1 September
2006 - The proposed redevelopment of the old Treasury
site in the Perth CBD was like putting mag wheels
on a classic vintage car, Australian Minister
for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian
Campbell, said today.
The height and design of the
buildings that had been proposed would undermine
the architectural and heritage values of the historic
site.
“I have seen the plans and they
are in massive conflict with the built heritage
of the Treasury precinct,” Senator Campbell said.
“They will forever rob the people
of Western Australia of the opportunity for a
really significant central meeting place in what
is an important historic location for the state.
“As the Australian Heritage
Minister and a Western Australian with a long
interest in the preservation the heritage of our
city, I am horrified at the proposal. If this
development is allowed to proceed it will be nothing
less than an act of vandalism on our central city.”
Senator Campbell said he was
concerned that while the State Government’s Planning
Commission committee was due to make a decision
about the proposal on September 20, there had
been no adequate public consultation.
“This is a project of massive
scale and for the State Government to allow it
to proceed in such an important heritage precinct
without proper public consultation is an absolute
travesty,” Senator Campbell said.
Senator Campbell will be making
a submission to the WA Planning Commission’s Central
Perth Planning Committee detailing his strong
opposition to the proposal.
Rob Broadfield
