VISITED
13th September 2003
12th March 2004
WESTRALIA SWAMP
WHAT IS IT?
The notorious 'Hole in the Ground' - a large, vacant city block excavated to basement level and flooded by a burst water pipe right in the heart of the CBD. It was the intended site of the old Westralia Square Tower - a skyscraper project planned in the 80's but never actually built (the optimistic project logo of three soaring towers can still be found scattered about the one section of the project that was actually constructed). The land was purchased by Kerry Packer in 1988 and was finally sold by him in 2003 for a total loss of hundreds of millions of dollars - the site lying derelict all this time.
Years of neglect and flooding (from leaks in the pipes set up to 'temporarily' redirect utilities around the site during construction) have allowed nature to reclaim the site in a spectacular fashion. Several open areas of water (studded with rusted girders and stained concrete piles) are surrounded by fields of rushes and pampas grass. Bushes and even full grown trees stand in more stable areas, half concealing scattered piles of construction debris. A naked concrete parking area sticks out into the site, providing fantastic views if you could only get inside its lower levels.
Rumours are rife that with the sale of the site (and the commencement of several nearby construction projects such as the Convention Centre and Southern Rail Link) redevelopment may be just around the corner, so try and see this unique piece of urban decay while you still have the chance.
WHERE IS IT?
Between Mounts Bay Road and St Georges Terrace in central Perth, just opposite the Bus Station and convention centre construction site.
HOW TO SEE IT
A number of buildings overlook the site, but getting inside them probably wouldn't be worth the effort when vantage points just as good are freely accessible.
The eastern part of the site can be viewed through the chain link gate on Mounts Bay Road (just east of the Westralia Square Building) and from the stairwell up to the pedestrian walkway on the front of the Quadrant building.
Fantastic views over the much larger western part are available from the walkway running between Westralia Square and St George's Terrace. This can be accessed (from the Mount's Bay Road side) by climbing the stairs up to the middle Bus Station walkway then heading into the Westralia Square building. Head up the stairs or escalators and you should see the walkway on your right. The entrance from St George's Terrace is just to the west of the old Perth Boy's School (now National Trust headquarters).
Please note that this walkway is actually private property generously left open for the benefit of the public by the owners. As such the owners are perfectly entitled to ask anyone to leave for any reason or shut off access entirely whenever they feel like it.
HIGHLIGHTS
One of the ruptured waterpipes that have filled the site can be found at the southwest corner, just below the Quadrant building staircase. It is best seen from the staircase although you hear it bubbling away behind the fence from the street.
About halfway along the walkway a girder pokes out over the site. This is littered with small change, apparently people have taken to tossing coins at it either as a test of skill or for luck. It would be interesting to see how much small change could be found down in the swamp with a metal detector :)
