$8.5 million for creating Perth historical precinct

9/6/94

The creation of a special heritage precinct in Perth, restoration work on Government House and the redevelopment of East Perth are among the highlights of this year's State Budget for the inner city area.

Premier Richard Court said today $8.5 million would be spent this year towards the creation of a Perth historic precinct in and around the Perth Town Hall.

"The Government has a clear and committed focus to bringing life back into the city, and preserving what heritage buildings we have remaining will help achieve that," Mr Court said.

"The creation of a special historic precinct around the town hall will create a civic and cultural focus which will help the city achieve its full potential as a vibrant place in which to live and work."

The Premier said $604,000 would also be spent on the conservation and upgrading of Government House and $290,000 on the Supreme Court building.

"The Government is determined to ensure that the public receives better value for money across the range of tax-payer funded State services," he said.

Mr Court said the continuing redevelopment of East Perth would also continue with more than $27 million to be spent over the next 12 months.

"East Perth is one of Australia's most ambitious urban renewal projects, and will play a large part in bringing people back to the city," he said.

Mr Court said that while the Government was keen to bring life back into the city, other inner city areas such as Maylands and Glendalough would also receive strong support in this year's Budget.

Works would include:

·       $200,000 on the upgrade of Bayswater primary school, one of the oldest in the metropolitan area;

·       $537,000 on the continued upgrade of facilities at the Morley bus station redevelopment;

·       Homeswest to spend more than $1.15 million on the purchase and construction of homes for people on low incomes in Maylands and $548,000 in Glendalough;

·       $745,000 on alterations and extensions to Tuart College in Tuart Hill;

·       $800,000 on a new Oncology service at Royal Perth Hospital;

·       $300,000 on the upgrade of cells at the East Perth lock-up in line with recommendations from the Royal Commission into Black Deaths in Custody;

·       $10 million on stage two of the East Perth campus of Central Metropolitan College of TAFE;

·       $890,000 on additions and improvements to Mt Lawley high school;

·       $2.5 million on new sewerage works in Maylands and $738,000 in Perth; and -

·       $7.3 million on the replacement of the Bunbury Bridge rail crossing east of the city.