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Perths new waterfront opens

Perth’s CBD waterfront development Elizabeth Quay and ferry facilities now open to public

Transperth has run its first ferry service from South Perth, docking at the new Elizabeth Quay jetty in the CBD recently.

The $440 million Elizabeth Quay project has taken four years and also seen the renaming and redevelopment of the nearby Esplanade Station to become Elizabeth Quay Station and bus port.

The new ferry terminal is much closer to Elizabeth Quay Station and the CBD than the Barrack Street jetty, which was formally used and ferry, train and bus patronage is expected to increase gradually as a result.

“When the Liberal National Government was elected in 2008, I pledged that we would be a government which made decisions and one of those was Elizabeth Quay,” Western Australian (WA) premier Colin Barnett says.

“I am pleased to now see it come to fruition and for the people of Western Australia to be able to enjoy this fantastic public space.

“This project fundamentally changes the face of Perth; it connects us to the Swan River and provides a huge boost to the vitality of our city.”

WA planning minister John Days says Elizabeth Quay is a once in a generation project that changed the physical and cultural landscape of Perth.

 “Together with Perth City Link and the Riverside project, Elizabeth Quay is a key part of this government’s vision to progress Perth as an internationally competitive city for the 21st century,” he says.

“My aim for this project was to deliver a space that all West Australians can enjoy, from family friendly activities; to a place workers in the CBD can grab a bite to eat; to a unique destination you can be proud to take visitors to the state, and I believe we have achieved this.”

The sale of the land surrounding development is expected to cover about half of the project’s cost of $440 million, and more than $89 million has already been returned.

Three weeks of celebratory events will take place on site until February 21, with surrounding restaurants, bars and hotels due to open progressively throughout this year.

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