban renewal in Australia