Premier Colin Barnett has revealed his plans for City Square at Perth City Link to rival Melbourne’s Federation Square.
Mr Barnett said the plan for what the new City Square was developed after the government received more than 2,000 ideas from the community and stakeholders.
The concept drawings show City Square with a marketplace, urban rooftop garden, water features, kiosks, retail spaces, landscaped walkways, play spaces and Aboriginal art.
City Square will be just more than 1 hectare in size, which is 25 per cent bigger than the main open space at Federation Square in Melbourne.
“City Square will be a dynamic new destination that embraces Perth’s lifestyle and character to become one of our city’s most significant places,” Mr Barnett said.
“Up until the late 1920s, Perth people enjoyed fresh food markets in the city on the corner of William and Wellington streets. City Square will herald the return of food, community and city life at the Horseshoe Bridge.”
Planning Minister John Day said tens of thousands of people were expected to move through City Square every day once it was completed.
“It will be a place where people can enjoy events, public art and open spaces in the heart of the city, connect with public transport and businesses or simply pass through the area en route to Northbridge and the Perth Cultural Centre,” Mr Day said.
Construction work is expected to start in mid-2014 and be completed by late 2016.