18/9/05
The State Government officially handed back the lion’s share of the internationally acclaimed Subi Centro urban renewal project to the City of Subiaco today, celebrating the milestone with key project players and the community in Subiaco Square.
In 1996, planning authority for the 80ha project - bordered by Salvado and Roberts Roads and Hay and Jersey Streets - was transferred to the Subiaco Redevelopment Authority (SRA), created by the State Government to revitalise the under-utilised area and sink a portion of the Perth to Fremantle railway line through Subiaco.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the SRA had done an excellent job in transforming what was contaminated and under-used industrial land into a world-class example of transit oriented development.
“The Subi Centro project will be handed back to the City of Subiaco in three stages,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“The first stage, which represents the majority of the project, was delivered to the City today and the remaining stages will follow in years to come, following completion of the remaining parts of the redevelopment area.
“The project has been highly successful in reconnecting Subiaco with Wembley through the sinking of the railway line, which has also freed up land for new neighbourhoods, roads, public open space and commercial development.”
The Minister said the SRA would continue to redevelop the remainder of the project area, which included areas still under construction, such as Subiaco Rise and the Australian Fine China site, currently in the concept-planning phase.
Subi Centro will eventually house nearly 2,000 residents in 800-900 new dwellings, accommodate a new working population of 3,000 employees and create approximately 80,000sqm of new commercial and retail space.
A post-occupancy survey of Subi Centro residents, conducted early this year, indicated that residents were highly satisfied with their homes and the facilities offered at Subi Centro.
The project has attracted more than $500million of private sector investment, from an initial SRA contribution of $130million.
A world-class example of urban redevelopment, the project was recognised in 2004 as Australia’s best Urban Renewal Project in the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s (UDIA) Awards.
Ms MacTiernan said transit-oriented developments such as Subi Centro were part of the Gallop Government’s plan to protect WA’s unique lifestyle by curbing urban sprawl and encouraging vigorous, lively development near public transport hubs.
“We want Perth to have a network of lively town centres developed around public transport hubs - reducing car dependency and bringing new life and jobs to our suburbs,” she said.
Minister's office: 9213 6400
