The Barnett government’s push to amalgamate Perth’s four redevelopment authorities into a single Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) could fast track the development around the city’s key transport links.
The Barnett government’s push to amalgamate Perth’s four redevelopment authorities into a single Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority (MRA) could fast track the development around the city’s key transport links.
The MRA would replace the Midland, Armadale, East Perth and Subiaco redevelopment authorities as well as take responsibility for the city foreshore project.
Planning Minister John Day would not discuss who was likely to lead the MRA, however, he revealed long-serving EPRA chief Tony Morgan would be a key player in bringing the existing authorities together if the legislation was passed by parliament.
“Once it (the MRA) is established, he is one to be considered but we need to consider further how we go about that appointment process,” Mr Day said.
“He has done a good job at EPRA … there is quite a lot of work going on behind the scenes which Tony is going to be leading in the detail and implementation of bringing these various organisations together.”
The government has not identified any new precincts the amalgamated MRA would target but transport-oriented sites are likely to be high priority.
It has set an ambitious timeline for the project, with the MRA scheduled to start work as early as January next year.
“We see the model as being effective and successful, particularly … where there are complex issues to deal with, where it would be highly unlikely that the private sector would get involved because of the upfront cost and the complex technical and environmental issues,” Mr Day said.
“Also where there is a desire and opportunity for substantial urban redevelopment or transit-oriented redevelopment.”
Mr Day dismissed any suggestion the MRA would face resistance from local councils.
“In the case of Midland and Armadale, the local councils wanted them to be established,” he said.
“It does often involve the state contributing funding upfront to enable development to commence that would otherwise not occur.”
The WA arm of the Urban Development Institute of Australia foresees the MRA will play an important role in fulfilling the state government’s desire to increase development and density around key transport nodes.
WA chief Debra Goostrey said local councils did not necessarily have the skills or experience to deal with the complex issues involved in increasing density around transport links like train stations.
“This is good news for people in Perth in that we will see some of the opportunities for density happening in a timely way,” Ms Goostrey said.
“But the real test is which areas they will target to develop. Where we would see opportunities is along the railway line to Midland, there are more challenges when you look at the railway line north … you have Glendalough but again it would take a change in land use and land assembly to do it.”
The Subiaco Redevelopment Authority and the East Perth Redevelopment Authority already share an office on Lindsay Street in Perth and it’s understood the MRA would retain offices in Midland and Armadale.
The MRA would be governed by a seven-member board and all the administrative functions would be centralised.
