BankWest to benefit from heritage plot ratio transfer system

13/7/94

BankWest has become the first organisation in Western Australia to benefit from a heritage agreement which transfers plot ratios from one building to another.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis recently signed the agreement with BankWest which will enable the transfer of some of the plot ratio from the bank's former Barrack Street headquarters to its St George's Terrace tower.

Mr Lewis said the agreement was an important step in creating a special heritage and cultural precinct within the city - to be known as the Civic Domain.

He said the agreement would allow for the demolition of BankWest's former Barrack Street offices, while at the same time identifying the site as part of the new heritage precinct.

"This is an important step in establishing the Civic Domain because it will ensure that once the BankWest building is demolished the land will be used for the purpose of enhancing the city's heritage," Mr Lewis said.

"The land will be used to open up the unique elevations of the Town Hall and the central Government buildings, and in revealing sections of those buildings which have not been seen by the public for many years."

Plot ratio transfers have previously been negotiated separately by the relevant authorities and the owners of buildings.

"In this case, about 6,400 square metres of the permitted plot ratio was transferred to the BankWest tower by the Perth City Council," Mr Lewis said.

The arrangement was negotiated between the Heritage Council, the Perth City Council and BankWest, which advised that it was appropriate to include the plot ratio transfer as part of the heritage agreement.

The move will overcome problems which have restricted the use and development of the tower building.

Mr Lewis said plot ratio transfers were one of a number of conservation incentives available to building-owners under the State's Heritage Act.

These included - under certain conditions - the waiving of land tax, the remission of rates and variations on building and planning by-laws and regulations.

The Minister said that to further protect the integrity of the Civic Domain, the Government would provide $70,000 for the preparation of a detailed conservation plan for the area.

"It is absolutely essential that a proper plan is draw up to identify how the buildings in the Domain complement each other and advise on how they can be adapted to today's needs," he said.

Most of the buildings and land within the heritage precinct (excluding the former BankWest buildings) have been entered into the Government's register of heritage places on an interim basis and the additional work will identify others that should be considered.

The Civic Domain is bounded by Barrack Street, Hay Street, St George's Terrace and Pier Street and includes the Town Hall, the Treasury Building, the former Land Titles Office, St George's Cathedral and the Deanery.

It also extends south of St George's Terrace to Riverside Drive, Barrack Street and Victoria Avenue and includes Government House, Stirling Gardens and the Supreme Court.

Media contact: Paul Plowman  222 9595