(l-r) Landcorp chief executive Frank Marra, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Premier Mark McGowan announced $227m for demolition of Subiaco Oval and Princess Margaret Hospital. Photo: Jon Bassett
Camera Icon(l-r) Landcorp chief executive Frank Marra, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti and Premier Mark McGowan announced $227m for demolition of Subiaco Oval and Princess Margaret Hospital. Photo: Jon Bassett Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Subiaco Oval demolition gathers pace

Jon BassettWestern Suburbs Weekly

SUBIACO Mayor Penny Taylor wants the significance of sport at Subiaco Oval and the history of the old Princess Margaret Hospital to be honoured in the $1 billion Subi East development.

“We’d like something at the oval that is not just a set of gates going nowhere, like the Barrack Street Arch, but more like a statement to the importance of sport history to Subiaco,” Ms Taylor said.

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The two sites comprise the 34-hectare development where Premier Mark McGowan announced $227 million for their demolition this morning.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Ms Taylor said a redeveloped hospital site, due for demolition starting the end of next year, had to have a memorial to acknowledge the mothers, babies and families of WA.

She said the council was working with the Government to include “community spaces” in master planning, but she would not elaborate on what they may be, in addition to the already protected entrance gate and Sandover Medal Walk at the oval.

State planners have recently started the hospital’s master plan, which is to include a period of public comment some time in the next 18 months.

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Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Mr McGowan said the oval’s demolition, including 100,000 tonnes of concrete, would be completed before the adjacent Bob Hawke College opens next February.

He said Subi East would create 2700 jobs during construction, and its new residents would help bolster flagging Rokeby Road and Hay Street retail nearby.

However, when asked what private investment in the $1b had been committed, Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said it was an amount which Landcorp had calculated over the life of the project.

Ms Saffioti and McGowan also opened the new $8 million Hamilton Street bridge to connect the college, Subi East and residents to trains, shops and the Perth to Mosman Park cycling path.

(l-r) Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti opened the $8m Hamilton Street bridge. Photo: Jon Bassett
Camera Icon(l-r) Premier Mark McGowan and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti opened the $8m Hamilton Street bridge. Photo: Jon Bassett Credit: Supplied/Supplied

A final design to replace Swanbourne’s 1910-built Congdon Street bridge is now expected after Christmas.