The City of Canning has welcomed commitments from both parties to the Bentley regeneration project after years of no activity.
At a Committee for Economic Development Australia luncheon City of Canning deputy mayor Lindsay Holland received commitments from both Treasurer Mike Nahan and shadow treasurer Ben Wyatt that the project would be a priority for the new government.
Mr Holland asked the treasurers whether they would commit to the Bentley project, the different funding models and funding the project in the short term.
In last week’s Examiner Mr Wyatt said he would act on the project immediately if elected in March and reiterated that commitment at the luncheon.
Dr Nahan agreed with Mr Wyatt at the luncheon.
Mr Holland said the city was pleased to be able to receive commitments on the future of the project.
“This project presents great opportunities and outcomes for the community and we will be excited to see the vision come to realisation,” he said.
Apart from a structure plan adopted in April 2015, not much has happened in the suburb and Brownlie Towers, built in 1970, continue to fall into disrepair with water and power issues.
The Housing Authority owns a majority of the land and general manager commercial operations Nigel Hindmarsh said it remained a priority to them but there were difficulties with it.
“The Bentley regeneration project will be one of the largest and most significant urban infill projects undertaken in WA and will provide new affordable housing opportunities and construction jobs for Western Australians,” he said.
“The Housing Authority’s vision for the project is a transformational community with more than 1,500 new homes.
“The scale of works, capital investment required and current property market conditions present a number of challenges that the Housing Authority must manage to successfully deliver the project.”
Mr Hindmarsh did not say whether they would demolish Brownlie Towers.
He said they were continuing to monitor market conditions and consider the optimum approach for both Brownlie Towers and the overall regeneration area but demolition of ancillary buildings would happen soon.
“It is anticipated that Housing will progress demolition of ancillary buildings on site including the old shops which have been vacant and boarded up for several years,” he said.
“Also the structurally compromised upper deck of the carpark will be included in the demolitions carried out in the first quarter of 2017.”
