Upheaval on the Perth waterfront

Captured from the top of the Belltower, high above Riverside Drive, this is the view of Perth's Esplanade as it undergoes its biggest upheaval in generations to make way for Elizabeth Quay.

This week the demolition of Alf Curlewis Gardens and the Florence Hummerston kiosk on the Esplanade was completed, while moving or cutting down trees continued.

The felling of trees including large Moreton Bay and Port Jackson fig trees - some more than a century old - has caused community distress in recent weeks.

Planning Minister John Day said that half of the more than 300 trees within the Elizabeth Quay site would be retained, relocated in the area or transplanted elsewhere.

Roadworks between William Street and the Narrows Bridge to make Riverside Drive two-way had also started, Mr Day said.

"This stretch currently only accommodates east-west traffic but is being modified to allow traffic to flow west-east," he said.

"This will improve significantly access for road users travelling east from the western suburbs."