East Perth Power Station to be upgraded.

23/11/03
The heritage-listed East Perth Power Station will be kept, its external fa?ade restored, surrounding land decontaminated and the foreshore upgraded following State Government approval of a proposal to secure the site.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today the East Perth Redevelopment Authority would acquire ownership of the site from Western Power.
"Over the next year, plans for the station's future use will be developed," Ms MacTiernan said.

"The East Perth Power Station is one of the most significant heritage buildings in Western Australia and a critical part of the State's industrial history."
The Minister said the East Perth Redevelopment Authority would commence work on stabilising the building.
The authority would also carry out community consultation on future use of the property.
"As promised before the last election, this Government has secured the power station's future - and at modest cost to the taxpayer," Ms MacTiernan said.
The Minister said the $12.1million required to weatherproof, stabilise and prevent further deterioration at the site had been met through a $9.08million contribution from Western Power and $3.02million from the State Government.
Land around the site would be developed to offset the cost to the State Government.
"The decision to preserve and secure the power station now paves the way for open discussion with the community and interest groups about future uses for the site," Ms MacTiernan said.
"A number of options for the historic space have been considered, including an art gallery, museum, an exhibition or performing arts centre.
"The future use of the power station and the adjacent land will involve broad consultation with the community and result in an end use that ensures the site is accessible to the public."
The Minister said all proposals for the power station would be considered extensively and the Government would seek an end use that was not only compatible for the site, but also offered the best outcome for the State's net debt position.
"EPRA will commence master planning for the site in 2004 and future development for the whole precinct, including land around the Power Station site already owned by EPRA, will ultimately result in a fully integrated, transit-oriented development," she said.
"The Government has advised Australian Capital Equity of our decision and that while we are moving to restore the fa?ade and remediate surrounding land we are still keen to discuss options for their use and development of the site."
Community consultation to determine an end use will commence in the New Year with local residents, interest groups and relevant Government organisations.
Minister's office: 9213 6400

FACT SHEET
The history of the East Perth Power Station
1913 - State Government announces it will build a power station 'to generate all the electricity needed in the Perth Metropolitan area'. East Perth was the chosen site because coal could be barged to the riverside site and the enormous quantities of cooling water required by the boilers could be drawn from the Swan River.
1913 - Construction commences.
1916 - Construction is completed at a total cost of ?538,000. Power generation commences when Unit #1 goes on line on 3 December 1916. Units #2 and #3 begin generating power in March and April 1917 for a total generating capacity of 12 megawatts.
1922 - Unit #4, a 7.5 megawatt generator was added. Demand for power began to increase rapidly. More generation was required.
1925 - Unit #5, of 12.5 megawatt capacity began generating power.
1929 - Total power generation from East Perth power station was 32 megawatts. The estimated capital value of the power station was ?1 million.
1932 - WA Government announces it will privatise power generation and seeks purchasers for the East Perth power station from the private sector. The idea was abandoned later that year, due to lack of interest.
1938 - Station B, a new powerhouse building was built alongside the existing building (Station A) was constructed around a massive new 25 megawatt generation unit (Unit #6). Station A almost doubled the capacity of the East Perth power station.
1956 - A new 30 megawatt generating unit (Unit #7) is commissioned.
1968 - East Perth power station converted to oil (from coal).
1974 - East Perth power station returned to coal firing.
1981 - After 68 years of continual service, East Perth power station closed down on the 23rd of December 1981. More advanced and cheaper methods of electricity generation had made East Perth redundant.
2003 (Nov) - WA Government approves plans to save the heritage listed buildings that comprise the East Perth power station complex. Planning and public consultation commences to determine its future use.

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