AUSTRALIA: Perth's Elizabeth Quay To Be Open By Christmas

The WA Government has finally revealed it expects the Elizabeth Quay project to open to the public in December, but as few as one or two new hospitality venues will be operating by then.

Planning Minister John Day downplayed concerns the private development surrounding the new inlet would take 15 to 20 years to complete, saying he hoped it could be finished within a decade.

But the December opening date for the Quay's public areas is behind the long promoted Spring 2015 opening date.

Mr Day conceded not all work on the public areas of the Quay was expected to be completed when it opened, probably just before Christmas.
Key points

Elizabeth Quay project set to open in December
Not all food and drink outlets will be ready
Government says private development should be finished within a decade

"There will probably be some of the final works being undertaken in the early part of next year but there will be public access available in a big way by the end of this year," he said.

That would not include the buildings which will eventually surround the inlet, which are expected to eventually include offices, apartments, hotels and hospitality venues.

In a tender document earlier this year, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority estimated work on private developments at the site could continue for another 15 to 20 years.

But Mr Day said he was optimistic the timeframe would be shorter than that.

"Obviously we cannot be absolutely certain as to when the final building will be completed, we estimate it will probably be about 10 years," he said.

"If it's a bit longer, so be it, and if it's a bit less, so be it."
Pop-up food and drink outlets

Mr Day admitted it was unlikely many hospitality venues, including cafes, bars and restaurants, would be operating when the Quay opened to the public.

"We are hoping that at least one or two of them in the new buildings there will be open by the end of the year," he said.

"But there will also be some pop-up or temporary facilities for food and beverage as well so it is going to be a pretty wonderful destination."

Mr Day said construction of a Ritz-Carlton hotel and apartment development was on track to start in the first half of 2016.