New police museum in East Perth to cost $14.5m
The WA Police Force has launched a multi-million dollar plan to turn the former East Perth prison into a museum.
The application submitted to DevelopmentWA includes a proposal to demolish the western side of the East Perth building and reuse the eastern part as a museum and cafe.
The building in Adelaide Terrace was a correctional institution that has been vacant since 2013.
Partial demolition and adaptive reuse of the building would cost approximately $14.5 million, according to the development application.
The app also shows other options WAPOL is exploring; including a $39 million plan to retain the existing building and begin improvements.
A WA Police spokesman said: Business News While a non-profit organization was established to operate the museum, its ownership belongs to the police department.
The spokesman said WAPOL anticipates the museum will be partially open by March 2027 to coincide with the World Police and Fire Games in Perth.
If approved and built, the WA Police Museum in East Perth will replace the current display at Highgate.
“The current museum volunteer Historical Society facility at Highgate is undersized, technologically obsolete and lacks adequate teaching, learning and storage facilities,” the application said.
“It also fails to properly display or preserve currently existing artifacts and exhibits. [Western Australia Police Force’s] property.
“Whilst the WAPOL Historical Society operates independently, the new museum will provide a dedicated public facility to showcase the history and heritage of WA Police, integrating the historical society’s collection with WAPF’s own collection under the direction of the newly appointed WAPF museum curator.”
The proposed museum would be a catalyst for the future growth and expansion of the police department’s collection and public outreach programs, the application said.
“The proposal is supported by a comprehensive program of structural repairs, including the building’s concrete frame, roof and utility infrastructure,” the document states.
‘As stated in the engineering report, the eastern part of the building remains structurally viable although in disrepair, while the western part is beyond repair within foreseeable financial capacity.’
