International architectural firm Populous has been appointed by the Government of Western Australia to design a new AU$700m (£450m, EUR535m, US$699m) stadium in Perth.

Forming the centrepiece of the city's "emerging eastside precinct", the new stadium is to be built on the Burswood Peninsula and is expected to have a seating capacity of 60,000.

Master-planning for the scheme is due to be completed in mid-2012, with work scheduled to commence in 2014. The new stadium has an anticipated completion date of 2018.

According to the state government, the stadium will be the third largest - in terms of capacity - in Australia and the second largest Australian Football League home stadium.

Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett also revealed the northern portion of the Burswood Park Golf Course had been earmarked as the preferred site for the development.

Barnett said: "Populous will consult with key stakeholders including the various sporting bodies to ensure we take the right brief forward to the next stage of the project.

"This will include providing the best spectator viewing option for sports like rugby and soccer that require a rectangular playing field."