Signing of heritage agreement with BankWest

2/7/94

The State Government has taken further steps towards creating a heritage and cultural precinct within the city with the signing this week of a heritage agreement with BankWest.

Heritage Minister Richard Lewis said today that the heritage agreement would allow for the demolition of the bank's former Barrack Street headquarters so that the site could be given a special heritage classification.

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

"It is extremely important that the land is used to provide better access to the Town Hall and the central government buildings, and in revealing sections of those buildings which have not been seen for many years."

Mr Lewis said the agreement would establish the heritage precinct in line with the Heritage Act of WA and would ensure that any work carried out on the site was sympathetic to the design and nature of the existing buildings.

He said that to further protect the integrity of the area, the Government would also provide $70,000 for the preparation of a detailed conservation plan for the area.

The proposed heritage precinct 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.

"The Government believes that it is absolutely essential that a proper plan is drawn up which retains the area's historical significance yet is relevant to today's needs," Mr Lewis said.

The Minister also announced today that the buildings and land within the heritage precinct (excluding the former BankWest buildings) had been entered into the Government's register of heritage places on an interim basis.

"Collectively, the buildings have significant heritage value and form a cultural environment which is associated with the nineteenth century administration of government in the WA colony," he said.

Media contact:   Paul Plowman  222 9595