The Link Masterplan is the culmination of over three years of planning, research, consultation and collaborative design.

For years Perth has held the reputation for having beautiful natural assets, great weather and a relaxed, friendly lifestyle. However we have lacked some of the buzz factor usually associated with big city life. The Link is one of the many projects our Government has underway to inject new life into the city.

The Link is an extremely significant project for the evolution of Perth. Not only will it reconnect the city centre with Northbridge for the first time in over 100 years, it will create strong linkages to the foreshore and deliver an intensity of people and activity into the city.

The draft Masterplan was launched for a four month community consultation period in January 2007. We reviewed all feedback and worked to create a final plan that responds to our city and its people by:

• Increasing the amount of public space throughout the project;
• Making Wellington and Roe Streets more pedestrian focused through the creation of broad landscaped boulevards;
• Creating larger urban public plazas throughout the development such as King's Square; and
• Providing greater connectivity through the project area and also with greater Perth through street design.

The result is a more innovative, progressive destination bringing together shops, offices, a hotel, apartments, parks and gardens, cultural venues, restaurants and bars, whilst retaining high quality public transport.

The review process also led to a name change reflecting the place the project has as part of the bigger picture for Perth, the project has evolved to be named ‘The Link’.

The Link project is a collaboration between the East Perth Redevelopment Authority, City of Perth and the Public Transport Authority. Sinking the Wellington Street Bus Station and the Fremantle rail line, from Perth station to Lake Street, will prepare the site for redevelopment. While focusing on the project area, the design team has also addressed surrounding streets to ensure the development interacts with the wider city.

The Link project area will be redeveloped into a cultural and social hub, contributing to Perth’s ‘coming of age’ as a truly world-class city.