Agreement a big deal for Perth City
Property Council WA is celebrating the announcement of its long-campaigned for priority project the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal.
The Perth City Deal announced on September 20 embraces 11 projects and other initiatives expected to create almost 10,000 jobs.
Three universities will either substantially expand or move into the city centre and the projects will deliver improved transport links, real solutions to homelessness, indigenous commercial initiatives, support Australia’s emerging space industry, cultural experiences and performing arts.
The projects include Edith Cowan University moving its Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts into Perth City Link, above the Perth Busport, as well as Curtin and Murdoch universities expanding, which will result in more than 25,000 CBD-based students when the projects are complete.
ECU’s new $695 million City campus, to operate from 2025, is expected to create 1000 ongoing jobs and draw 9200 staff and students into the CBD. Murdoch is expected to establish a vertical CBD campus with a focus on STEM and digital cultural connections with the local indigenous community and South East Asia. Curtin is to expand its existing campus in the eastern Historic Heart precinct, developing and knowledge and innovation precinct. Murdoch and Curtin will share $360 million in funding.
Another $105 million has been set aside to enhance active and public transport links, including on Roe Street, as well as the recent announcement of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge between Victoria Park and East Perth.
Perth Concert Hall has been allocated $42 million for upgrades and another $20 million will be spent on lighting, security and wayfinding projects around the Perth Cultural Centre and Northbridge. East Perth receives $20 million for initiatives to improve connections and infrastructure around soon to be redeveloped East Perth Power Station. The WACA Ground’s new swimming pool and sports centre receives $100 million.
An Indigenous Business and Employment Hub, in partnership with the Wirrapanda Foundation, has been allocated $14 million but $4 million has been set aside for a pre-feasibility study for an Aboriginal Cultural Centre, expanding on initiatives in Murdoch University’s projects.
The City Deal includes $36 million for improved services for homelessness in the city with a focus on better safety for those without a home in the CBD.
Another $18 million has been set aside for an Australian Space, Robotics, Automation and AI Command Complex, to foster collaboration between start-ups, researchers and small businesses in Australia’s emerging space industry.
Property Council WA Executive Director Sandra Brewer said the industry has been a strong advocate for the Perth City Deal. In March Property Council WA released Project 90K with Urbis, which made specific recommendations about important infrastructure, including schools and playgrounds, to support a residential population of 90,000.
Property Council WA also advocated for a Perth City Deal in its post-pandemic recovery work with NS Group, Emerging Stronger Together, as well as in our recent submission to Infrastructure WA’s State Infrastructure Strategy paper.