Site clean-up and infrastructure relocation works
In January 2022, site clean-up and infrastructure relocation (deconstraining) works commenced at the East Perth Power Station site, a decommissioned coal fire power plant, to allow for future development to occur. These works have involved:
- relocating existing gas and electricity infrastructure.
- clean-up and removal works inside the Power Station and surrounding buildings and structures.
- site remediation works to achieve site reclassification.
Three works packages have been undertaken on the site by three agencies – DevelopmentWA, Western Power and ATCO. Western Power has completed its component, with ATCO due to complete its works in mid-2025. DevelopmentWA is currently finalising the remediation and site reclassification of Lot 601, which includes the removal of remaining switchyard infrastructure. It is anticipated that the total works program will be completed by late 2025. See below for an update on the deconstraining works and a summary of each work package.
The next phase of the project involves strategic planning, with the preparation of a Masterplan and Design Guidelines for the precinct.
Please see our Frequently Asked Questions on the right-hand panel for the latest on the project.
Perth Festival activation
The Perth Festival temporary activation will take place between 7 February - 2 March 2025, in the external areas adjacent to the Power Station building. The program will involve evening interactive installations, live performances and hospitality options, with a mixture of free and ticketed events. The inside of the heritage-listed Power Station building will not be used, as further remediation and restoration is required.
State planning approval for the temporary land use has been granted, with Perth Festival obtaining the necessary permits through the City of Vincent. Traffic, access, parking and noise management are key conditions required for a successful event and to appropriately consider nearby residents.
For the most up-to-date information on the program, please visit the Perth Festival website, or contact boxoffice@perthfestival.com.au or 6488 5555 for general enquiries and bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions for Perth Festival are also available.
Deconstraining works update
To accommodate Perth Festival activities and enable METRONET to utilise some of the precinct as a laydown area for Perth Stadium Station upgrade works, we have rescheduled the last of the deconstraining works to prepare the site for redevelopment. The switchyard removal works on Lot 601 are now due for completion at the end of 2025. This will not impact on the overall redevelopment program for the precinct.
DevelopmentWA is currently working with ATCO and the City of Vincent to plan for the removal of the temporary Pressure Reduction Station (PRS) adjacent to the Banks Reserve Car Park (see map above), which will coincide with the commissioning of the new PRS in Bayswater. This is anticipated to occur over a two-week period in mid-2025 and will involve some impacts to the surrounding area, including Summers Street. Advance notification will be provided to adjacent residents and the general public once the details are confirmed.
Summary of each work package
To prepare the site for future development, DevelopmentWA undertook clean-up and removal works within the Power Station building and its surrounding infrastructure, including the office, pump house and coal handling structures.
This work involved some asbestos removal from inside the Power Station building.
In August 2023, Western Power completed power relocation works to underground existing overhead powerlines. This included the removal of the powerlines and poles, significantly improving the outlook from the precinct.
As part of the works program, a total of five power poles were removed – three in the 132kv switchyard north of Summers Street and two between the Power Station building and the Swan River.
Three new poles were installed to the south of the Power Station near the Graham Farmer Freeway. The original overhead lines, which crossed the Freeway, were relocated and attached to the new steel poles.
The completion of these works means there will be no further disruptions to the shared path adjacent to Graham Farmer Freeway and the Swan River.
Western Power also decommissioned and removed the above ground infrastructure from the electrical substation located in Lot 601, on the southern side of Summers Street, within the redevelopment site.
DevelopmentWA is now completing the removal of the below ground infrastructure. This work is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The electrical substation located on the northern side of Summers Street will remain.
Changes have been made to the existing gas network as part of the site works.
In October 2022, ATCO completed work to relocate its Pressure Reduction Station (PRS) from the East Perth Power Station site to a new temporary location next to the Banks Reserve Car Park.
A gas pipeline has been installed along Summers Street, between Joel Terrace and the foreshore, to connect the gas network to the new, temporary PRS. The existing PRS on the Power Station site was decommissioned and removed as part of these works.
The temporary PRS will maintain a safe, reliable and affordable gas network while a permanent PRS is constructed in Bayswater. The temporary facility is planned to be removed in mid-2025, once the permanent PRS in Bayswater is completed.
Redevelopment lots reclassified
Lots 100 and 600 (refer to map above) have been reclassified from
‘Possibly Contaminated – Investigation Required’ to ‘Remediated for Restricted Use’
under the Contaminated Sites Act, with the restricted use being high density
residential, commercial/industrial and public open space. The reclassification
of Lot 601 is still pending due to removal of the underground infrastructure
being required first.
Community and stakeholder engagement
The project team appreciates that works may have had some impacts on nearby residents, businesses and the local community. All three works packages have been undertaken under strict approvals, guidelines and approved construction management plans to minimise any inconvenience caused to local residents and businesses
Further information, including regular project updates, will be provided to key stakeholders and the surrounding community as works continue to progress.
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