WA Premier Roger Cook’s frustrations boil over as $385 million development drags on
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook wants the developer to speed up and complete the project on the back of a two-tower project on prime land on Perth’s riverside that has been under construction for more than six years.
Construction of the $385 million EQWest towers began in 2019 and is expected to be completed outside the block at Elizabeth Quay, but activity on the site has slowed and developer CA & Associates has made no announcements about the building’s future.
EQWest is located on plots 2 and 3 on the river side of the pier. on friday, Business News The City of Perth has reportedly raised concerns about the quality of work completed on components of the project would eventually be returned to the city.
Cook expressed disappointment when asked Monday about the pace of construction at the EQWest site.
“I continued to discuss this issue with the ministry. I was very angry,” he said.
“Look, this is a beautiful infrastructure, world-class real estate.
“Western Australians deserve to see this project finished. There are housing opportunities there. There are hotel industry opportunities there, there are hotel capacity opportunities there.”
“It’s time for the developer to get down to business and be done with it. We’re very disappointed.”
Cook said he hasn’t talked to the developer about the project.
WAtoday He visited the facility after 4pm on Monday and saw two workers wearing high-visibility clothing, but little else.
The exterior of the project appears to be largely complete, but the annex connecting the towers still had unfinished features and a lot of construction materials piled up inside.
EQWest has a 180-meter, 52-storey tower and a 100-meter, 25-storey tower.
The towers include 493 residential apartments, a 190-room hotel and an art gallery.
CA & Associates also became the latest developer to purchase the waterfront with the purchase of Lot 4.
However, these plans also stalled after they were approved in October 2021.
Development WA recently approved an extension of development consent for a $400 million 54-storey tower.
CA & Associates has until October next year to begin significant work on the site.
This project was planned to bring 70,000 square meters of office space and 176 short-term accommodation units to the CBD.
CA & Associates has been approached for comment.
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Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political correspondent and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Award for best political journalism.Connect with: excitement or email.
