... i'm saying, there's nothing wrong with tha target of "3000" population...

Thats where we disagree.

For the rest, talk to the hand girlfriend, or whatever you people are using as a zinger these days.

I talk to barnett's brother in law's janitor all the time. Also had a chat to the cabbie on the way to the airport and they both tell me the link would make that section of town 10 times better than it has been for a very long time. Zoning isn't going to be an issue. I found the word resident mentioned 20+ times in another link document. So it's all good people, we can sleep well.

best samboy post ever

i just wanted to say that one thing i am disappointed about, with the Link plan, is that there is no pedestrian connections between roe street and wellington street west of Perth Arena, near Fitzgerald Street... i think a connection there would be great for movement, and to keep people in the area and make it more accessable, and hopefully deter antisocial behaviour from occuring.

just one thought

Sign :)

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7365/dsc0134a.jpg

^^ didnt that replace the old nbl sign? this one will fade till its unreadable also i bet

I'd say these would be taken down when the 2 sites are sold. And I dont think it will take that long..

Hey Ryan!

This would be cool - as much a fan of the building I am, I accept it's going but to have some part of it remain would be awesome, particularly if it can be part of an entertainment venue.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/the-entcent-can-rise-again-20100312-q3jf.html

A long-time Perth Entertainment Centre employee tells Joseph Sapienza the EntCent can be downsized and turned into a 3000-seat lyric theatre as part of The Link development project.

Warren Herft began his long and memorable stint at the Perth Entertainment Centre as a roadie back in May, 1979.

He only left the Centre on a few occasions to work interstate as well as on tours with rock bands INXS and Men At Work through WA.

He was there up until its doors closed in August 2002, assuming the role of technical manager, and is now an on-call caretaker at the site.

For him and many of his former colleagues, seeing the Centre – with its rich history – sitting there dormant on prime city land for all these years has been a source of frustration.

But what has concerned Herft and his fellow staffers even more are the whispers that have started to circulate about the future of the site.

There have been suggestions its owner, Channel Seven, could bulldoze the entire venue and possibly erect a city studio on the land, among a mix of office and residential towers, as part of The Link project.

It's an idea that disturbs Herft - who is adamant a vital part of the Entertainment Centre can still remain and help pave the way for a prominent cultural attraction in the heart of the city for many years to come.

The wide-reaching backstage area of the Perth Entertainment Centre is considered one of the best set-ups in the world and in the late 1990s, was more than capable of coping with the demands of hosting basketball, concerts and theatre productions.

In one year, the Entertainment Centre held 260 events in 360 days.

In 1998, Herft remembers the Centre hosted 88 consecutive shows of The Phantom of the Opera – a statistic he believes shows the Perth Entertainment Centre can easily be turned into a 3000-seat lyric theatre in its second life.

Highly-acclaimed British theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh – who spearheads The Phantom of the Opera – applauded the Entertainment Centre as "one of the best backstages we've been to", Herft said.

Last year when the musical was hosted at Burswood Theatre, Herft says venue staff had to build extra dressing rooms to cope with the massive production.

All the more reason, he says, for turning the Centre into a down-town theatre which could attract the high-profile productions Melbourne and Sydney host on a regular basis.

"Everyone talks about development and building units, but at the same time I'm sure the people who buy the units would like some sort of other types of entertainment rather than just Perth Arena," Herft says.

"There'll be only a certain type of show at Perth Arena - at least if you had a lyric theatre here, the people who buy in this area will already have an established attraction in the development.

"You can't just build units and coffee shops and expect people to come into it just for that, or just for the Arena, because that's narrowing your market in a way.

"When you think about Perth Arena, a lyric theatre and the new performing arts centre (on Roe Street) would complement all the development in this area, so to me, I can't see why it couldn't help.

"It's not going to be a hindrance to build another type of activity or entertainment venue besides Perth Arena."

And he said the idea of knocking down the Centre (with its 8000-seat capacity) simply defied logic, as not many cities in Australia would pull down venues as soon as a new one was built.

In fact, it would only plunge Perth further into the entertainment doldrums.

"If they're talking about Perth being in the big time, well it's not going to go into the big time by pulling down venues," Herft claims.

"It's going to the big time by having more venues. If Perth needs multiple venues – say even for a Commonwealth Games - how are we going to do it?"

He didn't see Perth Entertainment Centre re-opening in its original layout, as there could be some conflict with the Perth Arena.

"To me, the next logical step is to at least turn this into a 3000-seat arena rather than reopening, therefore they can build more buildings on the site and they can revamp the whole site except for the backstage area," he says.

"There's a two-feet-thick wall that separates the backstage from the theatre, so if we keep the backstage and build the lyric theatre, then they can build apartments and offices as part of the whole complex as well."

Herft said architects and venue managers elsewhere had queried "why have less venues when you've got a chance to have more?"

And when the Hopman Cup does eventually move to Perth Arena, the lyric theatre next door could be used for the Cup launch or other events associated with the tournament.

"Other cities that have done that (kept part of an existing building and utilised it even better) have become pretty well known around the world, and people will want to come and see what we've done," Herft said.

"These people are serious about utilising what they've got in their city. It will be an attraction in itself to have a theatre-cum-office and residential development all in one.

"You probably find them in Europe a lot. If you've got nothing to do one night, you can check out a show down from where you're living."
KEY THEATRE CAPACITIES IN PERTH:

Burswood Theatre –
2311
His Majesty's Theatre - 1200
Regal Theatre – 1074

KEY PERTH ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE DATES:

December 2, 1974 to December 7, 1974:
Russian Olympic Gymnastic Team performance.

December 26, 1974 to January 25, 1975:
The official opening of Perth Entertainment Centre with Disney on Parade production.

1977:
Bomb scare during an ABBA concert, over 8000 people in attendance.

1988-89:
Kerry Stokes purchases the Perth Entertainment Centre from the State Government for about $14 million through his private company Australian Capital Equity.

April 6, 1990:
First NBL game, Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks

January 7, 1999:
Australian Capital Equity sells the Perth Entertainment Centre to Seven Network (Epping, NSW) for $18,595,100.

August, 2002:
Perth Entertainment Centre closes.

February 18, 2004:
Then-Heritage Minister Tom Stephens declines to enter the Perh Entertainment Centre on the Register of Heritage Places.

tha romantism with this place is a bit sickening...

warren herft your native indian name will be clutching straws...

I dont particularly want to see Public Money spent on buying back the ent. cent. site to save it, and Stokes certainly shouldnt have an obligation to keep it.

Its just an ugly building. I have no emotional attachement to it like some people, so I sort of just see it for what it is.

I did like how they said 'There have been suggestions that its owner- Channel 7-.....'. I think they are more than suggestions..

I have grown to have a little soft spot for the entertainment centre though. I took a walk around it a couple months ago and peaked into some of the doors etc... It's got that time warp feeling about it, like the 80's style enterer, brown-ish glass and frames, glass bricks, I think there were even some glass cups on the tables still. It’s from a time when Perth seemed to be more ambitious with its largest theatre in the world, largest casino in Australia etc etc. Oh and was there a nightclub inside as well? I think I saw a sign that said “nightclub – upstairs” That would have been cool. It’s a really good example of infrastructure from its time period anyway.

Thanks for posting that wexford.

This is a massive piece of Perths modern history so it will be sad to lose it.

I do concede however we can't keep it in its current form - renovated or not.

Nup. Even if it was renovated, the PEC was a total waste of space.

The link needs a balance of difference land uses - Perth Arena fulfills the entertainment category IMO. Better to have more Offices, Residential, Public Space and Retail on this derelict site.

tha burswood dome is a bigger loss...

kill the fuker. omg DOWN WITH THE PEC!

A new theatre would be great for the Link :yes:

Where are big musicals held now in Perth? I only really remember them being held at the Burswood theatre and Her Majesty's. Have shows like Wicked/Jersey Boys/Billy Elliot been coming to Perth?

Big shows are real money spinners for cities.

We have his maj, and I'm pretty sure we are building a state theater aswell? :/

And if we have realy big ones, theres always Perth Arena
Just rip the ugly thing down :D

I'd be open to the idea of a partial ent centre depending on how well it can be worked into the plans. The building in its current format is not compatable with the plan whatsoever.

We have his maj, and I'm pretty sure we are building a state theater aswell? :/

And if we have realy big ones, theres always Perth Arena
Just rip the ugly thing down :D

Plus His Maj will have a bit more space now, considering WA Ballet is moving to new digs in Maylands

^Is that really going ahead? To the old Senses building? I was wondering what was going to become of that building.

Yeah, there was something in the paper about it today. I'll scan it in a second.

^Is that really going ahead? To the old Senses building? I was wondering what was going to become of that building.

you're going to have little open theatre spaces everywhere...

tha waterfront calls for one on tha island, a fixed "music bowl" near tha supreme court, then tha forecourt of tha redeveloped concert hall has an open court for public shows, you'll have tha stage on forrest chase, you have open space at tha cultural centre, i think there was an amphitheatre in tha herrison island plan...

then you have closed venues - maj, perth arena, state theatre, convention centre... : |

how many "stages" does one need?

perth doesn't even have that great of a theatrical culture... :p

pec knock down.

:D

I wonder if Ch7 will incorporate a Theatre of some sort into the plans of their tv studio - assuming they move into the city?

lol.

I wonder if Ch7 will incorporate a Theatre of some sort into the plans of their tv studio - assuming they move into the city?

I think someone mentioned a bit of a while ago that it all hinges on the Dianella site getting rezoned

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9082/ballet.png

Why would Channel 7 need a theatre? Is Fat Cat: The Opera in the works?

Why would Channel 7 need a theatre? Is Fat Cat: The Opera in the works?

A studio is basically a theatre, minus the elevated stage. That said, space is at a premium there, so I doubt they'd have anything there grander than the transmission equipment, and a small studio for the news.

I wonder if opera WA will get the space vacated by Bsllet. Surely there would be space for these groups in NB Link or Foreshore, or even Riverside. I recall the concert hall/performing arts precint incorporated provisions for either Opera WA or WASO, or both.

I think someone mentioned a bit of a while ago that it all hinges on the Dianella site getting rezoned

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9082/ballet.png

those guys on the right look hot

I think someone mentioned a bit of a while ago that it all hinges on the Dianella site getting rezoned

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/9082/ballet.png

Thanks for that Vic, that is really interesting. I love that building. I had thought that finbar might turn it into apartments.

Thanks for that Vic, that is really interesting. I love that building. I had thought that finbar might turn it into apartments.

No problem. Heritage listed I believe, so there would have only so much that they could have done with it. There are plenty of other places in Maylands that they could knock down and build apartments on.

It's an awesome building, I'm happy it's being put to good use. I'm too lazy to post a screenshot, but have a gander at Nearmaps, it looks like they're doing a hell of a lot of work on the place.

Yes, it couldn't be put to better use, a public building now as well, so it will be easier to stickybeak. I might try and get some photos. There seems to be no signs of the fire damage left.

I will get out of this thread now though.

You all should agree with this guy.

http://i40.tinypic.com/28c225y.jpg

looks like cathy's been trawling ssc...

what a wishy-washy article, "concerns about urban sprawl lovin fvckrz better suited to inner-city living"... whatev's! i can guarantee cathy saunders, tha bitches that want to buy a property at all costs, even if they're 2 billion light years from tha city, ain't gonna wanna live in tha cbd...

is cathy hawt like beatrice?

id like the inside scoop on beatrice maself

i really find it hard to accept that people get so caught up with tha target 3000 initial housing provision...

it's a work in progress, in 10 years time, someone might say, "okay fine build a freakin 40 storey resi!"

i really find it hard to accept that people get so caught up with tha target 3000 initial housing provision...

it's a work in progress, in 10 years time, someone might say, okay find build a freakin 40 storey resi!

the issue is that 40 storey resi will be an expensive one.

surely some of these smaller lots, if made residential and given bonuses for cheap apartments etc, will be better than another office building?

the issue is how does the council enforce the whole affordable housing thing?

i know when finbar bought the site on plain st where the chinese restaurant is they spoke heaps about making it affordable apartments etc and i believe they used that in their DA as well.

when prices were released recently there was no discernable difference between them and their normal prices.

is cathy hawt like beatrice?

id like the inside scoop on beatrice maself

Get on it Sanj.

the issue is that 40 storey resi will be an expensive one.

surely some of these smaller lots, if made residential and given bonuses for cheap apartments etc, will be better than another office building?

the issue is how does the council enforce the whole affordable housing thing?

i know when finbar bought the site on plain st where the chinese restaurant is they spoke heaps about making it affordable apartments etc and i believe they used that in their DA as well.

when prices were released recently there was no discernable difference between them and their normal prices.

i understand this, but i think it's essential for tha link to be primarily business, tha cbd itself is really concentrated and a northern aspect in tha long run i think is essential as office developments... prolly 70/30 mix... tha smaller lots adjacent to roe street and south of wellington street leave themselves open for smaller resi developments...

and you're right, affordable is only so much when you're buying into a relatively new type of residential lifestyle and it will take time... for a 40 story apartment building, i don't expect it to be affordable for tha average joe and not in dead smack in tha middle of tha cbd too...

i understand this, but i think it's essential for tha link to be primarily business, tha cbd itself is really concentrated and a northern aspect in tha long run i think is essential as office developments... prolly 70/30 mix... tha smaller lots adjacent to roe street and south of wellington street leave themselves open for smaller resi developments...

and you're right, affordable is only so much when you're buying into a relatively new type of residential lifestyle and it will take time... for a 40 story apartment building, i don't expect it to be affordable for tha average joe and not in dead smack in tha middle of tha cbd too...

yeah this is what i struggle with myself and how ive traditionally felt.

should/can we expect affordable brand new apartments in a location that is fucking awesome?? i suspect it is (probably justly) a pipedream

We have an oversupply of office space and of Luxury apartments. I don't think the EPRA will knock back more resi if it's more viable.

I dont think you can call the current apartment situation an over supply. The market is meeting demand. If it were an over supply prices would be lower.

I suppose you could say there is an over supply of 'luxury' apartments relative to low-medium housing apartments.

but i don't think tha majority apartment towers in tha cbd are luxury... they're just being marketed as luxury...

: |

Exactly.

one thing i have with all of the new residential towers, is that they all have their own swimming pools and tennis courts and gyms. these should not be in every single tower, and instead there should be some public facilities, to get people out of their own buildings, and to socialise, and make the streets more active, and give more public facilities within the city. and it would also lower the prices of each apartment, as there is less expenses... but ofcourse that is aimed at lower price ranges..., but i still think all of these towers should not have each of their own facilities... (i'm big on the whole community aspect)

It's because city living is a new trend. Also, the current planning regime practically encourages developers to build shit with tennis courts, lap pools and room for a pony. Just look at the Westralian Apartments site. You could have fit 4 residental towers on that site. Instead the rules are R160 with additional rules governing setbacks and height hence the resort style developments.

I was reading through the 1955 Stephenson Hepburn report today for a project I'm doing at uni, I was interested to find out that the plot ratio idea goes all the way back to then, and that 55 years later, we're still stuck with it...

It's because city living is a new trend. Also, the current planning regime practically encourages developers to build shit with tennis courts, lap pools and room for a pony. Just look at the Westralian Apartments site. You could have fit 4 residental towers on that site. Instead the rules are R160 with additional rules governing setbacks and height hence the resort style developments.

Exactly. If things don't change all we will see is a replication of the same basic product for the same relative cost over and over...and cost that is either prohibitive to most the market, or doesn't represent a good purchase relative to something in the suburbs.

Does anyone know, if the pedestrian underpass from perth underground to the main station will actually be built? I remember a post that it won't come (too expensive) and also on the plans it is marked optional.

central section of works around Perth Station and WSBS (http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B95Fvg19qHEzNmY0MzJmMWUtOGJhOS00MjUxLThlM2QtYzJhOTZhMGNmMTJl&hl=en)

Here is an overview of the whole section (http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B95Fvg19qHEzMjNjNjI2NjgtNmYzMC00NWQxLWJkYTAtM2ZiNGJiNTMyOTQ0&hl=en) of railway to be redeveloped as part of The Link

great link... post more... :p

Those are the most interesting bits I found (tender document for geotechnical/environmental monitoring)

apparently something will be on the news tonight about this project... i have no idea, just that there is going to be a press release...

:popcorn:

apparently something will be on the news tonight about this project... i have no idea, just that there is going to be a press release...

7, 9, 10 or ABC ? SBS possibly?
You have to try get it on the internet for us docker :)

i'm at uni... which is why i am telling you guys, so one of you can record it for me... and my last class doesn't finish until 7pm. and a thought would be any and all channels

dammit, wish I was able too :(
I'd record it on my phone, but iphones dont even have video recorders!

Correction. Your old iPhone doesn't have a video recorder :P

Correction. Your old iPhone doesn't have a video recorder :P

I was going to get a new one! but now that they are going to release another one I'm just gonna hold off :)

You could hold off forever going with that philosophy.

You could hold off forever going with that philosophy.

That is true, but I do badly need a new one.
The screen is smashed (N)
haha
still works though

I could have held off a couple of months ago when my Nokia N95 shit itself for the third time, but glad I upgraded, even if it was only the 2G version (16gb). Makes every other phone I've owned look like two cups connected by a string.

That is true, but I do badly need a new one.
The screen is smashed (N)
haha
still works though

insurance?

insurance?

Can you claim insurance on trying to ballance your phone on your head?

Yeah I could do with new phone right about now. The things I put my phone through when drunk, really. Anyway, new iphone late June, early July. Will buy then.

We might even be able to buy it from the apple shop :O

delete: beaten to it by Alvse, plus realised this isn't the spam thread!

Can you claim insurance on accidental damage


yes, i do believe you can. you need to check the policy though.

Can you claim insurance on trying to ballance your phone on your head?

i thought you dont drink? why else would anyone do something as stupid as to balance a $1000 fragile phone on their freshly greased and shiny head?

i thought you dont drink? why else would anyone do something as stupid as to balance a $1000 fragile phone on their freshly greased and shiny head?

I was bored? haha

watch your spam.

Docker, are u sure the news report is about this and not the arena?

^^ as i said in that thread, it was about the arena, soz

^^ as i said in that thread, it was about the arena, soz

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video/perth/-/watch/19233652

Is it this one?
It's about the arena which will take a century to pay for itself...

Wait for the advert to finish, then watch it...
:cheers:

http://i43.tinypic.com/2196tro.jpg

... And they say we have a two street cbd! Plus think of that shot once the link is finished!

Great find, goran.

:lol: Goran just took a screen shot from towards the end of the video I posted in my above post.. ;)

All good, I wish that video was viewable in the same way you can just click play when pasting a Youtube link....

btw that end of the cbd is looking so flat (less Telstra Exchange & Element 969, not much in terms of taller bldgs. There needs to be taller bldgs surrounding the Arena and then you'd have good density there.... :)

:lol: Goran just took a screen shot from towards the end of the video I posted in my above post.. ;)

All good, I wish that video was viewable in the same way you can just click play when pasting a Youtube link....

btw that end of the cbd is looking so flat (less Telstra Exchange & Element 969, not much in terms of taller bldgs. There needs to be taller bldgs surrounding the Arena and then you'd have good density there.... :)

I hope they put some taller than the 25 level ones spoken of in the link. This is going to look great once finished but even better with a few talls put in.

I hope they put some taller than the 25 level ones spoken of in the link. This is going to look great once finished but even better with a few talls put in.

The Max is 30storeys I think, though they could still put a land mark tower :D

btw that end of the cbd is looking so flat (less Telstra Exchange & Element 969, not much in terms of taller bldgs. There needs to be taller bldgs surrounding the Arena and then you'd have good density there.... :)

:lol: first time I quoted myself for ages, but I just remembered....

What's happening to the Melbourne Hotel?

That would have been good for some density going towards the Arena.

I am sure there will be a lot of developments taking place a few years after the Railway Line is and bus station etc are all eventually fully sunk under ground and the Arena is open for events...
All the land within or so 1km of the link would become attractive places again to do business, live etc...

^^ I think it has all been quiet on that front for a while.

I had lunch at the Melbourne Hotel a few days ago. I would much rather see a tower development on the site directly north of this and have the Melbourne Hotel retained. SO much potential to create a really great hotel. At the moment its a bit disorganised, uninspiring and the bar is very old-man-ish.

I had lunch at the Melbourne Hotel a few days ago. I would much rather see a tower development on the site directly north of this and have the Melbourne Hotel retained. SO much potential to create a really great hotel. At the moment its a bit disorganised, uninspiring and the bar is very old-man-ish.

Ive got far bigger plans. ;)

Milligan Street is is potentially awsome.

Red = 200m tower.

Green = gap building. Open space or whatever.

Yellow = demo 50's rubbish?

Both sides of the street. Could hold massive towers.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5910/milliganplace.png

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/680/milliganplace2.png

^^ lets hope we can get something along those lines, once Perth Arena is open, and people start to realise the potential of the milligan street area... i would even be happy if we got something in the 160m range

Whatever density they put in here they need to make sure the people that move are aware that it will be used for sport and entertainment and as such should be prepared for the noise and crowds that accompany such events.
Soundproofing apartments and ensuring that future residents purchase contracts have these conditions stipulated should ensure they dont kill the events off (such as with Subi Oval and Burswood dome).

Ive got far bigger plans. ;)

Milligan Street is is potentially awsome.

Red = 200m tower.

Green = gap building. Open space or whatever.

Yellow = demo 50's rubbish?

Both sides of the street. Could hold massive towers.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5910/milliganplace.png

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/680/milliganplace2.png

Nice plan, hopefully they will look at doing something similar and greater than the 30 levels mentioned..

Tenders called for Northbridge project

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201004/r557620_3347535.jpg


The Transport Minister, Simon O'Brien has released tender documents for the sinking of the rail line through Northbridge.

The State Government has formally called for expressions of interest for the sinking of the Northbridge rail line.

Tenders for the project will be accepted early next year.

The $600 million project is due to be completed by 2014.

The Transport Minister Simon O'Brien says the planning process has revealed the project will cost $100 million more than original estimates.

"There are some complex engineering and other technical obstacles to overcome in bringing this project to fruition," he said.

"I have no doubt it will be a major step forward for the City of Perth and a major step forward for public transport for Western Australia."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/04/29/2886190.htm

Two major steps then.

Righto.

I know these things always run over time and over budget. But the estimated completion of 2014 excites me. It's really not that far away.

The bits closer to Wellington Street, buildings that is, should start whilst the railway is being sunk shouldnt it?

Does that make sense?

Yeah. Towards the western end of the area anyway. Ent Centre site and the ones that are seeking EOI's now..

Yeah. Towards the western end of the area anyway. Ent Centre site and the ones that are seeking EOI's now..

I wonder whats happening with them.

I know these things always run over time and over budget. But the estimated completion of 2014 excites me. It's really not that far away.

I think the 2014 date is for the entire project not the sinking of the rail line + bus station. which is even more exciting!!! :)

I think the 2014 date is for the entire project not the sinking of the rail line + bus station. which is even more exciting!!! :)

Channel 10 just said NBL project will start next year and fully complete by 2016, but if the Horseshoe Bridge is anything to go by then who knows.

I wasnt expecting anything to be on the news, so I was shocked when they started talking about it.

They did say that the sinking has gone up 100million dollars but some fella from the fed goverment was talking aswell.

Just watch channel 7 :)

^^ Channel 2010?

And watch channel 7... :lol: I getcha.

Hope the Entainment Centre gets accidentally sunk too :lol:

^^ Channel 2010?

And watch channel 7... :lol: I getcha.

Hope the Entainment Centre gets accidentally sunk too :lol:

I meant channel 10.

I meant watch channel 7 to see if anything is on that.

And The Entertainment Centre is getting pulled down anyway.

Cool, i just thought the Entertainment Centre was heritage listed and or it was to be retained partially and a tower were to be built into part of it...

:lol: I don't always read up on new changes, i had a feeling the PEC were to be scrapped despite a heritage listing, but as I also am aware that Ch 7 owns it, I was thinking wtf does Ch 7 need an old crappy building for?....

:banana: PEC is coming down :)

Cool, i just thought the Entertainment Centre was heritage listed and or it was to be retained partially and a tower were to be built into part of it...

:lol: I don't always read up on new changes, i had a feeling the PEC were to be scrapped despite a heritage listing, but as I also am aware that Ch 7 owns it, I was thinking wtf does Ch 7 need an old crappy building for?....

:banana: PEC is coming down :)

The Entertainment Centre isnt heritage listed...
and Channel 7 doesnt own it, Kerry Stokes owns it and he owns Channel 7, well they kinda do I guess.

There may be a new Channel 7 studios where the Entertainment Centre is now though.

Oh ok, yes... read this article:

'The EntCent can rise again'
JOSEPH SAPIENZA
March 15, 2010
from: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/the-entcent-can-rise-again-20100312-q3jf.html

From the bottom of this ^^ page it has some key dates:

KEY PERTH ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE DATES:

December 2, 1974 to December 7, 1974:
Russian Olympic Gymnastic Team performance.

December 26, 1974 to January 25, 1975:
The official opening of Perth Entertainment Centre with Disney on Parade production.

1977:
Bomb scare during an ABBA concert, over 8000 people in attendance.

1988-89:
Kerry Stokes purchases the Perth Entertainment Centre from the State Government for about $14 million through his private company Australian Capital Equity.

April 6, 1990:
First NBL game, Perth Wildcats v Illawarra Hawks

January 7, 1999:
Australian Capital Equity sells the Perth Entertainment Centre to Seven Network (Epping, NSW) for $18,595,100.

August, 2002:
Perth Entertainment Centre closes.

February 18, 2004:
Then-Heritage Minister Tom Stephens declines to enter the Perh Entertainment Centre on the Register of Heritage Places.


So from understanding that there were a few special events there ^^ it was only recommended for heritage listing but never put on the list. Y

and, well actually Ch7 Epping NSW owns it according to this ^^ but Kerry Stokes of Ch 7 owned it previously in 1988-89?

:lol: oh well either way, Ch 7 owns it... Just why the NSW Ch7 owning it, and not WA Ch 7 ... :lol:

Thank god it never got heritage listed. Long history it may have, heritage it does not.

^^ ch7 is the same thing fool. every company is based/registered somewhere .. ch7 happens to be in nsw.

^^ ch7 is the same thing fool. every company is based/registered somewhere .. ch7 happens to be in nsw.

:lol: yes i know ch 7 is ch 7 regardless.... but i didn't think the Head Office happened to be based in NSW. I just thought they were owned and operated by state by state basis...

but since Ch7 is Ch 7 regardless of where it is based, I see what you mean.. :doh: I am a fool.... :nuts:

no ch7 isnt a franchise.

Tenders called for Northbridge project

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201004/r557620_3347535.jpg
Strange picture they have included there. As far as I know all that existing concourse area to the west of the HSB gets bowled as part of the railway/bus station sinking. It even still shows the shelter and escalators on the old Platform 1....its effectively a concourse to nowhere as its shown in the pic.

Bigger version:
http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201004/r557620_3347540.jpg

Does that not have more to do with the Bridge upgrade and street works than the NBL?

That is a weird image. Maybe it's a 'halfway through construction could look like this' sketch?

Or just some random .jpg the work experience kid found.

don't get bogged down in concept drawings done by public servants. The public square component will be a separate tender.

3 years to sink the rail and bus station and upgrade perth central isn't too bad. Digging will take at least a year.

umm, that never said anything about sinking the bus station as part of this tender...

It's all part and parcel of the same project. The $600m figure includes $300m for the rail line and perth station and $300m for the underground bus station and associated infrastructure.

ok cool, just thought i would check, since it wasn't mentioned in the article...

Echobase linked to something from this inquiry in another thread.
The Public Transport Authority and East Perth Re-development Authority gave evidence to the inquiry. Covers planning issues for The link, and undergrounding of the bus station :

Inquiry into Project Planning and Funding Applications for Major Western Australian Infrastructure Projects
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(WebInquiries)/890A39B627A0BFD5C825767A0028A0D6?opendocument

Wow. I never thought to delve into that side of things before. Very interesting stuff in that document. A lot of our questions have been answered.

Just briefly, the footings will be able to handle building no more than 30st.

I think the 2014 date is for the entire project not the sinking of the rail line + bus station. which is even more exciting!!! :)
From parliamentary inquiry transcript:
We think the time lines that have already been announced—pretty much the rail delivered by the end of 2014, and the total project, including the Wellington Street bus station undergrounded by the end of 2016—are very achievable, and we have been working to that. We would like to think you will see, not just forward works construction on the site, but major contract construction happening early next year.

The Ent Cent is dead, not even the backstage areas will be saved:
The northern portion needs to come down. The Entertainment Centre is a substantial building both above ground and beneath ground. The northern portion needs to come down to provide for the rail and bus access way. The rest of the building is now of an age that it is not actually appropriate for public use. It sits in areas that are complex in terms of groundwater. Channel 7 has indicated the intent to remove it. Timing is the outstanding issue about when that will come down. The need to provide the corridors for the bus and rail are obviously fundamental for the project, and we are working with Channel 7 on that at the moment.

Just to check, are you reading from the documents in the second link under 'related transcripts of evidence' from the link above?

Yes (http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/pgFrameset?openpage&fcontent=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(Evidence+Lookup+by+Com+ID)/BB8B722C4E849323482576F800160ADE?opendocument). Not sure why I said last year.

Thanks TRS. Just checking.

Can anyone explain the difference between a Dynamic Stand arrangement and a traditional stand arrangement RE the underground bus station. It must be quite different if it manages to more than double the hourly capacity, with just one extra bay..

Edit: Just re-read. Basically it just means that a bus will always be within on of four sections of the station, but it will take whichever standing bay within that section is free, and screens will direct people to the correct bay. Correct?

Another thing I found interesting was the discussion of connections between the existing Perth Underground and Perth Central stations, and how these connections may be improved upon in future.

Does anyone have any more info on these? They said that they are involved in a masterplan before the government at the time..

The Ent Cent is dead, not even the backstage areas will be saved:

It also mentioned that the DA for the ent. cent. site has been lodged with the EPRA by Channel 7 (well, it was being lodged in the weeks after the hearing). So their plans must be well progressed. It would be great to see something..

Thanks TRS. Just checking.

Can anyone explain the difference between a Dynamic Stand arrangement and a traditional stand arrangement RE the underground bus station. It must be quite different if it manages to more than double the hourly capacity, with just one extra bay..

Edit: Just re-read. Basically it just means that a bus will always be within on of four sections of the station, but it will take whichever standing bay within that section is free, and screens will direct people to the correct bay. Correct?
Yes. At the existing station specific routes depart from specific stands and only those stands. Whereas with dynamic stands a route can depart from a number of stands at any time and the information will be updated on info screens.

$100m cost blowout for Northbridge Link
Infrastructure: 29-April-10 by Dan Wilkie

The cost for sinking the railway line for the Northbridge Link has blown out by $100 million, months before a contractor is nominated to begin the project.

Western Australian transport minister Simon O'Brien toured the site today with federal transport minister Anthony Albanese and federal member for Perth Stephen Smith to launch the tender process for sinking the railway line.

Mr O'Brien said a contract could be let to a preferred contractor as early as February, with work physically commencing in the first quarter of 2011.

"That's not far away and there is a lot of work to be done," Mr O'Brien said.

"There are some complex engineering and other technical obstacles to overcome in bringing this project to fruition, but I have no doubt it will be a major step forward for the city of Perth and a major step forward for public transport in Western Australia."

Mr O'Brien said the planning process had firmed up the prices for the project, and the initial $500 million total project cost was merely a preliminary quote.

"We've now got final figures coming in for this project in 2010 dollars at just over $600 million in total, we've also made some important decisions that the projects, both the rail project and the bus station project, will have minimal overlap," Mr O'Brien said.

"They'll be conducted simultaneously, so that it's done in a reportable and more managed way."

According to the state transport minister, neither the federal government nor the City of Perth would be expected to kick in any extra funds to finance the additional $100 million.

"Whether or not there is any review of the federal commitment is a matter for the federal government," Mr O'Brien said.

"I would just say that I am very, very pleased, as is the Premier and the rest of government that the federal government has committed $236 million to this project.

"The City of Perth is not going to be charged with the principle capital costs of the major works we are discussing today, the request for proposal is the rail project to sink the railway and relocate the station."

Mr Albanese congratulated the WA government for ensuring the planning was now in place to advance the project.

"I have no doubt that in future years, when we come back and turn the first sod on the development, and when we complete the project, generations will say 'why didn't they do that before?'" Mr Albanese said.

"This is a visionary project for Perth, it is a great example once again of the Rudd government working in cooperation with the Barnett government to do things in the interest of Western Australians."

http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story/1/80141/-100m-cost-blowout-for-Northbridge-Link

I was just about to post that :(

All I could see there was BLOWOUT!! I stopped reading further in disgust knowing that my hard earned money is being wasted! Shame on you someone! My great aunt died in hospital at the age of 98. We need more beds.

in most other countries, the link would be near completion (or completed) by now... it's really NATO here :lol: No Action, Talk Only :ohno:

I can't understand how it is to take 8 months for the Horseshoe Bridge to be laid with bitumen. I heard last night that the delays are due to the inability to find matching stone with the bridge; why was this not considered before it was closed!

How long have you been living in WA?

All I could see there was BLOWOUT!! I stopped reading further in disgust knowing that my hard earned money is being wasted! Shame on you someone! My great aunt died in hospital at the age of 98. We need more beds.

and we need teachers on a 5 students to 1 teacher ratio.



THINK of the KIDS FFS.

actually i do think when need more teachers fro the number of kids we have... but we also need to change the whole education system too, so that parents have to be more involved... they also have to be more involved in their childs everyday lives...

Of course more teachers would be nice, much like how I wouldn't mind a police escort every time I venture to the gallaria to get the bread and milk or a hot busty nurse to look after me when I get the cold.



I'm just glad that the government is finally cracking the whips on important infrastructure like this.

Yes (http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/pgFrameset?openpage&fcontent=http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/(Evidence+Lookup+by+Com+ID)/BB8B722C4E849323482576F800160ADE?opendocument). Not sure why I said last year.

Thanks for the Link. Interesting stuff. So it sounds like the Freo-Midland-Armadale lines will all be able to be linked up with each other i.e. there would be the following lines:
Freo-Perth-Armadale
Freo-Perth-Midland
Midland-Perth-Armadale

I can't understand how it is to take 8 months for the Horseshoe Bridge to be laid with bitumen. I heard last night that the delays are due to the inability to find matching stone with the bridge; why was this not considered before it was closed!

given they're taking time out to rip out tha bitumen and top layer of tha bridge... wouldn't you think this is a great opportunity to check and provide greater stability and sustainability for tha bridge so it doesn't need to be closed off again for some time?

this could be a plausible reason as to why it's going to take 8 months...

it's like that idiot journalist that thought to write about tha inconvenience of "congested" roads primarily wellington st with tha impending nblink development... how dare people suffer a short term inconvenience for tha better good in tha long run... and on tha off chance that "journalist" might come across this and read it... all i'm saying is that you're a fvckn idiot, okay.

given they're taking time out to rip out tha bitumen and top layer of tha bridge... wouldn't you think this is a great opportunity to check and provide greater stability and sustainability for tha bridge so it doesn't need to be closed off again for some time?


When it's basically the only street connecting the northern suburbs with the CBD, then no I don't think this is a great opportunity at all.


this could be a plausible reason as to why it's going to take 8 months...


Or as the Minister said, it could be because they've failed to source the correct materials.

Thanks for the Link. Interesting stuff. So it sounds like the Freo-Midland-Armadale lines will all be able to be linked up with each other i.e. there would be the following lines:
Freo-Perth-Armadale
Freo-Perth-Midland
Midland-Perth-Armadale

The second link in this post has a map of the final layout:
Does anyone know, if the pedestrian underpass from perth underground to the main station will actually be built? I remember a post that it won't come (too expensive) and also on the plans it is marked optional.

central section of works around Perth Station and WSBS (http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B95Fvg19qHEzNmY0MzJmMWUtOGJhOS00MjUxLThlM2QtYzJhOTZhMGNmMTJl&hl=en)

Here is an overview of the whole section (http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B95Fvg19qHEzMjNjNjI2NjgtNmYzMC00NWQxLWJkYTAtM2ZiNGJiNTMyOTQ0&hl=en) of railway to be redeveloped as part of The Link

Thanks - so the buses go into/out of the Milligan Street extension next to the Perth Arena east parking entrance to access the bus port from Wellington Street. That plan shows that the suggested Northbridge train station might not have a decent spot to go. You either would have to put it next to the underground bus station (which would pretty much make it part of the old Perth train station) or further along (and above ground) behind Perth Arena.

And above ground is where the crossover between the Fremantle and Joondalup lines is, so you can't have it there either.

The ramp up/down is behind the PEC, so that would be difficult.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/northbridge-link-is-risky-business-20100430-tz6s.html

Northbridge Link is risky business
CHRIS THOMSON
May 3, 2010 - 8:29AM

Damage to the heritage listed Horseshoe and Barrack Street bridges and original Perth Train Station building is among the unresolved risks identified by the Public Transport Authority for the $600 Northbridge Link project.

A document provided to aspiring members of the public-private alliance that will oversee the sinking of the CBD section of the Perth to Fremantle train line identifies nine major project risks that will require special attention.

To date, representatives of more than 30 companies have requested application forms to become members of the alliance. Brookfield Multiplex, Leighton, Minter Ellison, Sinclair Knight Merz and Doric Engineering are among the interested companies.

Another unresolved risk identified in the preliminary analysis is disruption to pedestrians due to the closing of Horseshoe Bridge and the western concourse above the train station.

PTA spokesman David Hynes said such uncertainty was normal at the outset of any major infrastructure project.

"Risk management is a dynamic process that runs throughout the life of the project," he said.

"Risks are identified and treated as they arise.

"At this stage of any major construction process, that is prior to entering a contract and, obviously, before construction has started, some – even many – factors are identified as potential risks to be addressed later as part of the project development and construction process."

On a scale of one (lowest risk) to 25 (highest risk), damage to the heritage-listed bridges and station building scored 12. Disruption to pedestrian flow scored 16.

Other unresolved risks include disrupted access to the City Place child care centre (nine), design of the Barrack Street Bridge piers being unacceptable (12), and the dewatering strategy for the site unable to meet actual flow (12).

Complications arising from City of Perth plans to turn Barrack Street into a two-way thoroughfare scored a risk assessment of nine.

Opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers said he had a "reasonable degree of confidence in the staff at the PTA" being able to manage the risks, based on their recent delivery of the Perth to Mandurah rail line.

"I think the greatest risk to this project is political interference over and above the professional work of the PTA," Mr Travers said.

i have to say that, to me, the barrack street bridge, has lost any heritage value it had, it is a token of what it used to be... and i have no problem with it being fuller removed in any process to develop this area

http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/images/misc2/003371d.jpg

how the fuck is this bridge effected by the northbridge link??

They need to change around the platforms at the eastern end of Perth Train Station.

The bridge looks nothing like it did back in the day :/

how the fuck is this bridge effected by the northbridge link??
Some piers and the abutment are affected as it effectively gets extended on its northern side. The existing retaining wall is removed and moved north to allow the new track for Platform 10 through.

meh hardly gonna effect anything

if horseshoe can close for 3 quarters of the year anything can.

about 8 pages of picture of PEC if anyone is interested at looking at them
theres pictures of the inside through doors and windows and all around the building.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wyrmworld/

Thanks jarkti! - What was the 'Centre Circle Club'?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/4574091075_1e2f66a339.jpg

this is actually happening... YAY!!


http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/northbridge-link-heightens-fears-of-rail-catastrophe-pta-20100504-u60d.html

Northbridge Link heightens fears of rail catastrophe: PTA
CHRIS THOMSON
May 5, 2010 - 8:05AM

Public Transport Authority executives fear the Northbridge Link development could increase the risk of a catastrophic train derailment, reports released to aspiring members of the alliance that will oversee the $600 million project have revealed.

The reports, released yesterday to representatives of more than 45 interested companies, also indicate the PTA will need to brace for union militancy, adverse publicity and political fallout over the massive railway-sinking project.

One report, by the Insurance Commission of WA, revealed that ahead of a workshop on October 2 last year, PTA executives believed the risk of a train derailing and crashing into the ageing Barrack Street Bridge would be increased.

The Commission report said this assumption led engineers to focus on providing crash barriers for the bridge's three piers. However, the workshop found the PTA needed to focus instead on the design and management of tracks and crossovers.

The study found that an unlikely train crash into a bridge pier would probably result in multiple deaths, more than $10 million damage and major political ramifications.

A preliminary risk analysis produced at the workshop considered a derailment could disrupt train and road services and attract "adverse publicity" and "political fallout".

The workshop was attended by PTA executive director Peter Martinovich, technical director Bob Davies, rail manager Jock Henderson, operations manager Max Collins and engineers Robert Lowe and Bill Larke.

While the report deemed current safeguards against derailments adequate, the PTA had been sufficiently concerned to commission a bridge pier report, completed in November 2009 by BG&E structural engineers.

That second report concluded that part of the bridge would collapse under its own weight if Pier 1 was hit by an unlikely derailment. The report proposed the pier be strengthened with a conrete wall between its two steel columns.

A third PTA report prepared by Doric Engineering has found that the CBD location of the Link project gives it a high profile for union activity, and that industrial relations will need to be managed carefully.

On Monday, WAtoday.com.au reported that design of the bridge piers was one of nine unresolved risks associated with the Link project. PTA spokesman David Hynes said such uncertainty was normal at the outset of any major infrastructure project.

Opposition transport spokesman Ken Travers said he was confident PTA staff could manage the risks, based on their recent delivery of the Perth to Mandurah rail line. He considered the greatest risk to the project to be political interference.

By close of business yesterday, 46 companies - including Queensland Rail, Brookfield Multiplex, Leighton, Minter Ellison and Sinclair Knight Merz - had requested application forms to participate in managing the project.

The study found that an unlikely train crash into a bridge pier would probably result in multiple deaths, more than $10 million damage and major political ramifications.

fvck me dead.

this is like saying "an unlikely collapse of st george tower by 4pm, may 5th 2010, would cause death to thousands of workers. we found this to be a risk on this day 5th, may 2010."

This is just stupid. If the engineers in question have performed the jobs right, then this shouldn't happen. It's like fearing another cruise ship would sink like the Titanic did.. if the proper safety measures are in place, and if the bridge is reinforced appropriately, then rightfully there shouldn't even have any problems.

And no shit that a derailment would cause death, significant cost and political fallout. As if we didn't know what already. Even 10 year old kids know people die if a train derails.

Sensationalisation at its best.

yeah - I do Engineering Risk Assessments all the time. If the media got hold of them and looked at the initial section then they would always come up with stupid stuff like this (explosions on mine sites / severe injury etc). But that's the whole point - identify the risks and put controls in place to negate / minimise them. If whoever wrote that article looked at the final section of the risk assessment you can be sure that there is minimal risk of derailment / bridge collapes etc if the required works are done correctly.

here u go train nerds.. =P

Milestone reached for Perth City Link project
by Rail Express — last modified May 04, 2010 07:27 PM

The Perth City Link project, that is set to develop the heart of Perth by sinking the railway line and Wellington Street Bus Station, has moved into gear with the release of a request for proposal document for preferred contractors.
Milestone reached for Perth City Link project

Transport minister Simon O’Brien said the project would "completely transform" the way that many people use and interact with public amenities and public spaces in the centre of Perth.
“The sinking of the railway line will ultimately reunite the retail district of Perth’s CBD with the Northbridge entertainment precinct, opening up expanses of public and commercial space,” O’Brien said.
The project received $236m in Federal funding 12 months ago, under the guidance of Infrastructure Australia
“The Perth City Link project is a great example of the...government’s historic decision to invest federal dollars in urban public transport infrastructure as well as our strong belief that the national government has a role to play in the development of our cities,” federal transport minister Anthony Albanese said.
The Link is an urban renewal and regeneration project that is a collaboration between EPRA, the City of Perth and the Public Transport Authority (PTA).
The 13.5 hectare project is bounded by the Mitchell Freeway, Roe Street, Wellington Street and the Horseshoe Bridge and currently houses an uninviting mix of services, car parks, rail and bus infrastructure. Framed by busy roads, the area has become a physical barrier in the centre of the city.
Sinking the Wellington Street Bus Station and the Fremantle rail line, from Perth station to Lake Street will prepare the site for redevelopment. Based on a start time of early next year, the sinking of the line is expected to be completed by 2014.
The Link will play a key role in addressing transport and infrastructure issues by removing remove the “great divide” between Northbridge and the CBD and once completed, will create a vibrant mixed-use precinct.

fvck me dead.

this is like saying "an unlikely collapse of st george tower by 4pm, may 5th 2010, would cause death to thousands of workers. we found this to be a risk on this day 5th, may 2010."
Haha yeah talk about taking an extremely minor point and making it into a doomsday article. This is merely engineering debate over the scope of pier protection required in the project. Similar questions were posed around the piers supporting the freeway overpasses where large protection structures will also be built.

there is a greater risk that the PTA executives would be killed by crossing the road and being hit by one of their own buses...now wouldn't that be ironic.

Thanks jarkti! - What was the 'Centre Circle Club'?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/4574091075_1e2f66a339.jpg

Sounds and Looks (judging by the circle in their sign in the pic) like it's some sort of Pagan or Witch crafty club (please don't think these 2 are the same, I know a Pagan and she's certainly no witch...) :lol:
Perhaps it's just some sort of spiritual club...


BTW, good to hear the sinking of the rail and bus infrastructure starts early next year.... :)

EDIT:
Just looked at those pics in Jarkti's post, :lol: funny thing about the Centre Circle club is they've seem to have chosen their home in the Perth Entertainment Centre... I wonder if they worship the PEC because it's a circular bldg and they are trying to get the good vibes out of it, past spirits maybe? :lol: Where they will move next when the PEC goes?

There's been a lot of interest in the two hotel sites and ch7 have submitted plans and are in talks with EPRA.

There's been a lot of interest in the two hotel sites and ch7 have submitted plans and are in talks with EPRA.

Are both hoped to be hotel sites? I thought that was just the southern of the two sites.

here are some of the renders from the tender documents. lots more plans but these are the interesting bits :)
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8530/busentry.png
proposed entry structure to WSBS

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5527/entrystructuresoverview.jpg
an overview of the 3 entry structures + skylights at surface level

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4123/entrystructures.jpg
one of the entry structures

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1926/internallounge.png
render of the internal lounge area

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6796/2014.png
completion rail lowering mid 2014 before demolition of bus station

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6062/2016.png
town square connection complete with bus station and adjacent EPRA development approx. mid 2016

edit: links fixed :)

Tender documents for sinking the railway line (https://www.tenders.wa.gov.au/watenders/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=14645&action=display-tender-details&returnUrl=%2Ftender%2Fsearch%2Ftender-search.do%3Faction%3Dadvanced-tender-search-open-tender)

technical.

:p

Thank U for adding those pics ekul444

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5527/entrystructuresoverview.jpg

:lol: ^^ This looks like another it's going to be a smaller scale of another Langley Park. Only different it has is the centre bit :lol: :bash:
If they do that, the buildings around the park should be tall and over look it with mixed integration (like in NYC with less scaled bldgs) otherwise that area will just look dead boring.

^^ You do realise that the area around the bus port skylights is shown as earthworks only - i.e. before it is built on?

?? So the green looking grass is only "earth works"
and the skylights in the centre will be only there temporarily and then the centre strip will be built up with some shops or cafes etc?

Or are you saying that this area will be all developed progressively later and that the grass etc is just part of the first stage after the line is sunk? or something like that....

Is there a document to look at that tells more about this area?

IIRC earlier this year Barnett said part of the Link was going to be a huge area for public open space... Is this not it?

Go to:

http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Documents/The-Link/The-Link-masterplan-map-final
http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Projects/Perth-City-Link/

I know they're only renders and don't mean much at this stage, but the idea of a town square that large is just horrible.

im hoping everyone commenting here knows that all of the shaded brown area is land to be developed? it's only not shown on the image to indicate how the bus station fits in.

PC, the town square won't be empty like that; they're planning some cool low-rise building & green space for it - for the very reason that a space that large is horrible and stupid.

I think we need a physical display model that can be taken apart like a puzzle and put back together ... that would be the best way to show the public what is going to be happening above and below ground...

Yeah. There is a physical display, but its not on public display. I think they had it out when they announced the scheme amendment...

There will be a model that will do the rounds of the city. I believe EPRA are opening a info centre similar to the one used for the SSR.

here are some of the renders from the tender documents. lots more plans but these are the interesting bits :)
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/8530/busentry.png
proposed entry structure to WSBS

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5527/entrystructuresoverview.jpg
an overview of the 3 entry structures + skylights at surface level

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4123/entrystructures.jpg
one of the entry structures

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1926/internallounge.png
render of the internal lounge area

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/6796/2014.png
completion rail lowering mid 2014 before demolition of bus station

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6062/2016.png
town square connection complete with bus station and adjacent EPRA development approx. mid 2016

edit: links fixed :)

Those WSBS entries are hawt. Hopefully they don't change the designs like they did with the SSR. I also hope that they have a direct underground connection to the train station (though the above ground pedestrian activity would be good as well).

I'm really, really hoping they don't go overboard on the red bricks too.

I know this is mostly west of Barrack Street but are there any plans to underground the line east of Barrack towards Claisebrook?

isnt this how the busport looks like today??

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1926/internallounge.png

oh and yuk!

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4123/entrystructures.jpg

more imagination on the entrances please!

i don't think it's tha final design on tha entrance portals or station interiors goran...

If they're attempting to sell the space as an expansive dead void - then well done!

Truly shocking set of renders.

Well considering the new WSBS entrance are going to be buried within buildings, it wouldn't be much point to show the buildings and hide the thing. Then again, those renders shouldn't have seen the light of day if that's how they want to portray the NBL.

Well what exactly are you expecting?

If they're attempting to sell the space as an expansive dead void - then well done!
Then again, those renders shouldn't have seen the light of day if that's how they want to portray the NBL.
If I understand correctly, these renders are not supposed to promote the NBL, or portray it in any particular way. They need only show the specific element for which the Authority is inviting companies to tender- in this case, the new bus station.

And it is possibly how it will look like when the bus port is installed underground and just the earthworking of the other lots before they are built upon. The clean slate, if you will.

maybe Col and the NIMBYs will see the great big plaza (vast expanse of nothingness) and put their support behind it.

these were from the tender documents for the specific development of Train/Bus stations. it is NOT a NBL master plan or anything else (hence the wide open undeveloped empty areas.) you can see in the actual NBL master plans the entire area will be developed, so i guess the entry structures will be eventually within other buildings (a la One40 William)

that said, the entry structure shows smartrider fare gates, ie the station is 'closed'. this cant be right as you would tag on each bus, not at the station no? or maybe you will.

one interesting thing i read is the need for public right of way into the 'celebration plaza' or whatever is that open space at the HSB. so basically thats why they are building a new undeground link from PUG to perth station (linking into the new pedestrian underpasses to the platforms) and opening up the area under horseshoe as a public area (so its not longer part of a ticketed area.)

edit: here is the plan of what im talking about:
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1059/pedestrianlinks.png

i think at whitford and warwick station people tag on/off at the smartrider gates at the entry to the station rather than on the bus (the bus stands are within the closed area)

isnt this how the busport looks like today??

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/1926/internallounge.png


Umm no, nothing like it.

I kinda have a love/hate relationship with the current busport. It really has this 70s/80 grit about it.

But it really is a dump and not fit for purpose. Buses lining up to drop passengers off, loading 2 or 3 buses at on stop.

i think at whitford and warwick station people tag on/off at the smartrider gates at the entry to the station rather than on the bus (the bus stands are within the closed area)

Yep. If you catch a bus you tag off the bus and go directly to the platform, only tagging off when you exit your final destination.

Umm no, nothing like it.

I kinda have a love/hate relationship with the current busport. It really has this 70s/80 grit about it.

But it really is a dump and not fit for purpose. Buses lining up to drop passengers off, loading 2 or 3 buses at on stop.

ffs on the whole fucking internet not one pic of the busport (inside) ... ffs.

you're wrong. looks totally like it

goran are you talking about the wellington street bus station or the esplanade busport? because everyone else is talking about wellington...

We have all seen previous impressions of what the NBL could look like, so from these new tender renders or wot eva, it is obvious to me they are just depicting the underground busport components, not any other NBL infrastructure, so it would seem to me that the green 'blanks' - as per old renders- are where the other buildings will be built!

yeah I agree with goran it looks very much like the esplanade. Although I'm not bothered with indicative renders.

goran are you talking about the wellington street bus station or the esplanade busport? because everyone else is talking about wellington...

the busport .. its called that! thats why i said the busport ahh ppl think!

^^ We are in the The Link thread. Maybe that should have rung a bell or two Goran.

We have 2 busports, Esplanade and Wellington. Unless the NBL has been massively extended down to the Esplanade I think it can be assumed the Wellington busport is being discussed here.

lol

It's obvious Goran was talking about the Esplanade Busport and not the Wellington St Bus Station.

The render looks VERY SIMILAR to our Esplanade Busport, and COMPLETELY DIFFERENT to the Wellington St Bus Station - so let me guess which Busport Goran was talking about. :ohno:

Not surprised ryan was confused.

um how does the render look anything like the esplanade busport?

um how does the render look anything like the esplanade busport?

The interior is set out in the same way as on the render and has the whole "B6, C5, A" and platform numbers thing going on.

:lol: :nuts: seems poor goran got the end of the stick this time.....

^^ We are in the The Link thread. Maybe that should have rung a bell or two Goran.

Urrgh, I hate to enter this disagreement but yeah i agree with PC... Goran is not to be of blame. He never mentioned Esplanade nor Wellington Street at all. Simply the bus port (obviously this is therefore the link one unless Esplanade happens to be in the Link project)
So unless I am missing something from what I am reading on this page Goran never asked which busport it was; actually Docker was the one who asked Goran which one it was ;)

i.e.
goran are you talking about the wellington street bus station or the esplanade busport? because everyone else is talking about wellington... :lol:

what this thread needs now, is either A) a photographic essay of each location :banana:
or B) a complete change of topic :cheers:

Or c. Someone to admit they were mistaken and move on....

Slow news day, apparently. Yeesh.

err there is only one "Busport" in Perth and that's at the Esplanade...

Or c. Someone to admit they were mistaken and move on....

I am sorry that i asked for goran to clarify between which he was actually discussing, as it was unclear to me, and most replies to his statement just became confusing without knowing that minor detail of, whether the topic was the esplanade busport or the wellington street bus station.

I also believe that as part of a northbidge link development, Fitzgerald Street should be connected up with Elder street, i would prefer it to connect to milligan street, but it would seem it is too late for that. and also for the joondalup line to wait to turn into the freeway medium for another 300m so thast there can be a station outside harbour town which would feature both the fremantle and joondalup lines and would replace city west...

but the idea of the connection between elder street and fitzgerald street, is just so there is another connection between north and central, and hopefully relieving some of the other streets of traffic...

Or c. Someone to admit they were mistaken and move on....

I was mistaken. Lets move on.

omg ... ppl .. the esplanade one is actually called THE BUSPORT .. I used it as a name not a common word 'bus port', we only have 1 BUSPORT in perth. the other one is called -- Bus Station.

How hard can it be?

omg ... ppl .. the esplanade one is actually called THE BUSPORT .. I used it as a name not a common word 'bus port', we only have 1 BUSPORT in perth. the other one is called -- Bus Station.

How hard can it be?

I was mistaken. Lets move on.

Chill

Thank U for adding those pics ekul444

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5527/entrystructuresoverview.jpg
.

Where is the access points for the buses going to be?

There will be a portal between where the railway and PEC is currently. Then busses can either head over the bus bridge or out onto Wellington street opposite Milligan street.

My only worry with this is that this area (outside the front of the arena) will get very crowded with people / busses when major events are on, and won't be much of a public space (between the arena and hotels planned for next to PEC site) with busses running through it all day.

They could reduce the number of buses that go between WSBS and the busport, the extra dogleg is going to make it take more time than it does now.

Buses that currently continue on to the busport will terminate at the WSBS, excluding the Wellington St routes.

I was mistaken. Lets move on.

Ditto for me - I was probably influenced with being told twice in two months by Goran that the Perth Arena roof was not the roof. So sorry Goran on this occasion.

...
I also believe that as part of a northbidge link development, Fitzgerald Street should be connected up with Elder street, i would prefer it to connect to milligan street, but it would seem it is too late for that. and also for the joondalup line to wait to turn into the freeway medium for another 300m so thast there can be a station outside harbour town which would feature both the fremantle and joondalup lines and would replace city west...

but the idea of the connection between elder street and fitzgerald street, is just so there is another connection between north and central, and hopefully relieving some of the other streets of traffic...

I guess the problem would be that it would cut across the Market Street entry/exit to the Perth Arena carpark and the truck exit/exit to the Perth Arena and the bus bridge would now be in the way - for connection to Elder. As far as connection to Milligan goes - it would probably interfere with the eastern exit/entry to the Perth Arena carpark and with buses also trying to access Wellington too, it would make the Arena plaza pretty busy.

There will be a portal between where the railway and PEC is currently. Then busses can either head over the bus bridge or out onto Wellington street opposite Milligan street.

My only worry with this is that this area (outside the front of the arena) will get very crowded with people / busses when major events are on, and won't be much of a public space (between the arena and hotels planned for next to PEC site) with busses running through it all day.

Like the ones from Star Trek?

Portal??? :lol: not a teleport :ohno: ... that technology for human transport is not available on Earth at the moment. Try another planet; Planet X might have portals for their super express maglev busses. :lol:

I think what eugenius means is like a main impressive entrance for the busses...

Like the ones from Star Trek?

http://images.icanhascheezburger.com/completestore/2009/4/7/128836376169956730.jpg

just thought i would mention this, but i notice in the documents from a couple of pages back, that the platforms at perth station will be re-done, so that there is a 75cm drop from the eastern side to the western side of the northern four platforms... obviously to help the trains get low enough to go underground.

http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/8226/crosssectionperthstatio.jpg

has anyone read thru tha whole doc? i haven't really taken time to read tha tender document... but when i skimmed, completion to tha railway hub is 2016? when would tha underground bus/rail be operational? and assuming construction of any developments can start prior to tha rail sink is complete... when would tha earliest before we see any developments start to to up?

when you're lining up outside the botox clinic.

has anyone read thru tha whole doc? i haven't really taken time to read tha tender document... but when i skimmed, completion to tha railway hub is 2016? when would tha underground bus/rail be operational? and assuming construction of any developments can start prior to tha rail sink is complete... when would tha earliest before we see any developments start to to up?

I believe the tender to build a 25 st+ hotel next to the Perth Arena site has been sent out with construction to start next year...?

I believe the tender to build a 25 st+ hotel next to the Perth Arena site has been sent out with construction to start next year...?

Oh ok, cool.... but below is page 53 shows the buildings heights along the link...
So the hotel would be actually NOT beside the arena but to the east and build along the actual Street front ontop of a few levels of commercial....
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/IFB83/SSC/page53.jpg

Alas if any building construction is to happen this means that the old Entertainment centre shall be demolished end of this year or early next year to make it possible for the hotel to be built later next year...?

Also,

Looking at: Page 29 of http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Documents/The-Link/The-Link-Part-3---The-Place
There is a drawing which indicates taller buildings along Wellington Street:...
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p300/IFB83/SSC/Page29.jpg

Now, to me this looks like the sites west of Raine Square fall into this category, if that's the case would we see a smaller version of St George Tce along Wellington Street here ^^ however with retail and dining etc on the ground floors along this street...? :lol: :)

^^ Yeah the hotel (or whatever is built on that site if hotel isn't built) is on the other side of the Milligan Street extension that leads towards the eastern entry to the Perth Arena carpark.

just thought i would mention this, but i notice in the documents from a couple of pages back, that the platforms at perth station will be re-done, so that there is a 75cm drop from the eastern side to the western side of the northern four platforms... obviously to help the trains get low enough to go underground.
Correct. The vertical slope in the platform begins at a point around halfway from the escalators to the HS Bridge. All platforms will be dug up and resurfaced beginning with the eastern half of platform 6/7.

i still feel this project will be underwhelming... I do hope they dig up some of the 1980's design ideas and place a station at Perth arena for rapid change for Joondalup and Fremantle passengers instead of wasting 15 minutes to go to William STreet.

Even if the architecture sucks, even if the buildings aren't particularly massive, even if the stores at street level are shitty franchises, the impact on the city is still going to be absolutely massive.

so any1 gonna clarify the funding news .. some articles say 40 mil others say 386 mil funded .. what is it??

i still feel this project will be underwhelming...

Explain...

The fact people will be able to move from Perth to Northbridge with ease is a massive change to the way this city works.

i still feel this project will be underwhelming... I do hope they dig up some of the 1980's design ideas and place a station at Perth arena for rapid change for Joondalup and Fremantle passengers instead of wasting 15 minutes to go to William STreet.


I hope it has more of an impact. The density needs to be high and hopefully this will be reflected in taller buildings!
They should put a tram line in along Wellington St, going past RPH and upto East Perth and also extending into West Perth/Subi in the other direction. this will complement the train line, CAT buses and provide another incentive not to drive into this area.

not sure what his definition of underwhelming is... running into chris judd in a toilet and seeing his limp dick would be underwhelming but i'd prolly still walk out of there feeling a tiny bit flustered...

An opportunity to get an up close look at the Perth City Link project

29 June 2010
The public will have an opportunity to view the Perth City Link project up close when the scale replica model visits several locations around Perth over the coming months.

The scale replica model provides a representation of the mixed use developments to be built on the 13.5hectare site after the railway line and bus station are sunk, and outlines the landmark city square which will be surrounded by shops, cafes and accommodation.

EPRA CEO Tony Morgan said the Perth City Link model tour would allow people to view the model in a way that will help to better visualise how the area will look when the project is completed.

“The Perth City Link project is the most significant city transit oriented development project in Australia and is critical to building Perth’s capacity as our population grows,” Mr Morgan said.

“The Perth City Link project will reconnect the city centre with Northbridge for the first time in more than 100 years and will play an important part in the overall plan to revitalise Perth.

“Great cities make it easy for people to get around; they link all the elements - shops, theatres, restaurants, offices, places to study and places to relax - with good transport options and this is what the Perth City Link will do for Perth.

“The Perth City Link will improve the experience for everyone who visits the city as well as attracting billions of investment dollars into the State,” Mr Morgan said.

The Perth City Link model tour will visit the following locations:
• Governor Stirling Tower: 28 June – 12 July
• Woodside Plaza: 13 July – 26 July
• Central Park: 27 July – 9 August
• Council House: 10 August – 23 August
• State Library of WA: 24 August – 6 September
• PTA Public Transport Centre: 7 September – 20 September
“I encourage those who work in or nearby these locations, as well as other interested people to take the opportunity to view the model while it is on display,” Mr Morgan said.

On completion, the project will attract more than $3billion of private sector investment and house up to 3,060 new residents in 1,650 new homes and up to 13,500 new workers in 244,000m2 of new commercial space.

The Perth City Link will play a central role in regenerating Perth’s entertainment, cultural, shopping, employment and public transport areas.

http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/News/4836/An-opportunity-to-get-an-up-close-look-at-the-Perth-City-Link-project

piicccccccssssssssssssssss.

name change? perth city link?

Ooh, I'll have to put a reminder in my diary to look at it when it is at Woodside. I'll be visiting Perth around then.

cool. first time back since you left for canberra?

Nah head back to see friends/family roughly every 6-12 months (I've been living in Canberra for three and a half years now), although I don't always get a chance to go into the city.

It's good to see the changes that occur while I am away. The biggest one this time round will undoubtably be BHP but it will be good to wander around the city and see the other changes.

Model images from EPRA. Officially now known as Perth city link it seems.

http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Images/Image-Gallery/Perth-City-Link/RI---Perth-City-Link-model?width=430&height=340&scale_mode=s
http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Images/Image-Gallery/Perth-City-Link/RI---Perth-City-Link-model-front?width=430&height=340&scale_mode=s
http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Images/Image-Gallery/Perth-City-Link/RI---Perth-City-Link-model-arena-tunnel?width=430&height=340&scale_mode=s
http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Images/Image-Gallery/Perth-City-Link/RI---Perth-City-Link-model-arena?width=430&height=340&scale_mode=s
http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Images/Image-Gallery/Perth-City-Link/RI---Perth-City-Link-model-city-square?width=430&height=340&scale_mode=s
http://www.epra.wa.gov.au/Projects/Perth-City-Link/

From that model I dont like what is placed at the horseshoe bridge- I thought this was going to be like a great plaza/ square! It doesnt look like that at all!!!

Yeah and i dont see no Atomic Clock in that model eitther. Not Happy

i agree somewhat, but i'm leaning towards tha shape of tha model they're using there... it looks too rigid... tha landmark would have to be designed in such a way that it doesn't look like it's a barrier when your at tha square... it certainly looks more like an obstruction tha way its presented here...

Yes not a very good use of the space

it hasnt been designed yet

Yes, its good this is only a model

this is just a concept, just to show people that something will be happening. I wouldn't get caught up in the details. The plain look is actually good to keep it under the radar.

this is just a concept, just to show people that something will be happening. I wouldn't get caught up in the details. The plain look is actually good to keep it under the radar.

I was thinking the same thing, re the plainness. I wonder if the designers took anything from what happen with the Carpenter Foreshore plan. (People disliking the building designs and not understanding it was all conceptual).
Keep it plain and simple for all the conservatives to not complain about

that would be my guess. also the fact that they probably don't have much of a clue yet ;)

i might write letters to the west deriding these buildings and sign off as ben juniper and ian parmenter

reckon they'd be published? how do they check the authenticity etc?

^^:rofl:

If the last sentence is a serious question Sanj - someone on here (can't remember who) got a letter published and they rang him to confirm his details, etc. beforehand. So, they are pretty thorough about it.

yeah but how would they actuaslly confirm it? if i give my number and they call i can always say yes im ben juniper and yes i wrote that letter

probably shouldnt be writing this online shoudl i?

hopefully this will stop me from actually doing it, no matter how funny it is

might do a letter from Dilaz re good riddance to alannah, she wasted the boom etc

^^ Don't know. Maybe they do a check of address too - but that could be circumvented. So, don't know for sure. Maybe they find out phone number from another source or confirm phone number is a home one listed under the name provided?

haha sanj. Too bad you don't sound gay enough.

Bl.

another thing i noticed, i know this is just a model, but i hope they don't go with tha double tree line boulevard all tha way down tha development...

i'd hate to see every building fascade obstructed when tha trees start to mature... even if it was broken up in long sections of double tree lined stretches it would still create an intimate atmosphere at ground level...

haha sanj. Too bad you don't sound gay enough.

Bl.

"enough" :lol:

another thing i noticed, i know this is just a model, but i hope they don't go with tha double tree line boulevard all tha way down tha development...

i'd hate to see every building fascade obstructed when tha trees start to mature... even if it was broken up in long sections of double tree lined stretches it would still create an intimate atmosphere at ground level...


Crave Im so the opposite, Id love to see trees all the way down wellington and roe! The buildings themselves should reach up and make a statement. I dont want a barren concrete place- which it currently is

another thing i noticed, i know this is just a model, but i hope they don't go with tha double tree line boulevard all tha way down tha development...

i'd hate to see every building fascade obstructed when tha trees start to mature... even if it was broken up in long sections of double tree lined stretches it would still create an intimate atmosphere at ground level...

Most the buildings along Roe and Wellington (link side) will only be a handful of storeys or setback on podiums. So in the majority you probably won't be able to see a lot of the tower anyway.

I'm all for a shit load of trees. I don't really care about the buildings. It's not like any of these are going to be serious masterpieces anyway given the large residential component in most o the structures.

i wasn't too concerned with vertical views as such in my statement... i should have been a bit more clearer... by building facade, i do mean podium fascade, if you'll note on many new buildings which have podiums, a lot of architects have become very creative with what they do with treatments to this portion of tha building becos at street level it is tha most visible/noteable part especially if tha building exterior above is set-back... tha way tha model is presented, it would appear tha majority of podium facades would actually be covered by dense foliage... i am being extremely picky, i recently saw streetscaping which had double tree-lined rows of trees with very dense green canopies... tha emphasis of this particular streetscaping was to show tha trunks of trees in linear formation, it looks pretty cool at ground level but when you look up at tha dense cover... it was wall to wall of leaves and you couldn't see thru... anyway, i'm sure it won't even be as extreme as what i saw...

i'm actually all for a green boulevard, but not to a point where it becomes a dense forest... i'd like to see podiums with clever patterns/materials...

Yeah I see your piont crave, I guess I agree with aaro, Im all for the dense look in contrast to looking down a street of concrete podiums! IF, the podiums r interesting then gd, but hmn, will have to wait and see... As we always do!

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/perth-will-have-to-do-without-its-sapphire-clock-tower-20100702-zt9l.html?from=age_ft

Perth will have to do without its sapphire clock tower
CHALPAT SONTI
July 5, 2010 - 6:39AM


It was meant to be a jewel in the city's crown - but the sapphire clock tower is no more.

The Public Transport Authority has decided against going ahead with the multi-coloured 14.5m-high tower after finding little support for the seven-year project.

Initially proposed in 2003, the tower was to be built on Wellington Street, in front of the Horseshoe Bridge, and was to be one of the final pieces of the New MetroRail project.

It was to be built of multi-coloured safety glass over a steel frame and light up the surrounds at night.

The clock within the tower was to be linked by landline to the world's most accurate timepiece, the atomic clock developed by the UWA physics department.

But in a letter to the City of Perth, the PTA said that there was little support for the clock proposal, and that the $1 million set aside for it would be better spent on public artworks within the new City Square development.

City of Perth planning and development director Peter Monks said that proposal had more merit.

In a report to the council's planning committee, he said the orginal clock proposal "was not as a result of a carefully considered major public artwork analysis/commission at the time".

He recommended the council have no objection to the PTA proposal as long as the artwork was created as part of the Perth City Link project - the formerly-named Northbridge Link project which will connect the CBD with Northbridge - and that the City, PTA, and East Perth Redevelopment Authority work together to develop a proper public art plan.

However, the PTA also needs to get WA Planning Commission approval to change the agreement for public art provision as part of the New Metrorail project.

Meanwhile, EPRA has commissioned a "major public artwork" for the Claisebrook Village area.

A document obtained by WAtoday.com.au shows that it has budgeted up to $220,000 for an artwork next to Mardalup Park on the Riverbank Precinct site on Brown Street.

EPRA wants the artwork to signify the completion of the village project.

lol I didn't realise it was 2003. If they didn't manage to put it up in 7 years I say it's not a huge travesty. very pathetic though.
I still don't get how they can scrap something that has been supposedly being built for years. or was that all bshit?