Yeah all these renders are from the PTA. Their only job is the actual transport works so they will hand it over to MRA pretty much as it looks in that render. Not sure of the details but they were planning a tiered landscape thing, possibly opening to the Horseshoe bridge. They are probably doing detailed design for celebration place now.

remember the atomic clock LOL

I'm just old enough to remember this (thats sarcasm for those who might not get it)

Not building an underpass to the bus station is just fucking stupid IMO. People who want to transfer from bus to train are not going to be stopping by the chemist on the street. Interhcanging is annoying enough as it is.

Hmm, not convinced on the lack of underground access to the new bus station.

I would have expected a link from the existing perth station-perth underground tunnel entrance to the underground bus station to allow additional access to the city without putting too many people across Wellington st. I think a certain number adds life to the streetscape, but too many makes problems of its own.

edit: add my voice to Ryans, it would be really fucking annoying to have to go up to ground level then have to walk across the wellington/william st intersection or around the block through celebration place to go back down again just to change from bus to train or vice versa.

Hmm, not convinced on the lack of underground access to the new bus station.

I would have expected a link from the existing perth station-perth underground tunnel entrance to the underground bus station to allow additional access to the city without putting too many people across Wellington st. I think a certain number adds life to the streetscape, but too many makes problems of its own.

Remember you will be able to walk straight under the Horseshoe bridge arches through celebration place, not along Wellington around the bridge. So People from Perth Underground will come through the underpass and up to ground at the Horsehoe Bridge, then across celebration place. Passengers from Perth Station can come through the main entrance or exit through the western side straight across celebration place.

Either way, up then down for the sake of 50 metres of 'life' in Celebration place?

Is Perth really so desparate for street life that it will make things that annoying forever after?

im with andy and ryan, seems pretty stupid to me

An important point, jackso.

Some relevant information from the Bus Project Master Plan:

An overall objective for the City, following work by Gehl Architects, is to “concentrate city life at street level” and the Master Plan for The HUB project aims to fulfil the Link objectives without compromising the needs of the community who wish to access the city using public transport and transfer between modes in a safe and sheltered environment.


While the Bus Station is located in close proximity to Perth Station and Perth Underground, analysis of SmartRider data shows the level of transfer of bus passengers between the Bus Station and train stations is relatively low.

The transfer between buses and trains is a small proportion of the peak direction (into the Bus Station by bus in the morning peak period and out of the Bus Station by bus in the evening peak period), representing from less than 10% of bus passengers to around 15%.

The Wellington Street Bus Station is therefore not, by definition, a transport interchange. It is a transport terminal in close proximity to other transport terminals and passenger requirements will be largely driven by pedestrian links to the city firstly, followed by links to other transport facilities within the HUB precinct.

For those criticising this decision, the master plan is available on the City Link website. I suggest reading through it and basing your arguments on that rather than your own 'armchair expertise'. I understand this forum caters to that sort of conversation and don't mean to offend, but some of these comments come across as rather uninformed.

And also, in order to get to the central island/waiting lounge area of the bus station a pedestrian underpass will have to go really deep - it would have to tunnel below the underground bus road. That's not feasible at all.

THat's probably the most important point ekul.

I would love a tunnel to the bus station.
The more nooks and crannys this city has the better.

It is more than 50m away. Looking closely, I don't think a tunnel is necessary. Better to have them on the street.

http://hockingpublic.powercreations.com.au/images/hocking-PhotoLibrary-115.png

http://www.hocking-hpa.com.au/projects/perth_city_rail_link.phtml

http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/perth-city-link/images/5-perth-city.jpg
Bus station entry.
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/perth-city-link/perth-city-link5.html

I think the design of the bus station would have had a lot to do with it. It is designed as a loop, and passengers are in the middle of the loop, not on the outside. Thus any underpass would have to have room above the roof of the bus station, but still below ground level, or would have had to excavate right down under the entire bus station and up through the middle of the loop.

curious to know what tha daily transit volumes are from perth trains to buses are tho?

curious to know what tha daily transit volumes are from perth trains to buses are tho?

It shouldn't matter. The more convenient transfers are made, the more likely more people will use public transport to get around.

i don't think it makes all tha much of a difference now... i think i'd prefer tha "theatre" of having to come up to tha square to get to tha bus station... it'd give a sense of arrival... not too fussed tbh..

Although come to think of it, the future light rail will run through the square. Perfect central point for all the PT services in the area.

It shouldn't matter. The more convenient transfers are made, the more likely more people will use public transport to get around.

If you're implying that the underpass would increase transit use, that's essentially the opposite of what the study relating to the station has found. Only a small percentage of people move directly from the train station to the bus station and vice versa, a pattern that is not expected to change any time soon.

It is really beyond question that an underpass should not be included. Urban planning decisions can often be subjective, but in this case everything from costing/feasibility to transit use patterns support the case against it.

I'm rather looking forward to the dynamic bus allocation system. It may well turn into a confusing, overcrowded mess, but from the conceptual plans it seems very space efficient and convenient. Not to mention futuristic.

From the masterplan document:

http://i.minus.com/ibugQWB0Bsjd4B.png
http://i.minus.com/ihZ1qyItdiBHG.png

An important point, jackso.

Some relevant information from the Bus Project Master Plan:

...quotes snipped...

For those criticising this decision, the master plan is available on the City Link website. I suggest reading through it and basing your arguments on that rather than your own 'armchair expertise'. I understand this forum caters to that sort of conversation and don't mean to offend, but some of these comments come across as rather uninformed.

Good post.

Essentially WSBS is just a place to park buses. It takes too long to get in and out of there (on the bus) that most inter-modal interchange happens on the street already, even with the less than convenient arrangements that exist at the moment.

From the UBS plan above it looks alot smaller than the current interchange!

I'm rather looking forward to the dynamic bus allocation system. It may well turn into a confusing, overcrowded mess, but from the conceptual plans it seems very space efficient and convenient. Not to mention futuristic.

Dynamic as in the stands don't have fixed routes associated with them? Changes by demand?

Yep.

Dynamic as in the stands don't have fixed routes associated with them? Changes by demand?

Pretty much, from the City Link website:

The dynamic bus allocation system is a tracking system which acts much like an airport gates system. The system monitors buses as they approach the station and allocates a ‘gate’ for the bus to arrive at. This information is communicated to passengers in a waiting lounge. This technology has been successfully at the Christchurch Bus Exchange in New Zealand and the Kamppi Terminal in Helsinki, Finland to maximise space-efficiency benefits.

http://i.minus.com/iFJDiR3nLmk5P.png

I've seen this system in Gothenburg. It works well.

Pretty much, from the City Link website:



http://i.minus.com/iFJDiR3nLmk5P.png

Sounds good, and modern, nice to hear. Also anyone know who is the lady in the red summer dress perchance? Will definitely increase my bus station usage.

I hope thats not how the interior ends up looking. It looks worse than the airport as it is.

I will always conceed in the face of properly presented evidence.

Obviously if there is data showing mode transfer is relatively low and incorporating a tunnel would be a significant additional engineering problem then I am happy to have no tunnel. Sorry for not looking into that myself.

On another note, the interior of the stations looks too similar to the busport for my liking.

Unimaginative is a polite way to describe it.

Perth-like?

Pretty Bland, makes it look like a bus station!

yeh it does look too much like a bus station...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/OrienteMGT.jpg/800px-OrienteMGT.jpg

This is a bus station...

I wonder how that system will work. I can picture hundreds of confused bogans running around because their bus isn't at the stand it was at yesterday. No one reads signs.

Heard on the news last night that the square near the bridge will be 'three times the size' of Federation Square, stated as if to say we were outdoing Melbourne.

Let's make the boring shadeless expanse ten times bigger and outdo the world.

with about a third of Melbourne's population (not even counting the CBD difference), I don't think that should be a selling point. Then again, people take pride in having the largest patch of 'grass' in the city so....

Yeah thats a calatrava bus and train station in Lisbon. It's amazing.

fed square's expansive open space works for tha climate, i agree... open expanses in tha new square for perth would be disastrous...let's hope tha landscape architects bring their game on...

i hope tha vision for tha top of tha train portal is for green space to cascade down from tha bridge to tha surrounding base of tha square...

Yeah thats a calatrava bus and train station in Lisbon. It's amazing.

Yah, it way of stating a train station can look amazing.
That isn't my expectation for Perth's though.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/OrienteMGT.jpg/800px-OrienteMGT.jpg

This is a bus station...

Beautiful, but suffers from the minor drawback of not being underground...

I think the skylights in the proposal are quite interesting, but beyond that there's very little that can be done architecturally for what is essentially a narrow concrete rectangle. Walls have to be covered in doors, as much floor space as possible has to be dedicated to seating. To me it looks light and inviting, which is a big step up from the current one.

Here's some pictures of the case study stations referenced in the master plan:

Kamppi Terminal, Helsinki
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2290/1606196746_b0d4927e2e_b.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3270/2793845801_48eeaf632e_b.jpg

Christchurch Bus Station:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3611/3621785996_51dc0fd3ea_z.jpg?zz=1
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3400/3205109829_a6d12c4dce_z.jpg?zz=1

As you can see, all very bland despite both these stations featuring significant above-ground components which Perth's will lack. The waiting room setup this system depends on really suffers design-wise in the same way that Airports do; architecture takes a backseat to functionality.

Looks like comfortable seats do as well......

That is very early concept render for the bus station. I'm sure it will look different - though not sure if different will be better or worse. The interiors of the pedestrian underpass look good so hopefully we can expect similar.

Expecting inspiring public architecture in Perth is a bit ambitious.

It is only an underground bus station...

Functionality should be the only real aim with this one.

Not really. We should aim for interesting spaces all over.

It's a bit silly to criticise this for a lack of 'interestingness', it is a piece of public transit infrastructure. Yes, stations like the one in Lisbon are beautiful on the outside, but what's inside? Seats, signage, shops and security, the same as everywhere else.

This station will be underground, it is a concrete box. Beyond flooring and choice of ceiling paint, there's little else design-related that is not limited by the need for functionality, accessibility and passenger amenity.

More bits from the master plan:

The Station will have a consolidated passenger waiting lounge, with high levels of amenity similar to airport waiting lounges. This follows international developments in bus station design, with quiet air‐ conditioned waiting areas, high quality seating and furnishings, real‐time information and excellent levels of lighting and safety. Passengers board buses via sliding glass doors.

The environment created for passengers within and around the Bus Station will have an important influence on functionality and passenger perceptions of quality and success of the facility. The Bus Station will be the “front door” to the bus network as strongly as the buses themselves and the impressions passengers and intending passengers get about their safety, comfort and value from the Bus Station will influence their perception of the entire network. The most successful and prominent Bus Stations have set new standards for quality in passenger facilities and PTA intends that the WSBS will reflect industry best practice in this regard.

The passenger lounge would be separately ventilated (air‐conditioned) to provide a pleasant and controlled waiting environment. The lounges would have high quality seating, fittings and finishes to provide a high degree of comfort and a high standard of passenger amenity, more consistent with an international airport than with a conventional bus station.

What more do you want? An international airport lounge sounds like a pretty fantastic outcome to me.

I look forward to this Bus station however I probably won't be living in the same place and won't be using that bus station by the time its complete :(

The current one is terrible in the heat or rain. (maybe we're all getting too precious these days?)

The current one is terrible in the heat or rain. (maybe we're all getting too precious these days?)

I think you're being a little too precious Ryan.

lol jokes. The Wellington St Bus Station is a heap of ugly shit.

It is only an underground bus station...

Functionality should be the only real aim with this one.

I have to agree some what- its bus station- transit area- not a hotel or open public space- I have no probs with it!

As for a bigger than Fed Sq- I agree Samy I dont hink thats a selling point LOL. A large uninviting concrete expanse will do nothing if not done properly- but you never know we all could be pleasantly suprised!

I'm not criticising it at all, just saying That even small, ultimately functional structures don't need to be excluded from having good design. I'm always surprised that some of the most interesting buildings I've seen are ones that would be, in many places admittedly, nondescript.

I think the space has a lot of potential to be utilised because its direct thoroughfare between CBD and NB. Lol, yeah I know, the glass is never half full here.

There's a glass?

No. But there is a mug. Made of concrete. Painted white.

Delete

Yeah but its not as good as the glass in Melbourne.

Source (http://www.oneperth.com.au/2012/02/05/2-3-million-a-metre/)

$2.3 million a metre
Posted on 05 February 2012.
CHRIS THOMSON

A misguided dash for Commonwealth cash was the cause of a $270 million blowout on the Northbridge Link project, a Parliamentary report reveals.

In what the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee dubs an “inadequately scoped and costed submission”, state officials in 2009 told their Commonwealth counterparts the Link would cost $468 million.

The federal government agreed to fund just over half that cost, $263 million, and – wisely from its perspective – said there would be no top-up.

The budget for the Northbridge Link now stands at $737.7 million.

Contributing to the $270 million blowout have been extra train platforms, bus bays, track, strength to underground components to cater for 30-storey buildings above, and a pedestrian underpass.

In one fell swoop, a government decision that it, and not a private developer, would deliver a town square added $73.1 million to the project cost.

The main purpose of the project is to sink 320 metres of railway line and link Northbridge to the Perth CBD.

The $737.7 project cost works out at $2.3 million-a-metre to sink the line.

In evidence published in the committee’s latest report on major infrastructure projects, Transperth CEO Reece Waldock said the cost quoted to Canberra was “very premature”.

Mr Waldock said it was only in March 2010 that the final scope was arrived at.

From his evidence, the committee concluded the Link “was probably not ready for consideration for funding” when the Commonwealth assessed it.

The Public Accounts Committee is headed by veteran Labor MLA John Kobelke. MLAs Joe Francis (Liberal), Tony Krsticevic (Liberal), Rita Saffioti (Labor) and Chris Tallentire (Labor) are the other members.

In minority views attached to the report, Mr Francis and Mr Krsticevic air concerns with “political statements” of the report in regard to the Link and say “crucial evidence” had been omitted for political gain.

Wasn't the request to the Feds when KRudd was handing out stimulus checks? They had to give them something.

The whole article is written for idiots. The scope increases, they re-estimate, and it's a "cost blowout". Makes sense.

Wasn't the request to the Feds when KRudd was handing out stimulus checks? They had to give them something.

The whole article is written for idiots. The scope increases, they re-estimate, and it's a "cost blowout". Makes sense.

It was funding from Infrastructure Australia, which receives funding from the Federal government and is then meant to somewhat independently assess State projects and provide funding.

You miss the point of the article, which was the request for funding was rushed and should have been better scoped to ensure the Commonwealth would be paying their fair share in the end.

Barnett will argue it had to be done while the money was on the table. The reality is, the Fed's would tip into a project like this most days of the week and contributions to major state projects have continued despite the end of the stimulus package. A good example being Fed funding for the Adelaide Oval redevelopment.

The scoping was obviously rushed but all it means is that the money will now come from state coffers rather than out of Federal funds.

No, I get that, but using the word "blowout" to refer to a project that hasn't started is wrong and misleading, especially when the new estimate is perfectly explainable. The whole article is brought down by that bullshit. No matter how valid the main point is, they are catering to the lowest common denominator by using that terminology.

There's also no rule that states that the Fed govt has to chip in half, that was completely arbitrary. Of course they would put money in now, but does that mean they would automatically pay half? In any event funding requests are always rushed because you have to convince people the money will be available before you spend a lot of money on it. It was a box to tick on the way to shoring up the project.

Another approach they could have taken is to submit some other project for stimulus funding, knowing that the Link would get money anyway.
However, the estimate for the other project would be even less well thought out and the contribution to the Link may have been less generous.

"The $737.7m project cost works out at $2.3 million-a-metre to sink the line."

...how many more fvcken lols can i have tonight....:rofl:

...and since when does a private developer want to build a fken town square?

I thought Chris Thompson/Commentking was on our side.

:(

what a cant

well we clearly need to demand from private developers for more public squares!!

sloppy. must have been in a rush to get some...

I thought Chris Thompson/Commentking was on our side.

:(

Ha, have you ever read his articles? He may have a lot of articles/info on developments around the city but very little of it has ever been pro-development.

Ha, have you ever read his articles? He may have a lot of articles/info on developments around the city but very little of it has ever been pro-development.

Luckily, not many people do. :)

Luckily, not many people do. :)

:lol:

you can't fault tha guy for trying tho... he only needs one big story to break to get massive traffic coming into his site... say like if basil zempilas was caught up in a todd mckinney style incident on tha esplanade a day before tha first shovel is dug out for tha new waterfront...

Basil Zempilas - sums up whats wrong with Perth.

you don't ever want to be at tha front of a line waiting to get into a bar and basil rocks up with his crew and they get ushered in straight away...

#b.b.t. #:(

you don't ever want to be at tha front of a line waiting to get into a bar and basil rocks up with his crew and they get ushered in straight away...

#b.b.t. #:(

a) NOone in Perth over the age of 23 should lineup outside any establishment.
b) Basil and his 'crew' should stick to Bingo.

lol. but i lined up to get into some bars and restaurants in tha west village, NY... and in san fran as well!

actually i'll put that down to my friend's "chief of staff" (odd title but whatever) not doing her job properly! :p

Yeah, but over there it's a handful of newish, popular places that you have to line up for, and generally it's a reasonable wait. Most places won't need you to line up.

i was just playing acc... if i can be hip and cool in line with other middle-aged b*tchez i new york, i can do tha same in perf! :p

Lol

Not sure if anyones seen this video on PCL's youtube channel. Nothing new really. Just Barney, Troy and Lisa having a good ol' talkfest.

h0xg-u7sIzo

is tha tunnel cut and cover or bore?

Cut and Cover.

Why do those videos always have the most terrible 80s music in them?

^^ That's an oxymoron - there was no terrible music in the 80s...

Haha, whatever!

On another note, does Lisa have braces/a grill?

she may have had them put on? i recently saw her at tha front of council house randomly giving me a wave in her mayoral mobile, her teeth looked normal.

Outrage! Perth mayor spends ratepayers money on "Boomtown" grillz.

Why do those videos always have the most terrible 80s music in them?

LOL exactly what I was thinking. We should have usher singing in the premier, not this!

Photo update from this afternoon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7200296@N04/sets/72157629328996067/

If anyone is interested in the more technical details of the transport side of the project, Engineers Australia is hosting a presentation by Robert Lowe, who is the Client Representative for the Perth City Link Alliance. Its free to attend, no RSVP required. Details here:
https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/20120223_-_rtsa1.pdf

The Presentation will describe the engineering conceptual planning, construction procurement process and the current stage of delivery.

Photo update from this afternoon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7200296@N04/sets/72157629328996067/

Welcome back.

Photo update from this afternoon
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7200296@N04/sets/72157629328996067/

Perth Central looks like a shit hole! Ha

I wish they'd replaced the roof while they're at the rest of it.

I wish they'd replaced the roof while they're at the rest of it.

^^ This

Perth Central looks like a shit hole! Ha

That's because you are now seeing it as the eyes of a Londoner :p

Not quite Kings Cross St Pancras init?

At least they could waterproof it.

What would the viable alternatives to the girder mesh be anyway?

I wish they'd replaced the roof while they're at the rest of it.

I wish they'd bury the other six tracks inside Perth Central and then just get rid of that roof.

I wish they'd bury the other six tracks inside Perth Central and then just get rid of that roof.

they wanted to but some archaeologist stopped them

I say just replace the roof. Not much value in sinking Perth central.

I'm sure it will be replaced in the long term, when it starts falling apart. Before that time, why bother? The "because it's ugly" argument is applicable to pretty much all non-heritage components of the station and car park...

You hardly notice the roof when you're inside, it's fine. The worst part of the station is the small size of the gated section of the concourse. Not enough space for that amount of people to move in.

email PTA and mention tha words FIRE HAZZARD, DEATH TRAP...

I wish they'd replaced the roof while they're at the rest of it.

Of course it looks dated, but I don't know, I don't think it looks too bad.

Not quite Kings Cross St Pancras init?

Didn't know a station could be so pretty, intill I seen that

I haven't seen King's Cross since renovation, but my favourite train station in Europe is Florence Santa Maria Novella. Needs some care too though.

I haven't seen King's Cross since renovation, but my favourite train station in Europe is Florence Santa Maria Novella. Needs some care too though.

Plus the Church directly opposite helps to give you that wow effect when you exit. I personally thought Milan Central was a better station. But f**k me I just love the ease of train transport around Europe. Why line up at the airport then get connections after landing when you can train in and out to the central stations.

PS - I saw Obama allocated significant funds to improving intercity US rail in his recent budget.

What surprises me is how many people continue to go all the way out to the airport, fly from London to Paris (or Paris to London) and then go all the way from the destination airport into the city rather than just taking the Eurostar.

I guess when the fares from the likes of Easy Jet or Ryan Air or other ultra-low-cost-carriers are so cheap, the money you save vs the train more than makes up for the extra time and inconvenience involved with flying.

I'm taking Eurostar from London to Paris. Soooooo excited.

I'm sure it will be replaced in the long term, when it starts falling apart. Before that time, why bother? The "because it's ugly" argument is applicable to pretty much all non-heritage components of the station and car park...

Totally agree, but in the meantime they probably could do something nice with it.

Eg cleaning/painting/installing strip LED uplights along the framework.

But at a likely cost of $728,999,999, I'd struggle to justify prettying it up too.

^^ True, true. Would be nice though.

Plus the Church directly opposite helps to give you that wow effect when you exit. I personally thought Milan Central was a better station.

Yeah, Milan was nice, but I loved the modernism and the rich curved marble throughout the station in Florence, also the windows. It's probably my favourite modernist building too.

Berlin's central station is my favourite "new" station.

Berlin's central station is my favourite "new" station.

Double yes. The Hbf stations reminded me of the structures in the movie Fortress. How good is a station that has multiple levels.

Yeah Berlin is great, but there's something about it which gives me the feeling it was just pumped out of an architectural office with a whole lot of other projects (that's basically how I feel about GMP).

I actually think it would be have been great to have had the Joondalup/Mandurah line running North-South beneath the existing station a little like the two levels of track at Berlin Hbf. Was that ever proposed when Perth Underground was planned?

I recon the most interesting station I have seen is Melbourne Central with its 2 or 3 lanes.

Not sure if anyone saw this last year. But these guys in the UK think the future is 'moving platforms'.

http://vimeo.com/25407213

Light years away if ever. But interesting concept. You get on a 'moving platform' aka train at your local station, then reach your long haul destination by never stopping and connecting to high speed trains as you move.

Very interesting concept.

Not sure if anyone saw this last year. But these guys in the UK think the future is 'moving platforms'.

http://vimeo.com/25407213

Light years away if ever. But interesting concept. You get on a 'moving platform' aka train at your local station, then reach your long haul destination by never stopping and connecting to high speed trains as you move.

Wouldn't the tram also have to be high speed, otherwise the "high speed trains" would need to keep slowing down every time they go anywhere near a town?

Yeah it looks like the train slows down, but I guess it's the difference between stopping and doing 70-80kmh that's the difference.

Yeh I would also assume the high speed train would have to slow down when connecting.

Given they are from the UK I think they are trying to address the problem of heavy rail lines that reach the end of their line at the city and don't go through them. E.g. you have to stop at 'Central South' (e.g. Waterloo), then get off and catch the Metro to 'Central Nouth' (St. Pancras), and then re-board to continue your journey.

Yeah I guess high speed trains spend ages slowing down and getting back up to speed between stations - taking out the deceleration and acceleration time would be the main benefit there.

:dance2: Kings Square development – not sure if this has been posted – anyway

http://designbuildsource.com.au/perth-office-building-to-make-a-kingly-statement

Been away for awhile, I will say this. Its not awful, but its not great in regards to the KS development.

We should have a little competition, what will be the tallest building in the PCL? Im going to suggest that no building will exceed 110m.

99m

I would luv to say 110 and I hope Im proved wrong but we seem to have a pobia with crossing the 100m Perth barrier so Ill say

98m

They are allowed to go taller than Raine on some sited so I'm guessing ~100m.

I do hope we get some stuff that's a bit more interesting than that for the other sites...

I hope one site gets lefts untouched for some reason and then they come back to it in 20 years (from now) having opened up to the idea of something taller ~300m.

I doubt anyone would be willing to finance a tower that tall on a site with such average views. The remaining chance for that is probably the Emu Brewery site.

Is that building on KS above designed to the height limit?

According to the "pretty pictures" on the first page the lowest height limit in the City Link precinct is 16 storeys.

But they're probably out of date.

Wasn't there a detailed publication of how tall, what sides of the buildings have primary, secondary access, etc. in the Link? Can't think where to find it though (atm).

they should get diploma onto it, they'll build at least 120m before anyone notices

they should get diploma onto it, they'll build at least 120m before anyone notices

needs more of this...

Wasn't there a detailed publication of how tall, what sides of the buildings have primary, secondary access, etc. in the Link? Can't think where to find it though (atm).

Design guidelines here: http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/Documents/Perth-City-Link/Perth-City-Link-Design-Guidelines.pdf

Design guidelines here: http://www.mra.wa.gov.au/Documents/Perth-City-Link/Perth-City-Link-Design-Guidelines.pdf

Yeah - that was the document.

So to the best of my reading most of the Kings Square sites should be minimum 13 level and maximum of 16 levels so this development will be two lower than the minimum. There is one site with a 9 level max so I don't think it would be that one.

I think it is Lot 7 - though stand to be corrected.

So its supposed to be a 13-16 site then?

Sorry Lot 8 - trying to do too much at once. 9 stories.

So it's an overdevelopment according to plan? That is very good then.

Now that I think of it that makes sense as the render clearly shows a building with no podium and lot 8 is the only one without a podium on Kings Square.

Lets hope all the other sites are 20 per cent taller than the plan then!

Reading the design guidelines, I see some good things in there. Like the requirement for bicycle parking in the buildings.

It would be a travesty for a company not to offer that these days though.

I ride to work and I would refuse to work for a company that didn't provide showers and secure bike racks.

Yeah this is lot 8, the smallest of the PEC site buildings. The others are a decent amount taller. They are doing this one first because with this one comes the extension of King St.

Lot 8 has a specified minimum of 20 residential dwellings, yet the actual development has zero? And its going to be 11 stories, when the maximum is supposedly 9?

Whats the point of design guidelines if they aren't even adhered to?

MRA would have come to an agreement with Leighton on the Kings Square Masterplan which covered a few lots that has a similar outcome to each individual lot in the design guidelines. For example instead of making Lot 8 mixed use with just 20 dwellings, they may have added 20 dwellings to one of the residential buildings being build behind the Wellington St fronting buildings. Same outcome, just split up a bit differently.

Hm ok.
So is Leighton developing all of Seven's PEC site? Or they're only contracted to do this building for now?

I'll be interested to see which lot will come next, and when. 7 hasn't got a great deal holding them up, none of their land is over the top of the railway works.
I guess financials is the only thing, its a huge project to do!

Leighton is developing the whole PEC site for Seven. So I think it is 6 buildings and all associated public realm.

The design guidelines show 3 buildings fronting Wellington and two behind, but I am pretty sure they have split it into 4 buildings fronting Wellington and two behind.

Wasn't there a plan to use part of the PEC site as a temporary bus station during the construction of the new underground bus station to help avoid the traffic chaos that having bus stops running the length of Wellington Street is likely to cause?

Also I wonder how much of the road leaving the existing WSBS and heading over the bus bridge encroaches on the Lot 5 land and what will have to be done about that?

Do we know if any of Lot 2 or Lot 3a will be developed once the Arena opens or will that have to wait until the rail works are complete? (I know both lot 3b and lot 4 cant be built until the rail works are finished)

I recon the lower levels of lot 2 or the podium levels of lot 3a would be the perfect place to build an 8-screen multiplex or similar with one of those really big screens (Vmax or whatever the other mobs call it) and one of the fancy cinemas (La Premiere or Gold Class or something) and if its built right could easily be successful. (especially with people looking for something to do after work as well as people looking for a "night out" with dinner & a movie)

The plan is to just use Wellington St as the bus station, and PEC site is a backup if needed..

Reading the design guidelines, I see some good things in there. Like the requirement for bicycle parking in the buildings.

It would be a travesty for a company not to offer that these days though.

I ride to work and I would refuse to work for a company that didn't provide showers and secure bike racks.

There was the Central Park article last week that mentioned that in addition to showers, etc. they also had things like irons, vending machines with bike parts, etc.

Yeah CP has something like 200 bike racks which is a huge amount.

Also remember BHP is getting a sizable amount as well.

And 386 Murray has heaps, with public facilities. If it goes ahead.

I worked at Woodside Plaza and rode, and the lockers, showers there were always packed out (moreso in summer). So the appetite is out there for more of it I reckon.

There was the Central Park article last week that mentioned that in addition to showers, etc. they also had things like irons, vending machines with bike parts, etc.

Yeah when I was in Germany I saw vending machines in the city centre of Dresden selling bike tubes. How great is that!

I highly doubt anything like that would ever make it to Canberra:(

Lille in France is one of the leading cities to encourage cyclists into their city, plenty of incentives and end of trip facilities.

perth city link could do with something like this...

http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1273763816-iluma-1-2010-pbh-041.jpg
http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1273763843-iluma067-1000x666.jpg
http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1273763836-iluma5-018-726x999.jpg
http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1273763803-iluma-1-2010-pbh-035-767x1000.jpg
http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1273763811-iluma-1-2010-pbh-039-1000x775.jpg
sauce (http://www.archdaily.com/59896/iluma-woha/)

Sexy!

Nice! Where's that?

Ah Singapore, that explains it. The former fishing village of a British colony that dared to think big.

But I can't go to Marina Bay and fish anymore like I could in the 1950s!

...ironically SG is one city that has gone too far with development. Would have been nice if the govt there was somewhat more sympathetic towards some of the old colonial buildings and shophouses that were demolished.

You'll never get anything that daring in Perth, not in a million years! Singapore is just 'lucky' that there isn't any public consultation processes for any project. Everything is left to their government agencies to decide what goes up and what doesn't. Only occasionally do you get some groups calling out against projects, sometimes with results (stopped development on Chek Jawa, a mangrove swamp on an island off Singapore), or mostly none at all (proceeding to build a 4 lane carriageway through a cemetery once all the graves are exhumed... most of them belonging to the forefathers of Singapore).

^^ Im not so sure about that anymore. I know weve always has the usual box but Perth Arena and 140 William are stepping stones.

well... tha facade treatments are realistic in perth. curves on buildings would be a bonus!

It's funny how relatively little attention this project has been getting both here and in the media due to the waterfront ruckus. I actually think this is the most significant project to happen since I've known what significant means.

Even without PCL, Perth City and Northbridge have both made a lot of small gains recently. Laneway redevelopments, small character bars, and more niche areas are being catered for. The binding of the two with PCL will be the best thing to happen in the city for the next 50 years.

It is funny that the Esplanade and the railway separating Northbridge and the CBD are about the same age. Surely significantly important people have travelled the railway between Freo and Perth to make the railway tracks in this area holy land that should not get changed for heritage reasons.

Throw the argument to them, I want to see how they respond to that. I'm sure the Perth Railyard has got mountains of heritage attached to it.

Nah - don't want them having a 600-800 people rally against the City Link project too. Not that they would anyway because it isn't going to add 3 minutes driving time which (along with the blocked views of certain buildings) is what the real issues are with the Waterfront.

Maybe they would have the rally on the rail tracks though....

I know that's terrible but I had to go there.

Nice pics crave, would be good if they did do something resembling those buildings!

It is funny that the Esplanade and the railway separating Northbridge and the CBD are about the same age. Surely significantly important people have travelled the railway between Freo and Perth to make the railway tracks in this area holy land that should not get changed for heritage reasons.

Semi-serious response to a facetious post...

Most of the 'heritage' was ripped out between about 1968 and 1990 - i.e. the old goods yards and supporting infrastructure. Most was rebuilt for electrification, including major modifications to the station itself (which is still heritage listed iirc).

Sounds a lot like The Esplanade doesn't it...

Serious answer to a serious answer to a facetious post...

Thanks for that - I didn't really remember the exact history of the railway.

It looks like they might be redirecting the connection between the bus port and the bus bridge through the Ch7 land for some reason.
(unless it is actually an access road for that land)

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5892/link120302.jpg
Hosted on ImageShack (http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/5892/link120302.jpg) (by me)

There was a land swap somewhere around there so it's probably no longer c7 land.

The land swap was just a small section on the north side for a small bit on the east side (IIRC). That road seems to go through the middle of the Ch7 land.

Aye. Who knows then? Maybe it's going to be one of the streets there.

Maybe. The way it lines up with the busport and the yellow painted lines makes me think it is a temporary connection. Maybe they need to use the land near the railway whilst they do their works?

Just read in the latest 'Connect' newsletter (available here (http://shared.epra.wa.gov.au/Documents/Connect-Newsletter/Connect-Newsletter---March-2012.pdf)) that GreenhilLi is the architect for the rail component. Anyways, went to their website: http://www.greenhilli.com/
and there is lots of renders that haven't been published before. Have a look!
(Go to Work - Transit & Infrastructure)
Also turns out they were the Architects for Perth Underground.

Fuck yeah, love those sculptural light wells.

Also turns out they were the Architects for Perth Underground.

In collaboration with HASSELL.

Is it just me or is there a 3rd floor that doesn't exist on the top of the old station building in those renders?

Good spotting. I really hope that isn't part of the redevelopment, they look like the negotiation buildings in the Korean Demilitarised Zone.

http://i.minus.com/i1RDCEo5vn59Y.png

I have seen

I have seen pics of Perth station with how it was meant to be with a third floor and a dome, would live for them to finish the building how the original plan intended.

but would you die for it?

but would you die for it?

Haha nice.
Just laughed out loud lying in bed looking at my HTC.

Good spotting. I really hope that isn't part of the redevelopment, they look like the negotiation buildings in the Korean Demilitarised Zone.

http://i.minus.com/i1RDCEo5vn59Y.png

We could have the Transit and Police officers stare each other off on the line of demarcation.

Personally, I can't wait for them to fix the back-to-front w on the Perth Railway Station signage on the Wellington St frontage.

Just read in the latest 'Connect' newsletter (available here (http://shared.epra.wa.gov.au/Documents/Connect-Newsletter/Connect-Newsletter---March-2012.pdf)) that GreenhilLi is the architect for the rail component. Anyways, went to their website: http://www.greenhilli.com/
and there is lots of renders that haven't been published before. Have a look!
(Go to Work - Transit & Infrastructure)
Also turns out they were the Architects for Perth Underground.

I cannot see the Sapphire Clock in these renders.

It got canned from its position. There was talk that it might possibly pop up somewhere else in the Link, but I won't hold my breath.

I'd be happy with a cubic zirconia clock at this stage.

What was wrong with the position?

A Swatch even

NEW IDEA FOR PUBLIC CLOCK

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KmiOHiCTmwo/TCyqRHipttI/AAAAAAAAFj4/hI0_cgbDRpI/s400/1.jpg

^^
That would seriously look cool 10 times the size and stuck in the middle of the Wellington St / William St intersection.

There's been an advertising tower on that corner going all the way back to the 1920s. It would be a great tradition to uphold; but using the latest technology. If they invested in a multi-faceted big-screen that combined rolling TEXT that wrapped around the tower: News headlines, weather, ASX figures, sports results etc.

On the big screens some seriously-smart animated adverts (a' la Piccadilly Circus) alternating with live pictures from various sources: sport, live performance.

It would give that space some real meaning.

I say there is enough advertising in this town, we should completly get rid of that giant ugly billboard for good.

No way, more advertising I say.

Rebuild that brown thingy into like a neon size billboards and it will be the bomb.

New York has times square, Perth has celebration place.

--

A big billboard LED screen is good but we have to get out of the mentality of "copying" other cities. Try something bold, something fresher.

.....Perhaps a 50 metre tall glass swan statue in the middle of the plaza that shoots laser from its eyes incinerating litter bugs?

Wow what a stupid thing to say. Heaven forbid Perth copy a good proven idea from cities allover the world!

There's no such thing as unique any more. Everything has been pretty much done before.. The idea is to find something worthwhile to copy and do it well

Wow what a stupid thing to say. Heaven forbid Perth copy a good proven idea from cities allover the world!

Completely agree, very stupid indeed! Also their suggested replacement is very silly! Lasers are very expensive, and imagine the legal problems!!

Perth should definitely copy New York's good proven idea of a sliver of concrete in the middle of a major road intersection that is visited solely for the sake of looking at commercial billboards.

Do I detect just the slightest hint of sarcasm....??

They should put up a giant billboard for AMI; Perth's classy like that.

Isn't it all about stimulating the senses?...Keeps the crime rate down. ie FoP

Times Sq etc...you can't help but be sweep up.

Keep the tower, but put a big round LED screen around it
then adverts can run around it so people from all directions can see it :O

There is meant to be two structure on the buildings facing the plea that sort of bookend celebration place that could conceivably work as advertising towers, however I think they will just end up being light boxes. The CoP isn't very open to advertising and I doubt the MRA is either.

The tower itself is a complete POS.

The LCD/ LED/ OLED display idea is fine, but knock that crap down.

I've never liked that tower either.

http://purl.slwa.wa.gov.au/slwa_b2998423_1.jpg
Bring it back, I say!

Yeah, fuck LED.

Animated old school neon all the way.

Why the fuck did the city have to get so anal about advertising?

Peter Nattrass and Richard Court were fucking commies.

because we don't want to be tacky (apparently)

Maybe. The way it lines up with the busport and the yellow painted lines makes me think it is a temporary connection. Maybe they need to use the land near the railway whilst they do their works?

The temporary bus lanes they are building are so they can cut the channel for the underground train and bus links. There is a new temporary road that should be finished by the end of the month that will run the busses past the Arena and down Wellington street so works can get underway on the tunnel.

The next stage of works around Perth Station will start in April.

The two sections of work are on Wellington St and Barrack St Bridge.

Barrack St: April 2012 - late 2012
The southbound lanes on Barrack St Bridge will be closed to so that construction of the bridge extension can be done, to provide space for the new tracks to the new platform.

Wellington St: May 2012 - mid 2013
From William St to Forrest Place, Wellington St will be 1 lane each direction.
This is for construction of the new pedestrian underpass connection to Perth Underground.
Also includes closing and demolishing the staircase on the Wellington Street side of the Horseshoe Bridge. (YAY!)

Full info here: http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/perthcitylink/RailProject/Currentworks/BarrackStBridgeandWellingtonStroadworks/tabid/541/language/en-AU/Default.aspx


http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/Portals/2/Images/PCL/Road%20works%20-%20map.JPG

because we don't want to be tacky (apparently)

Because Perth is a bastian of good taste.

The temporary bus lanes they are building are so they can cut the channel for the underground train and bus links. There is a new temporary road that should be finished by the end of the month that will run the busses past the Arena and down Wellington street so works can get underway on the tunnel.

So does the location of this temporary road and works affect the ability for Channel 7 to build on the Entertainment Center site?

Since there is very small chance of that happening in Perth (we just don't have the originality and foresight here. It's worth more demolished and that's how developers work here) so the only other option is getting rid of it.http://www.australialuxe.info/013-3.jpg
http://www.australialuxe.info/huang3.jpg
http://www.australialuxe.info/huang2.jpg

Die spammer, die!

All the broken images in their comment link to "http://www.australialuxe.info/huang2.jpg". google it and see they've spammed it on many forums.

Good to see the PR team active. Hopefully the first of many videos!
NI800z1I2Yw

Very interesting video!

So does the location of this temporary road and works affect the ability for Channel 7 to build on the Entertainment Center site?

The temporary road wont be going through their site and its only temp till they have built the tunnel section for Milligan street. Channel 7 wont be building on their site for a little while anyway theres lot of ground work to be done yet.

I'm kind of surprised that when Perth Underground was built originally, there wasn't an access escalator from the corner of William and Wellington on either the north-west or north-east part of the intersection. Would've made transferring between there and Wellington Bus Station quicker.

Oh well, better late than never.

When they were planning the underground works there was no guarantee that the bus station was going to be there long term.

Horseshoe Bridge staircase to be removed.

From the Guardian Express 20 March 2012
ROAD works start next month as part of the project to sink the train line and reconnect the CBD with Northbridge.
Work begins at Barrack Street Bridge from mid-April until later in the year and on Wellington Street, from William Street to the front of Perth Station, from mid-May until mid-2013.

Perth City Link Rail Alliance manager John Anderson said the road works, which include closing and removing the staircase on the Wellington Street side of the Horseshoe Bridge, would allow for the upgrades at Perth station.

He also said the Alliance aimed to restrict the works to limited areas, so there would be minimal vehicle congestion and bus services could run.

“We have also ensured pedestrian access has been maintained between Perth Station and Forrest Place and into Citiplace from Barrack Street,” he said.

Wellington Street will be one lane in both directions from William Street to Forrest Place, with the two westbound lanes re-opening later in the year, while the southbound lanes on Barrack Street will also be closed.

The blue CAT stop on Barrack Street will move to Beaufort Street (Art Gallery of WA).

The Wellington Street bus stops between William and Barrack streets will be closed from May until later in the year.


http://www.pta.wa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=LZqUGY%2bCr4o%3d&tabid=541&mid=1462&language=en-AU

Can't wait to see that stair case go.

I swear I saw the interior of that stairwell being repainted only a couple of months ago!
Any one else see that? Bit odd to repaint right before demolition...

So this is the stair case that use to be the over head walk way that led to forrest place

I swear I saw the interior of that stairwell being repainted only a couple of months ago!
Any one else see that? Bit odd to repaint right before demolition...

They must have used urine as the base for the paint ;)

I swear I saw the interior of that stairwell being repainted only a couple of months ago!
Any one else see that? Bit odd to repaint right before demolition...

Sort of like the new lane on the Mitchell Freeway between the GFF and Hutton. over the last year they have been installing new crash barriers right up to the road edge, i'm sure a lot of it will be ripped up.

They may have just painted over the exposed bits when they removed the walkway?

Bout time those lines were sunk. This is really welcome news. That staircase doesn't look or smell half as bad as inside Central Station or Flinders St

Sort of like the new lane on the Mitchell Freeway between the GFF and Hutton. over the last year they have been installing new crash barriers right up to the road edge, i'm sure a lot of it will be ripped up.

We all know Perth doesn't plan for the future :ohno:

So this is the stair case that use to be the over head walk way that led to forrest place

Yes. It's the 70s staircase that seems to chomp into the Victorian balustrade on the downward side of the Horseshoe Bridge. It comes down to street level. Total stuff the shape of the bridge. I guess when the underground walkways are finished - we'll have the interconnect-ability we need.

Anyone know what's planned for the Stirling/Beaufort Street corner? I've been thinking this is where they'll squeeze in the line to the extra platform that will run along the Roe Street side of the station.

There's an article in the Fin Review stating that 7 is no longer moving to the Perth City Link ... and will instead build a 3 storey building ... in Osborne Park next to WAN

There's an article in the Fin Review stating that 7 is no longer moving to the Perth City Link ... and will instead build a 3 storey building ... in Osborne Park next to WAN

Yup, they came within a gnats whisker of moving into the old EC. They'll cuddle up to WAN - which has plenty of space on the Herdsman's Lake site. But Seven don't need much space these days. It's not as though they make anything apart from News, Weather and the once a year Telethon. They could manage that from a desk-top behind the bike shed.

Happening the world over. The BBC's famous (and heritage listed) Television Centre (8 studios, design and paint workshops, edit suites and offices) is up for sale. BBC can do everything it wants from a modest office block.

And the streets of Cardiff

There's an article in the Fin Review stating that 7 is no longer moving to the Perth City Link ... and will instead build a 3 storey building ... in Osborne Park next to WAN

Yeah it's a shame as we need a few tenants to kickstart this precinct. I can't however see us in the short term having enough demand to fill the proposed apartment towers but the sinking /excavation works have started right on cue. The eastern states should take a leaf out of how Perth does major infrastructure projects.

The Channel 7 thing is a little disapointing, but it's not like it was a make of break thing.

The only things I know of that CH7 make here in WA in a studio is the news (including sport and weather) and Today Tonight (or is TT filmed in Sydney even though its supposedly "Perth's Today Tonight). For the last few years all the Telethon stuff has come from the PCEC AFAIK.

It would have been nice but as Jon said what the hell does Ch7 do here anyway? They can probably run their entire operation from fat cat's shed.

A street-side news studio would've added a lot to the area though, might've even been a bit of a drawcard. A promotional store also might've added something relatively interesting to the sushi/chemist/30-40y.o. women's fashion mix.

TT is done in Perth, there's an Adelaide version too, and an 'East Coast' version. Only other thing I can think that 7 Perth do is Home in WA and other semi advertorial stuff. I suppose it's a question of what they fund versus what they *make*, I'd wager what they make in house is limited to the news.

And disappointing news, not unexpected given what people have said in the past. Last I heard they were aiming for a studio on the Waterfront site, which I guess is still possible, there's no real need to have studios + offices all on the same block. Not that I'm holding my breath

Yeah I think it would have been great for the City but I realy didnt think it wouldnt happen.

If you look at what has happened in Sydney and Melbourne with both Seven and Nine, they have moved away from having vast studio complexes towards having less studios (for the things they really do need to make in-house like news, current affairs, morning programs, breakfast TV etc) and having things like dramas and lifestyle shows and reality TV and game-shows either made completly by 3rd parties or made by the networks using facilities and studios owned by third parties (e.g. Docklands Studios Melbourne)

I heard that Ch10 show "Its a Knockout" was all filmed in Singapore because of the costs. I dont know how accurate it is, but kinda shows the state of tv production in Australia

It wasnt the costs, it was the fact that it was impossible for them to secure liability insurance in Australia. The same thing happened with the short-lived "Australian" version of Wipeout.

Pretty sure It's a Knockout was KL, not Singapore.

Ahk, sorry I didn't know the whole story I just heard some mermers of it being filmed offshore due to cost.
Thanks for clarification.

http://i.minus.com/jjZ3qZ9QuwrJR.JPG (http://minus.com/mbl3i2uPr7/5f)

Anyone know of any pictures of the Telstra from the same high angle (where you can see the roof) only zoomed in further? There is a contest running on another forum I follow where you have to build a model of a building from your area in LEGO bricks and I am thinking of doing Telstra but cant find any good views of the roof :)

Why not try Nearmap?

looks pretty good to me

https://www.nearmap.com/?ll=-31.950659,115.853923&z=20&t=k&nmd=20120123

I heard that Ch10 show "Its a Knockout" was all filmed in Singapore because of the costs. I dont know how accurate it is, but kinda shows the state of tv production in Australia

As previously mentioned, it was filmed in Kuala Lumpur due to costs.

It wasnt the costs, it was the fact that it was impossible for them to secure liability insurance in Australia. The same thing happened with the short-lived "Australian" version of Wipeout.

That was in Argentina, and all versions of Wipeout are filmed there.


There is also the added "benefit" of less stringent health & safety regulations, and penalty rates.

Thanks, the pics on NearMap are just what I need.
Already taken some nice close up shots of the front of the building the other day. Just need to go back and grab one or 2 more shots and I can build this thing.

Then all I have to do is to find the right parts in my collection to build the curved roof feature at the scale I am aiming for.