Premier welcomes news of 30-storey office tower for city

13/6/00
Premier Richard Court has welcomed today's announcement that Woodside Energy Limited will become the major tenant in a new $245 million office tower to be built in the Perth CBD.
Mr Court said the 30-storey tower was the latest major development to be announced for the city, which would see sustained construction and redevelopment activity taking place throughout the CBD.
"The decision by Woodside to bring its operations into one building will also consolidate the western end of the central business district as the administrative heart of the oil and gas sector in this State," he said.
"Already this year in that end of the city we have seen Chevron reorganise its Australasian operations and open a new strategic business office and Australia LNG has also established a presence in Perth.
"This is further recognition of the importance, both nationally and internationally, of Western Australia's oil and gas sector - with production valued at around $5 billion annually."
Mr Court said work on the new office tower, to be constructed at 240 St George's Terrace, was due to begin this year. Consideration was also being given to the construction of a five star 220-room hotel on the site.
"These developments come at a time when David Jones has announced a major redevelopment of the Aherns store in the Hay and Murray Street malls," he said.
"The private sector will also spend $40 million on the restoration and redevelopment of the Old Treasury Buildings to create a five star heritage hotel and a new town square."
Mr Court said the most significant new project would be the development of a convention and exhibition centre in Perth - with the Government expected to announce the preferred provider in the next few weeks.
"It has been estimated that around 2,000 people will be employed during the construction phase and 600 full time and part-time staff to operate it," the Premier said.
At the weekend the Government announced that a site in Wellington Street had already been identified as the preferred location for a 19,000 seat sports stadium that would be provided as part of the development of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
"All this construction activity will create thousands of jobs for Western Australians and is further evidence of the strength and potential of this State's economy," Mr Court said.

Media contact: Casey Cahill 9222 9475