Committee for Perth Team (left to right): Kirsten Compton - Executive Operations Officer; Hillary Lambert - Member Engagement and Events Manager; Francien Boom - Marketing Specialist; Nathalie Heppeler - Communications Specialist; Tania Hudson - Chief Executive Officer |
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Kaya, We know that major events can be catalytic in a city’s transformation, usually leaving a positive legacy that endures well beyond the event.
This is now playing out in real time on an Olympic level in Brisbane. I recently spent time there, working with the CEOs of other Committees for Capital Cities to share information and resources, and collaborate on potential research projects and events. |
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Brisbane is gearing up for the 2032 Olympic Games, and we were fortunate to be hosted on a walking tour of Olympic sites by Australian Olympic Committee leader and Committee for Brisbane Deputy Vice-President, Jacob Anson.
The Brisbane Olympics story is as much about urban renewal, liveability, densification with identity, and investment and trade outcomes, as it is about the world’s best sportspeople coming together in a premier competition. The runway to the Olympics will see the connection of key inner-city precincts and creation of a new generation of economic hubs, with walk-ability and accessible engagement as important as the development of new sporting venues.
Investment into the transformation and connection of the Victoria Park, Bowen Hills, Woolloongabba, Southbank, Roma St, CBD and Kelvin Grove precincts will fundamentally change how residents and visitors engage with Brisbane beyond 2032. With the Brisbane 2032 Legacy Strategy – Elevate 2042 - firmly in place, the city has a clear framework for how it intends to leverage the Olympic and Paralympic Games platform to deliver lasting economic, social and environmental outcomes before, during and after the Games.
Our group toured the Victoria Park precinct, where planning is focusing on public and green spaces, connectivity and seamless experiences while developing a world-class National Aquatic Centre at the Spring Hill Centenary Pool site, the Brisbane Athletes Village at the Brisbane Showgrounds and an Olympic stadium.
The Deloitte report Going for Gold notes the diverse Olympics benefits anticipated, including volunteering and health benefits, tourism, investment and a lift in brand value. “Brisbane, Queensland, and Australia are transforming, underscored by population change, an expanding urban footprint, and closer ties with the Asia Pacific. On this journey, a potential $70 billion economic opportunity awaits if we seize the moment to lift our ambitions – and our trajectory”, the report says.
We should remember that the Olympics juggernaut is not just about Brisbane; it’s about Australia, and Perth will undoubtedly experience many flow-on benefits that we should be getting excited about. Of course, there is always a flipside, and it’s clear that Olympics preparation is going to draw tradespeople and professionals away from Western Australia, making a compelling case for skills and training development in Perth, at pace. The competition is on.
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While Brisbane’s main Games stadium is currently a patch of grassy parkland, what will emerge will be a venue that takes much of its inspiration from our very own Perth Stadium – something of which we should all be proud. You can see an artist impression of the new stadium in the Queensland Government’s 2032 Delivery (Tennis Stadium and Arena).
The pipeline of major sporting events in Perth in coming years is exciting; the Rugby World Cup (2027), World Masters Games (2029) and Gay Games (2030) are just some of the big-ticket events heading our way. What sort of legacy do we want these events to leave?
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Until next month! Tania Hudson Chief Executive Officer Committee for Perth |
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We are now in Djeran season. Characterised by cooler nights, dewy mornings, lighter breezes, red/green gums and banksias.
Artwork: 'Seasons' by Renee Clifton |
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Our top picks of culture, creativity and community events happening across the Perth region this month, celebrating what makes our city uniquely Perth. |
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Beyond The Ballot Box — The Democracy Of Doing |
A new report, ‘Beyond the Ballot Box: The Democracy of Doing’, by Town Team Movement explores a shift in how communities participate in city-making. At its core is a simple idea: people don’t just want to be heard, they want to be involved in shaping the places they live in.
Perth’s Town Team Movement is counteracting a ‘Consumer Story’ trend, that can condition us to outsource responsibility — expecting government or institutions to fix problems, rather than stepping in ourselves. Over time, this creates a cycle: less community participation leads to more top-down control, which further reduces local confidence and initiative.
‘The Democracy of Doing’ promotes the idea that democracy is based on a person’s relationship to the society around them, not just their relationship to governments and institutions: 'Democracy should be able to be lived every day, rather than being confined to the ballot box. It moves beyond political representation and well-meaning consultation to co-production and collaborative action, where citizens and civil society groups are active participants in the planning, design, delivery, and management of their communities. To be effective, it relies on two essential ingredients: relationships and trust.’
This thinking has since influenced initiatives like the Streets Alive program, enabling communities to test and deliver local improvements — from pop-up activations to greening projects and reimagined public spaces.
The report highlights that this kind of 'doing' not only improves places, but also builds connection, local leadership and a stronger sense of shared ownership.
To foster this idea more, Town Team Movement have announced a 'Festival of Doing' on 7 and 8 May, hosted in local venues and places throughout Bentley and St James.
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151m Boardings - Transperth Hits Record Highs |
Public transport use in Perth is on the rise, with Transperth recording more than 151m boardings throughout 2025 — the highest in its history.
This milestone reflects a strong rebound in passenger numbers, signalling growing confidence in the network and a shift towards public transport as a preferred way to move around the city.
According to the WA Government, increased patronage has been driven by a combination of factors, including population growth, $2.80 fares, contactless payment options, expanded services and major infrastructure investments such as the METRONET program, which continues to reshape how Perth connects. As cost-of-living pressures rise — particularly fuel prices — public transport use is expected to continue growing.
It is a trend where public transport plays an increasingly central role in supporting access to jobs, education and services, while helping to reduce congestion on the roads. |
| Let's Grow Grants Put Greening Into Local Hands |
Following our introduction to the Let’s Grow Action Plan in the last edition, the next phase is now underway, with total grants of $10m available to schools and community groups across Perth and Peel for the next four years.
Delivered by the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage, the grants support local projects that increase tree canopy and enhance green spaces, from schoolyard planting to community-led greening initiatives.
Part of the broader Urban Greening Strategy, Let’s Grow focuses on practical, on-the-ground delivery, recognising that achieving a cooler, more liveable city requires action at every level. It also is a great reflection of the principles of the 'Democracy of Doing' by enabling communities to take part in shaping their own neighbourhoods.
If you’re part of a school, community group or local organisation, now is the time to get involved — explore the Let’s Grow grants and help shape a greener Perth from the ground up. |
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More Inclusivity For People With Disabilities |
Inclusive leadership doesn’t start at the top, it’s shaped by who gets a seat at the table, and who is given a pathway to get there.
Good Sammy is taking a meaningful step in this direction with the launch of its Board Observership Program, a practical initiative designed to create pathways into governance for people with disability. The 12-month pilot program is a hands-on approach to building boardroom readiness and a natural extension of Good Sammy’s purpose to create inclusive employment opportunities.
As Board Chair Fiona Payne notes, programs like this remain rare in Western Australia. By opening up pathways, Good Sammy is not only supporting future directors but also strengthening decision-making today. Over time, the organisation aims to expand the model and partner with others, helping to embed more inclusive governance practices across sectors. |
| Will Hydrofoil Ferries Commute On The Swan River? |
As part of the METRONET on Swan Ferry Expansion, the State Government has committed $107 million to revitalise ferry services along the Swan River — positioning it as a more active part of the city’s public transport network, not just a scenic asset. With plans for new electric ferries and proposed terminals at Matilda Bay and Applecross, the project marks the largest expansion of Perth’s ferry network to date.
At the same time, a new generation of ferry technology is beginning to gain attention locally. Recent reports in Marine Business News suggest that fast, electric hydrofoiling vessels developed by NZ start-up Vessev, are being explored for potential use on the Swan River. While this “flying ferry” technology is not officially confirmed as a part of the METRONET project, they could further strengthen the role of the Swan River as a fast, clean and connected urban corridor. Read More or Watch On YouTube
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Perth Design Week — Designing The Future |
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Held from 19 to 26 March, Perth Design Week 2026 brought together designers, policymakers, artists and industry leaders to explore a shared question: what kind of city – and identity – do we want to create?
Across a series of events – including the official launch, a deep dive into apartment living and a powerful conversation on cultural spaces – a clear theme emerged: Perth is at an inflection point. The choices we make now about design, density, culture and sustainability will shape not just our built environment, but who we are as a community. Members from the Committee for Perth team were delighted to attend a number of events throughout the week and share their learnings below. |
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We brought together leaders from across sectors for our first Member Sundowner of 2026, and one thing was clear: there is strong, shared momentum to shape Perth’s future with intention. Committee for Perth is powered by its members, a collaborative, future‑focused community of leaders who care deeply about Perth and are committed to working together for the long term.
Our guest speaker, Nicole Lockwood, Chairperson Infrastructure WA, spoke about the importance of leadership, intention and collaboration in a world that is moving faster and becoming more unpredictable than the systems we rely on.
Thank you to Dr Richard Walley OAM for a powerful Welcome to Country, and to Hawaiian for hosting us so generously. |
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THE CHAIR'S 20 WITH EMMA COLE |
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We were delighted to welcome Emma Cole, Chairperson of the Western Australian Planning Commission, as our guest speaker for Committee for Perth’s Chair’s 20.
Emma shared valuable insights into the Commission’s current priorities and the significant reform and streamlining work underway to support Perth’s growth. As the State’s key statutory planning body, the WAPC plays a central role in shaping land use, development and long-term planning, and Emma offered a clear and thoughtful perspective on key challenges and opportunities, including housing supply, infrastructure coordination and how we can achieve ‘density with identity’. It was encouraging to hear reflections on the strong alignment between the Commission’s work and the priorities of Committee for Perth and its members.
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EXECUTIVE WOMENS LEADERSHIP FORUM WITH JESSICA STOJKOVSKI |
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Sometimes leadership begins with campaigning for girls to wear school shorts. Sometimes with a footpath that you only realise is missing when you're pushing a pram. Sometimes it begins with an election you were told you couldn’t win. But it always continues with courage. We were delighted to welcome Minister Jessica Stojkovski to Committee for Perth's Executive Women’s Leadership Forum, where she shared her leadership journey from advocating for change as a young girl, to navigating early motherhood, and ultimately to serving in the Cook Labor Cabinet as the youngest woman at the table. Drawing on her experiences in both parliament and family life, she spoke about the importance of support, collaboration and using your voice early and often to drive meaningful change. A huge thank you to Robyn Ferguson and the team at HopgoodGanim for their continued support of the EWLF event series for the fourth-year running. |
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| GOLD LEADERS DINNER
Melting House, The Perth Mint Thursday, 23 April / 5.30pm to 8pm
Gold Members, by Invite-only |
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| DR CATHERINE STODDART PSM HopgoodGanim Lawyers
Wednesday, 6 May / 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Member-only event / Enquire
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Our member community is passionate about making Perth one of the world’s most liveable cities. Every month, we celebrate members who are helping make that vision a reality. Have news to share? Email us.
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The Royal Flying Doctor Service Delivers 4b To WA |
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The Royal Flying Doctor Service has quantified its long-term value, with new modelling estimating a $4.1 billion social value for Western Australians over the next 30 years.
The analysis, undertaken by Deloitte Access Economics (DAE), also finds that for every dollar invested in RFDS, around two dollars is returned in value to the community. The RFDS was critical to providing essential health care for more than 20,000 people living and working in regional Western Australia each year. The RFDS responded to its largest ever number of patient retrievals in 2025, amounting to an average of 29 calls for assistance per day (10,578 for the year).
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With thanks to all our members for their ongoing contribution to promoting innovation and creativity to deliver a brighter future for Perth. View all of our members. |
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Fremantle Chamber of Commerce Marketforce |
| Perth Inner City Group Perth South West Metropolitan Alliance |
| Piper Alderman Squire Patton Boggs |
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Committee for Perth conducts its work on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar. We recognise their peoples' ongoing connection to land, culture and community and in doing so, pay our respects to Elders past and present. |
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