A key stage of the Elizabeth Quay project is now under way, with the start of work to open up the inlet at the centre of the people-friendly precinct.
The work involves building a limestone and granite wall that will hold back the Swan River and allow excavation on the inlet to begin.
Planning Minister John Day launched the river wall construction work and said it marked a key stage in bringing Elizabeth Quay to life.
The wall will take six months to complete and use 27,000 cubic metres of local limestone and granite.
“ The inlet will be the centrepiece of this precinct, which will bring the Swan River to the doorstep of the CBD and create a new destination for people to live, work and socialise by the water ,” Mr Day said.
“ Once the wall is in place, the managing contractor – Leighton Broad – will remove enough sand to fill 45 Olympic sized swimming pools and line the inlet with concrete panels.
“ By mid-2015, sections of the wall will be removed to allow water from the Swan River to flow into the inlet for the first time .”
The Minister said a one kilometre silt curtain had been installed to protect the Swan River during the construction of the wall.
Mr Day said projects such as Elizabeth Quay would help secure Western Australia’s social and economic future.
“ It’s often overlooked that this project is providing real economic benefit for WA. Elizabeth Quay will provide an estimated 1,600 direct and indirect jobs for the local economy during construction ,” he said.
“ In addition, the project is expected to attract $2.2billion in private sector investment .
“ A significant portion of the Liberal National Government’s $440million forward investment will be returned to the State from the sale of the highly sought-after land in the area.
“ There has already been considerable private sector interest in a number of the sites and the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority is finalising the evaluation of proposals for a 5-star hotel and residential development adjacent to Barrack Street Jetty .”
The Minister said people would be able to interact with Elizabeth Quay by spring 2015.
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Press Release, September 30, 2013