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City of Perth commits to revitalising Perth s retail precincts

  • August 10, 2017

City of Perth commits to revitalising Perth’s retail precincts

 

The Property Council supports the City of Perth’s move to revitalise the Perth CBD through the Heritage Rates Concession policy and the expansion of the Barrack Street Improvement Model.

At the recent council meeting, the recommendations were adopted that incentivises upgrades of underutilised heritage buildings, as well as activation of the City’s east end.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the amendment to the Heritage Rates Concessions Policy is an owner-based incentive, principally aimed at expediting the adaptive re-use of heritage sites within, and interfacing the malls.

 “The City has agreed to greatly reduce rates for five years for owners of underutilised heritage sites who repair, upgrad’e and activate their buildings.    

“This is a 3.5-million-dollar investment by the City. There are 11 targeted heritage sites throughout the City’s malls in need of urgent attention, with many others vacant.

“With the imminent addition of Amazon to Australia and the expansion of suburban shopping centres, this is a once in -year opportunity for the City to maintain its competitive advantage, support local business, activate the economy, and protect the heritage fabric of Perth,” said Ms Scaffidi.

A further recommendation passed by the Council will see opportunity for upgrades to the City’s east end.

The expansion of the Barrack Street Improvement Model to surrounding areas of Murray, Hay, and Pier Streets, is in response to the precinct’s ongoing strategic importance to the City and to assist in revitalising the area.

Surrounded by iconic landmarks such as Cathedral Square, Town Hall and the Perth Mint the framework provides for the City to deliver sponsorships, donations, and grants to the private and public realm through upgrades to facades, addressing dilapidation, enhancing streetscapes, and instigating an overall progressive uplift to the area’s appearance.

“It is very promising to see the City of Perth renew its commitment to revitalising the inner city. The property Council has been working closely with the City of Perth since the release of the report Big and Small Ideas for Perth,” Property Council WA Executive Director Lino Iacomella said.

“All stakeholders in the inner-city must work together to ensure the city remains competitive with suburban shopping centres.

“The upkeep of the malls’ heritage aspects will provide a significant point of difference for the CBD, while development of above commercial space will encourage more business into the CBD,” Mr Iacomella said.