Scitech scouts new location
An independent planning group has been established to investigate potential new locations for Scitech after the organisation turned down Colin Barnett's offer for it to move to the Burswood peninsula.
Scitech chief executive Alan Brien said the cost of moving to Burswood, and the logistics of the construction site, was more than the not-for-profit organisation could afford.
The $15 million promised by the Premier to move the discovery centre from its home of 26 years remains on the table, and Mr Brien hoped the newly established planning group would have a report to the Government by the end of the year.
"We went back to the Premier and said thanks for the opportunity, but we say no thank you, but we want to keep working and come back to you with a more rigorous plan," Mr Brien said.
"Twenty-six years in, this facility is starting to show its age. We're here until 2018 but want to go back with a very considered vision for the future and obviously our quest is to look for a purpose-built facility that enables us to be world class."
A central location near public transport would be ideal, Mr Brien said. "The CBD is more attractive because it draws the most number of people," he said.
