The Heritage listing means a developer would have to retain and restore the building in a manner sensitive to its history. More than 65 per cent supported light rail across the inner city, 57 per cent wanted a new water park in Maylands, 51 per cent wanted a cable car from Kings Park to Elizabeth Quay, and 23 per cent a new convention centre. “In my first speech some six months ago, I raised the East Perth Power Station as a missed tourism opportunity,” Mr Gorman said. “Overwhelmingly, Perth voters are demanding action. “For too long, the site has sat unused, and the heritage-listed building has been rotting on the banks of the Swan River, a prime site for redevelopment.”

The MRA recently allowed Mr Gorman to tour the building. He said the five options in the survey were the topics people had continually brought up with him in conversation during his time in office. He said the community needed a discussion about what needed to be done with the power station. “It is clear that this spectacular old building and its heritage features needs to be retained and utilised as part of a redevelopment,” he said. “We can’t rely on a market approach to repair an asset that has been vacant for 40 years.

“I want to fly someone in for Canberra to come and look at it and discuss funding, but we need a decision on what we want. “For example, Scitech is looking for a new home, its facilities are ageing. “The Powerhouse in Brisbane is another excellent model, with something for people of all ages. I think something that might be able to get off the ground.” He was also open to the suggestion of an art gallery, such as had been discussed in 2015. The land around it might support a science precinct, he thought.

Loading “And it’s hugely beautiful. There is still so much of the original plant from the 1920s in there,” he said. “You’ve got the Perth Stadium across the river. “There is a large parcel of land here, well connected to public transport, with a lot of potential for urban infill as well, but this will take leadership. “I am interested in hearing suggestions for the redevelopment of the site.

“The other interesting thing was the cable car which generated strong views on either side, so cable car proponents would need to sell the benefits a bit more strongly.” The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority in 2015 called for expressions of interest to develop the site and shortlisted five applicants. But the existing switchyard has to be moved before proponents can be invited to provide detailed proposals. WAtoday reported in June 2018 that the MRA and Western Power were in discussions to “accelerate relocation”. A spokesman for Western Power said the East Perth Power Station and associated land was the MRA's responsibility.

"We have a 66kV switchyard on the site and there are plans to have it decommissioned at some point in the future,” he said. Loading It was around the same time an international art foundation approached Australian multinational architecture firm Hassell to find a location for a new cultural building. Hassell proposed a contemporary gallery at the East Perth site, connecting with the old power station at its northern end to maintain the station's historic riverfront presence, and released artists’ impressions of what such a building might look like. “Around the world there are major galleries housed in historic and contemporary buildings. A project like MONA in Tasmania is an example of an economic and tourism boost to the state,” Hassell principal and board member Mark Loughnan said.