What is the city but the people? (Shakespeare, Coriolanus)
Kaya,
The real measure of a city is not just how it looks, but how it works and feels for the people who call it home. The concept of liveability can seem amorphous and indistinct; in danger of becoming a catch-all term that’s broadly used in different contexts – like sustainability or resilience. |
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But at its heart it’s simple: liveabiity is about people’s wellbeing. It’s about how comfortable, safe, healthy and accessible a city is for its residents. Do people have capacity and opportunity? Are they able to add value, and be valued?
Liveability counts; how a city supports everyday human life has a direct impact on its success. Cities with high liveability attract and retain residents, invite students, businesses, skilled workers and tourists, stimulate investment, underpin public health and wellbeing and foster social stability.
Liveability indices exist in order to try to quantify quality of life using various methodologies, metrics and categories. Recently Perth made it into the top 20 in the annual Quality of Life survey produced by global affairs publication, Monocle. Last year we ranked 15th in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index, and 31st in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index. Good, good … but let’s do better.
Wealth disparity and cost of living are two of the factors keeping us out of the top 10 most liveable cities in the world. It is also no secret that housing is a major social and economic challenge throughout Western Australia and certainly in Perth. A city isn’t liveable unless there is somewhere for everyone to live.
I’m an optimist, and I believe that the grit and vision of leaders from across the public, private and non-profit sectors will slowly but surely address the problem. Recently Committee for Perth hosted the Hon. John Carey MLA, Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure, whose passion to facilitate greater housing diversity and choice, including social and affordable housing, is strong.
Meanwhile, many organisations are working hard on the ground to support Western Australians through tough times. Sadly, our state has the highest rate (per capita) of sleeping rough among people experiencing homelessness in Australia, and rough sleeping in WA has increased 114% over the past decade. More than half of the 10,000 Western Australians experiencing homelessness are in the Perth area.
With these alarming statistics in mind, I recently participated in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, when more than 100 CEOs slept on cardboard on a freezing night at the Perth Zoo (no mats allowed) and collectively raised a record $1.1 million+ in support of programs targeted at addressing and reducing homelessness. The generosity of many, including our Committee for Perth members, was greatly appreciated.
Still on the liveability theme, it was inspiring to see the visionary work of Gehl and City of Perth in shaping the city centre, through the ‘Towards 2036 and Beyond’ study. Danish architect and urban designer Jan Gehl first visited Perth in 1993 and carried out the city’s first Public Space Public life study, and returned in 2009 to assess progress. The most recent study identifies a number of big priorities for action that will influence Perth’s liveability and international reputation. Jan Gehl’s oft-stated philosophy is ‘first life, then spaces, then buildings. The other way around never works’.
That's the city I want Committee for Perth to keep championing: a vibrant and inclusive home for everyone, where residents and visitors feel at home.
‘The purpose of a city is that people should be able to make a full life and be safe … and it should be a nice place to be an old person. Leave no one behind.’ (Jan Gehl) |
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| Until next month! Tania Hudson Chief Executive Officer Committee for Perth |
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Makuru, the Noongar season of fertility and the coldest and wettest time of the year. Painting excerpt by Marcia Alice |
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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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8 July | The Future of Connection Webinar – This session, presented by GHD, brings together leaders from industry to examine what effective collaboration looks like in practice. Through a combination of insights, panel discussion and real-world examples, presenters will examine how trust, empathy and shared purpose - supported by AI-enabled capabilities - can accelerate delivery, strengthen partnerships and unlock better outcomes in complex environments. Register Hereii
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10 July – 30 August | Unwavering at FORM Gallery – a major exhibition curated by Yolngu artist and printmaker Ruby Djikarra Alderton. Fourteen artists from Spinifex Hill Studio in South Hedland bring together their work to Perth. More Info
- 28 July | Politics & Business breakfast with Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash – Business News presents an engaging discussion with the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
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5 July – 12 July | NAIDOC Week – Celebrating and recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. Find NAIDOC Week events
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13 July – 24 July | Artist in Residence | The Walleys | MAKURU – For 2 weeks, Richard and Rickeeta Walley will create an “open studio” in the State Buildings where we will witness the creation of a cross-generational artwork celebrating the essence of Noongar Boodjar Country, this precious, bold and beautiful Western Australia, while yarning sessions, storytelling, weaving workshops and song will be shared as part of the public programming. Learn more
- 30 July | Bots & Bevs –
Australian Automation and Robotics Precinct's (AARP) July edition of Bots & Bevs introduces Eacon Mining as they present the world' s most deployed autonomous haulage system. EACON delivers 360º perception and real-time optimised dispatch for scalable, mixed-fleet operations that enhance safety, boost performance and accelerate the path to net zero. Register Here
- Fridays in July | Artist In Residence, Amanda Hart – Go behind the scenes and watch Whadjuk Artist in residence Amanda Hart, as she works on her latest projects at the Walyalup Aboriginial Cultural Centre, Fremantle. More Info
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New Trails WA App Makes Exploring The State Easier |
Western Australians now have a new way to discover the state's vast trail network, with the launch of the free Trails WA app.
Thanks to grants from Lotterywest and the WA Government, the app brings together more than 1,100 official trails, allowing users to access trusted maps, GPS navigation, offline downloads and real-time trail information from a single platform. It caters to walkers, hikers, cyclists, paddlers and trail runners, making it easier to explore everything from local nature walks to remote regional adventures.
With a new focus on storytelling as well as navigation, the app brings something truly unique. Many trails include information about Aboriginal culture and connection to Country, local history, geology, flora and fauna, helping users gain a deeper understanding of the places they visit.
And with more than 60% of WA’s trails located in regional areas, the platform is also expected to support tourism by encouraging visitors to explore regional communities and spend more time in local destinations. Tourism in Western Australia almost always begins and ends in Perth, meaning the app also strengthens the connection between the city and the state’s broader outdoor experience.
The launch also comes ahead of Perth hosting the World Trails Conference in October, bringing all major global trail planners and tourism leaders to the city. As outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity, the new app and conference further reinforce Perth’s role as the gateway to Western Australia’s globally unique outdoor and nature-based tourism experience, connecting urban life with natural landscapes.
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Henderson's Workforce Challenge |
Greater Perth is set to play a central role in Australia's next generation naval fleet, but the biggest challenge may not be building the ships themselves. According to a recent Business News article, under a major defence agreement with Japan, the first three Mogami-class frigates will be built overseas before construction shifts to Henderson.
While billions of dollars have been committed to the program and the technology transfer is expected to be comprehensive, success will depend on whether we can develop the skilled workforce needed to build and sustain these highly sophisticated warships.
The opportunity is significant and Henderson is expected to become a cornerstone of Australia's sovereign defence manufacturing capability. However, shipbuilders will be competing with Perth's resources sector for welders, fabricators, engineers and electricians, trades already in short supply across the state. In response, governments are investing heavily in training pathways, apprenticeships and fee-free TAFE courses aimed at growing the local talent pipeline.
The project also highlights the growing strategic relationship with Japan. With Japanese companies holding major investments across WA's mining and energy sectors, both nations have a strong interest in strengthening regional security and industrial resilience. Read More |
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The University of WA Places 77 In Global Ranking |
The University of Western Australia has secured 77th place in the latest QS World University Rankings, maintaining its position among the world's top 1,504 universities and reinforcing Perth's growing reputation as a global education and research hub.
The QS rankings assess universities across a range of measures including academic reputation (30%), research impact (20%), employer reputation (15%), international collaboration and graduate outcomes. With reputation remaining the largest component, it highlights the importance of global recognition alongside research performance.
While rankings are often viewed through an academic lens, they have broader economic implications. Strong international rankings help attract students, researchers, investment and industry partnerships, all of which contribute to Western Australia's knowledge economy. UWA continues to perform strongly in fields aligned with the state's strengths, including mining, agriculture, marine science and health research. Its continued presence in the global top 100 provides Perth with a valuable competitive advantage as WA seeks to grow advanced industries, innovation and international engagement. UWA's ranking is more than a university achievement, it is another indicator of Perth's increasing prominence on the global stage. Read More |
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Fremantle Secures West Tech Fest |
The City of Fremantle has secured a three-year deal to host West Tech Fest, Australia's longest-running technology and innovation festival, from 2026 to 2028. The event attracts thousands of founders, investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders from Australia and overseas, creating a valuable platform for local startups to connect with global capital and opportunities. As cities compete to attract talent, investment and high-growth businesses, West Tech Fest helps showcase the Greater Perth Region as an emerging innovation hub and strengthens its reputation on the global technology stage. The new partnership is expected to bring increased economic activity to Fremantle while reinforcing Perth's growing role in the Asia-Pacific startup ecosystem. Read More
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The next phase of community battery rollout |
Construction has begun on 18 new community batteries across Perth and Bunbury, marking the next stage of WA’s push toward a more distributed energy grid.
The batteries will be installed across 13 Perth suburbs and five regional locations, targeting areas with high rooftop solar use and local network demand. Once operational by around 2027, they will store excess daytime solar energy and feed it back into the grid during peak evening demand. Each metropolitan battery is expected to support around 130–150 homes, stabilising electricity prices and improve grid stability.
The rollout reflects a broader shift toward neighbourhood-scale energy systems, designed to improve reliability while making better use of WA’s high uptake of rooftop solar. This project makes Perth one of the world’s leading testbeds for distributed renewable energy infrastructure as it is one of the more advanced real-world deployments at scale. Read More |
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Our CEO, Tania Hudson, is known to talk about her dogs almost as much as championing Perth's ambition. So, we're leaning in.
We're putting together the Committee for Perth Pet Calendar 2027 and want your four-legged family members in it. Send us your best shot for a chance to feature in this year's publication. Bonus points for photos showing off Perth’s best angles!
📸 Submit your photo by 1 November to enquiries@committeeforperth.com.au
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Member Spotlight Experience: The Royal Flying Doctor Service WA |
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Our recent visit at the RFDS WA gave our members insight into the organisation's critical role in delivering healthcare across Western Australia's vast remote regions. The organisation is continuing to expand its capabilities to meet growing demand and ensure essential services remain accessible across the state.
The group also heard from City of Cockburn CEO Daniel Simms, who shared updates on major projects and investment helping transform the region into one of Perth's fastest-growing economic centres. We are so proud to have organisations like RFDS WA and the City of Cockburn as part of our member community. A heartfelt thank you to Judith Barker ASM and the RFDS WA team for opening their hangar doors and sharing their world with us. |
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Chair's 20: An Update from Minister John Carey |
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Committee for Perth's second Chair's 20 event of the year brought together senior leaders from our Gold and Silver member organisations to discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping Perth's future. Minister John Carey MLA described Perth as a "land of opportunity" with a strong and growing economy, underpinned by consistent population growth and significant investment.
The discussion explored innovative approaches to increasing housing supply, including modular and prefabricated construction, alongside government initiatives aimed at addressing workforce and skills shortages.
With thanks to our host Squire Patton Boggs and Managing Partner Tony Chong for the fabulous venue. |
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT EXPERIENCE: PAWSEY SUPERCOMPUTING CENTRE Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre Wednesday, 8 July / 7.00am to 9.30am
Member-only event / Last spots left! Register your interest
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NEW HORIZONS WEBINAR: COMMITTEE FOR CAPITAL CITIES / BRISBANE 2032 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES BRIEFING
Tuesday, 14 July / 9.00am to 10.00am
Open to all employees of Committee for Perth member organisations / Register via Teams
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OPPOSITION'S ADDRESS 2026 QV1 Tuesday, 25 August / 7.30am to 9.00am
Member-only event / Express Your Interest
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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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| Thank You, Lorna
After more than a decade of dedicated leadership, Lorna MacGregor is stepping down as Chief Executive Officer of Lifeline WA at the end of June.
Since joining Lifeline WA in 2016, Lorna has led the organisation through a period of significant growth and impact, helping to strengthen crisis support, suicide prevention services and community wellbeing initiatives across Western Australia.
Lifeline WA's work touches the lives of thousands of Western Australians every year, and Lorna's contribution to that impact cannot be overstated. Her legacy will continue to be felt through the many lives supported by Lifeline WA and the strong foundation she leaves for the organisation's future. We welcome Sarah Fordham as the new CEO and look forward to continuing our great partnership. |
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| Respect for Noongar Cultural Protocols and Practices
The City of Canning has launched a guidance document to help build understanding and respect for Noongar cultural protocols and practices. Believed to be the first document of its kind produced by a local government, the guide was developed with cultural guidance from Noongar Elders and the City's First Nations Advisory Panel. It provides practical advice on engaging with Elders and Traditional Custodians, participating in cultural ceremonies and understanding important customs and traditions. Released during National Reconciliation Week, the initiative reflects the City's commitment to fostering cultural understanding and meaningful reconciliation. Read More
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Milestone For Water Corporation
Construction of the pipeline linking the future Alkimos Seawater Desalination Plant to Perth's water network has reached its halfway point, with more than 17 kilometres of the planned 33.5-kilometre route now installed. The pipeline will connect the $2.8 billion desalination plant to the Integrated Water Supply Scheme, helping secure long-term water supplies for Perth as population growth and climate pressures increase demand.
Once operational, the Alkimos plant is expected to produce 50 billion litres of drinking water annually, becoming Western Australia's third desalination facility. Pipeline construction is due to be completed next year. Read More |
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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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Curtin University of Technology
Deloitte
Hawaiian
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| IFM Investors
Jackson McDonald
Screenwest |
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South Metropolitan TAFE Wesley College |
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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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