Western Australia

WEST Australian Transport Minister Troy Buswell last week inspected progress on the $240 million railway expansion project to extend the Joondalup Line 7.5 kilometres north, to the new Butler Station.

The visit coincided with the start of work to lay the track and install the overhead traction wiring equipment. The track work starts near the southern end of the Nowergup railcar depot, just north of the existing end-station at Clarkson, and progresses north.

THE West Australian Government last week said it is providing private sector developers of all sizes with an opportunity to take part in the second stage of LandCorp's new inner city development, Springs Rivervale.

Twelve mixed-use and residential development sites, ranging in size from 1,036 to 5,100 square metres, will be sold to developers by private treaty.

THE West Australian Government has announced that the demolition of 130 properties is underway to transform the Brownlie housing precinct in Bentley into an appealing new neighbourhood.

Housing Minister Terry Redman, who was on site last week to view the first stage of the Brownlie Precinct Regeneration Project, called it an exciting and significant housing project.

THE City of Perth last week announced its vision and long term plans for cycling and bike infrastructure, officially endorsing and publicly releasing the Cycle Plan 2029 and Cycle Implementation Program 2012 – 2017.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the Cycle Plan is an exciting first for the city that will encourage the use of bikes to and from, as well as within, the CBD area, by making cycling an attractive every day transport choice for city residents and workers.

THE Gateway WA Consortium, comprising Leighton Contractors, Georgiou, GHD, AECOM and BG&E, has been chosen as the preferred alliance partner to deliver the billion dollar Gateway WA project, with construction work expected to commence early next year.

Gateway WA, the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by Main Roads WA, involves a major upgrade to the road network surrounding Perth Airport and the freight and industrial hubs of Kewdale and Forrestfield.

FOLLOWING a comprehensive 12-month planning process, West Australian Premier and State Development Minister Colin Barnett and Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron last week released the new Perth Stadium Project Definition Plan (PDP).

The PDP outlines an estimated base cost of $690 million for the stadium infrastructure and $70.2 million for the surrounding sports precinct (in June 2011 dollars).  An additional $142.4 million has been allowed for escalation through to the project's expected completion in 2018.

THE West Australian Government last week called for expressions of interest (EOI) from leading developers or hotel chains to develop a distinctive landmark hotel in the centre of South Hedland's new CBD.

Regional Development and Lands Minister Brendon Grylls said the development of Lot 1502, a 3,472 square metre site located on Wise Terrace next to the newly developed town square, would help address the need for more hotel rooms in the region.

THE City of Perth Council has initiated an amendment to the City Planning Scheme No. 2, with proposed changes to the built form controls (heights and setbacks) across large parts of the city.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the proposed changes to the built form controls, together with the recently advertised proposed changes to plot ratio controls, would ensure that the City's planning scheme supported the future development of the city over the next 20 years.

WEST Australian Planning Minister John Day last week announced a Metropolitan Region Scheme amendment that will facilitate future urban development of more than 100 hectares of land for the first stage of the Keralup housing project.

Mr Day said as a State Government landholding, Keralup formed a key component of the government's housing affordability strategy and would also ensure an adequate supply of land to meet anticipated population growth in the Southern Metropolitan and Peel regions.

A PREFERRED route has been determined for the planned rail line to Perth Airport, West Australian Transport Minister Troy Buswell announced last week.

The Minister said the planned alignment branched from Bayswater station (Midland line) to the future consolidated Perth Airport terminal. Options eastwards from the airport are also planned.

THE West Australian Government last week called for expressions of interest for the first land release for the Elizabeth Quay project (formerly Perth Waterfront), which aims to transform Perth by reconnecting Swan River to the CBD.

Planning Minister John Day said two sites adjacent to Barrack Square would be the first to go to market and would meet the State Government's key objective of delivering a new premium hotel in the project area.

THE West Australian Government last week released new guidelines to inform the preparation of structure plans for land use and urban development.

Planning Minister John Day said the guidelines would increase efficiency and effectiveness across the planning system by making the structure plan preparation process more consistent and easier to navigate.