Clean-up of asbestos from East Perth power station site nearly completed

5/4/95

Planning Minister Richard Lewis said today the clean-up of the East Perth power station site was well under way with the removal of harmful asbestos nearly completed.

The rejuvenation of the site is part of the $100 million East Perth redevelopment and is the biggest rehabilitation program of its type ever undertaken in Western Australia.

The Minister said Western Power had already spent several million dollars on the safe removal of asbestos from the power station buildings in Summers Street.

"The project has also included the demolition of unsightly chimney stacks and the removal of roof level equipment," Mr Lewis said.

"The clean-up of the site will also enhance the Swan River foreshore."

The Minister said the long-term future of the power station site had not been finalised.

"Redevelopment options depend on, amongst other considerations, the outcome of detailed building condition surveys and the extent to which machinery and building elements are required to be kept for heritage conservation purposes," Mr Lewis said.

The redevelopment of East Perth is one of the biggest urban renewal projects in Australia and is a national model for future inner city residential development.

Mr Lewis said a rolling program of land releases was planned for East Perth with a further two parcels of residential land due to be released this month.

Media contact:  Bronwyn Hillman 222 9595, 221 1377