Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas calls for suggestions for redevelopment of 27,000sqm East Perth block

A massive and underdeveloped CBD block nearly 30,000sqm in size could be transformed into apartments, offices and a university club-style sport and recreation centre, under an upcoming masterplan. Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said suggestions were being sought from locals and developers over what to do with the East Perth site at 2 and 2B Plain Street, covering 27,000sqm, which is the same size as the Supreme Court Gardens on Riverside Drive. The land is used as a carpark and for the Tattersall’s Bowling Club, but with the club’s lease coming to an end, the city was creating a masterplan to guide future development. Mr Zempilas said the area could potentially be transformed into the city’s first dedicated sports club, a new hotel, offices or a multi-level carpark with residential housing on top, among other facilities. He said early suggestions indicated locals wanted to retain a lawn bowls club, but it would move to artificial turf to help keep costs down. A spokeswoman for the City of Perth said the block at 2 Plain Street was 18,600sqm, on a freehold title owned by the City, and zoned for parks and recreation and central city. The block at 2B Plain Street was 8600sqm in size, under a management order from Crown Land to the City of Perth, and zoned parks and recreation. Mr Zempilas said the council was particularly keen to include a community hub that would help attract and cater for more residents in the area. Mr Zempilas said the site would most likely include a multi-level, multi-purpose club and function rooms which could be used for hospitality, recreation and social events. “We’d also like to see some beach volleyball pits, and a gym, Pilates and yoga studios and sports medicine function could also be part of the mix,” he said. Referencing a previous funding stoush with the State Government over the aquatic centre at the nearby WACA site, Mr Zempilas, right, said the only amenity not under consideration for the Plain Street site was a swimming pool. “We won’t be doubling up on a swimming pool, we have committed $25 million towards the WACA swimming facility and unless for some reason the State Government doesn’t proceed with the WACA pool, this redevelopment won’t include one,” he said. “But otherwise the sky is the limit. This is a large footprint. It’s not just the area covered by the bowling club and greens, it’s also the maintenance area behind and the large City of Perth carpark alongside. “The carpark could be anything. We really will wait and see what the community and developers propose.” Residents will be spoiled for choice, with the nearby WACA set to include two pools, an oval with tiered seating for 10,000, a health and fitness facility, high- performance cricket centre with 10-lane indoor cricket centre, childcare and creche, museum, cafe and function centre.