Many have say on Perth's new waterfront

Western Australians have responded strongly to the opportunity to have a say on initial concepts for a spectacular new waterfront for their capital city.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said that since the proposal was launched in February, the Perth Waterfront site at http://www.perthwaterfront.com.au had received more than 32,500 visits.

"Almost 1,300 visitors have left a comment," Ms MacTiernan said. 

"Of these, 67 per cent have been positive and 20 per cent against; other comments have been neutral or unrelated to the project.

"Many of the negative comments focussed on the architecture of the buildings, which at this stage are conceptual only.

"We have also received more than 150 emails and are expecting submissions from industry organisations and other stakeholder groups."

The Minister said all responses received by 5pm tonight would be fully analysed as part of a review of the concept plan and business case. 

The concept plan would be revised in response to these submissions.

"Our aim is to have the final plan ready by the middle of the year, so we can then begin statutory processes for planning and environmental approval," Ms MacTiernan said.

"There will be further opportunities for public comment during these processes.

"The Government has committed funding for the initial part of the project, developing a new Esplanade area and expanding the Supreme Court Gardens, which is planned to start in 2011.

"Development of the waterfront circle would then begin the following year, with Stage One of the project, which does not include building construction, completed by 2013.

"It is estimated Stage One will cost about $300million, which will be recovered through land sales."