A “game-changing” bid to transform Perth’s waterfront has overwhelming public backing, research commissioned by The Courier has revealed.
The council’s masterplan for the River Tay envisages water taxis operating from pontoons along the front and a floating heritage centre in an effort to capitalise on an “under-used asset”.
Costings for utilising the Tay as a tourist corridor and leisure resource estimate it would require around £9 million, a financial commitment the public support according to the Pulse of Perth survey.
It revealed that the ambitious proposals have captured the imagination of local people, with more than 62% of respondents to the wide-ranging survey saying sinking money into the riverfront area was “a worthwhile investment” while only 18% were opposed.
The endorsement of the council vision of “a vibrant, busy and thriving River Tay” was welcomed by Councillor John Kellas who has long championed making more of the opportunities the river presents.
“It is absolutely fundamental to have a game-changer for Perth and this would be it,” said Mr Kellas.
Mr Kellas added: “It would be an attraction that would be seen as unique and offering good reason to come to Perth.
“Anything that makes use of the river to see Perth from a different vantage point has to be valued.
“It must enhance and not destroy what the river has we are mindful of that.
“We should see things starting to move in 2015.”
The first steps from the drawing board to reality have in fact already begun and an application for pontoons at key points on the waterfront has been approved.
Mr Kellas said he was pleased that the level of public support for the scheme revealed by the Pulse of Perth survey, as was Provost Liz Grant.
She pointed out that the council’s approval of a five star hotel plan at Kinfauns could be another vital part in the jigsaw of promoting the river.
On this point the survey revealed a slightly less enthusiastic welcome towards a new, top hotel in the Perth area.
While not related to the Kinfauns plan, or any other particular proposal, the response was nearly 39% in favour of a five star hotel with almost 24% opposed while over 37% were unsure of the merits of an upmarket hotel development.
On another front vital to the development of the Tay, it was confirmed a number of private investors are vying to pump money into Perth Harbour.
As part of a marketing process by the council a number of groups have been outlining their business cases for how the harbour should be developed and how it would maximise the use of the harbour as an economic asset.
The council will decide early in the new year whether to pursue these investment opportunities.
The online Pulse of Perth survey results were based on responses from more than 300 people.
While more than 30% of respondents lived in the city nearly 60% came from the surrounding district, describing their relationship with Perth as visiting for “shopping/leisure/business”.