We are now in the Year of the Fire Horse in the Lunar calendar, a highly appropriate time for Committee for Perth. This cycle rewards fearless courage, energy, strength and perseverance, with the horse being a symbol of spirited forward movement.
Here at Committee for Perth, we are galloping ahead with our plans to champion a greater, Greater Perth. My discussions with members and other key stakeholders over the past two months have illuminated the enthusiasm of many to chart a course for Perth’s future that will see us truly become one of the world’s most desirable places in which to live, work, invest, study and visit. |
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As someone born in the Year of the Monkey, I’m highly energised by this ambition and our work towards Perth 2050. Apparently, those born in Monkey Years are curious and brave, and I love the definition sent to me by a colleague: 'The Monkey approaches life as a puzzle to be solved, a game to be won, and an adventure to be enjoyed — all at the same time.'
At Committee for Perth, we believe that we will need diverse voices around the table to solve the puzzles, win the games and have the adventures that we know lie ahead for our beautiful city. We are proud of a membership base that includes organisations small and large, across 43 sectors. We have been delighted to welcome Good Sammy to the Committee for Perth family as our most recent member.
We know that there is a lot of excellent work and planning being done in various sectors and within organisations, state and local governments to enhance Perth’s global competitiveness. At Committee for Perth, collaboration and connection drive us and we aim to work alongside others to ensure our efforts complement rather than duplicate, and are aligned towards shared goals. This issue of Perth Update highlights just some of the transformative work under way in Greater Perth, and we are proud to be a part of it.
We’re all in this together, and together, we can keep building a place where people don’t just pass through, but choose to build their lives. |
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Until next month! Tania Hudson Chief Executive Officer Committee for Perth |
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March falls under the Bunuru season. Known as the "second summer" or season of adolescence. It's also the hottest time of the year. |
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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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Big Ideas For Perth's City Centre |
A new report presented to the City of Perth in February — Shaping Perth City Centre - Towards 2036 and Beyond — outlines bold concepts to revitalise the CBD, from pedestrian-priority streets and a contemporary market hall to renewed discussion around light rail and even a cable-car link to Kings Park.
The work has been developed by global urban design agency Gehl, continuing a collaboration that stretches back to the 1990s and has influenced projects such as Cathedral Square and Elizabeth Quay. The latest report forms part of the City’s broader Towards 2036 planning process, offering both a progress “report card” and a future vision.
The report now informs the updated Perth Capital City Plan - Towards 2036 And Beyond. Community members can provide feedback via an online survey until 15 March, and workshops are being held throughout March.
Whether and when all ideas eventuate or not, the report sparks a bold and inspiring conversation, one that recognises that future-proofing a capital city requires time, intent and ambition. More |
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Destination Perth launches 2026 Markets Engagement Prospectus |
Destination Perth has released its 2026 International Markets Engagement Prospectus, a new initiative to help the Perth area connect with key overseas markets and grow its global profile.
Designed to support local tourism and visitor-economy businesses, the prospectus outlines how Perth and surrounds will be promoted in priority international markets in 2026 — including trade engagement, networking opportunities and collaborative campaigns backed by partners such as Austrade and Perth Airport.
Across the program, both established operators and those new to export-ready markets are given an accessible, industry-led pathway to build meaningful exposure, profile and connections overseas — helping attract visitors and investment to the region. For anyone who is looking to grow their business globally or simply wants to watch Perth’s international reach expand, this prospectus sets out an encouraging strategy for engagement in 2026 and beyond. |
| Let's Grow: From Strategy To Street Trees |
You may have read about WA’s Urban Greening Strategy — the big-picture plan to boost canopy cover and cool our suburbs. Now comes the delivery. The Let’s Grow Action Plan is the new program launched by the Government of WA, designed to turn ambition into action across Perth and Peel. It’s the practical arm of the Strategy, bringing together grants, incentives and partnerships to accelerate tree planting in streets, parks, schools and new developments.
The focus? Making greening easier to deliver and ensuring trees are treated as essential infrastructure, not a nice-to-have. The targets are clear and measurable. The State has committed to increasing urban tree canopy to 30 per cent by 2040 across Perth and Peel, alongside a goal of planting one million trees by 2035. They are bold numbers — but also necessary ones. As our city grows and densifies, trees are not simply aesthetic additions; they are cooling systems, habitat corridors and public-health infrastructure. |
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All Saints' College's Water Classroom |
At All Saints' College, students are learning about water not just from textbooks, but within a purpose-built outdoor classroom set alongside a natural living water system right behind the college.
The space allows students to explore the science of the water cycle, stormwater and sustainability in a real-world context, while also recognising the cultural and ecological significance of the site. Beyond curriculum outcomes, the setting also supports wellbeing as access to nature and hands-on learning environments has been shown to improve focus, reduce stress and strengthen engagement.
This initiative goes hand in hand with the State’s updated water planning policy. Water literacy doesn’t only sit in planning frameworks, it starts with education, place and the next generation.
The College is now inviting collaboration from professionals working in environmental science, water management, design, First Nations knowledge, data analytics and community innovation — seeking to co-design learning experiences that connect industry expertise with student curiosity and purpose. Learn More
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Old ECU Campus Set For Transformation |
The State Government has released the master plan for the former Edith Cowan University Mount Lawley campus, setting a long-term vision to transform the 18-hectare site into a connected, walkable and sustainable urban community just five kilometres from Perth’s CBD.
The plan proposes up to about 1,100 homes alongside generous public open space and green corridors that link to nearby parks and prioritise pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.
A standout feature is the retention and reuse of the former WA Academy of Performing Arts, library and admin buildings as a Creative Industries Hub, offering performance, rehearsal, production and workspace for artists and creative businesses, along with land identified for a new urban primary school.
Shaped through extensive community consultation, the master plan aims to balance housing supply, cultural legacy and green space in a precinct that honours Mount Lawley’s character while adding new local amenities and places to live, work and learn close to jobs, transport and cultural infrastructure. Implementation is expected to unfold over the next decade as detailed planning and approvals progress.
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WE ARE WELCOMING ROB COLE AS OUR CHAIR |
| We are welcoming Rob Cole as a Board member and new Chair of Committee for Perth.
Tony Joyner, who has served as Chair since late 2021 and last year announced his intention to step aside, said Rob would bring to the role enormous experience and a deep understanding of Perth’s opportunities and challenges.
Rob is the current Chair of Perth Airport Pty Ltd and rejoins the Committee for Perth Board after a decade away from the organisation, having made a valuable contribution as a Board member between 2011 and 2015. Pictured (l-r) Tony Joyner, Rob Cole, Tania Hudson and Paul Graham |
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2050 COMMISSION ANNOUNCED |
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Committee for Perth welcomes the formation of the 2050 Commission to guide long-term planning for WA. With population growth, economic diversification, decarbonisation and infrastructure all on the agenda, the Commission will help shape a resilient and prosperous state. Long-term, integrated thinking has been at the heart of our own work, and we see this as an important step in aligning strategy, infrastructure and liveability outcomes for the decades ahead. We are keen to contribute insights from our members and research as the work progresses. We’re also pleased that Nicole Lockwood, Chair of Infrastructure WA, will speak at our members-only event on 11 March.
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LEADING THE WAY IN WATER SENSIBILITY |
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With declining rainfall, climate pressures and a growing population, water security remains central to Perth’s future. We joined representatives from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, Urbaqua and Water Corporation for the re-benchmarking of the Greater Perth Water Sensitive Cities Index — a tool measuring urban water performance at city scale. Greater Perth was the first city to trial the Index in 2016. By 2021, it had shifted from trailing other capitals to becoming a leading water sensitive city.
Minister for Water Hon Don Punch MLA reinforced the importance of collaboration, and congratulations to David MacLennan, CEO of City of Vincent, on his appointment as Chair of Perth’s Water Sensitive Transition Network.
With members across 43 sectors, we’re proud to be part of this cross-sector effort to build a resilient, water-secure Perth. Shelley Shepherd from Urbaqua facilitated the workshop. |
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EVERY PERSON COUNTS IN BCEC'S REPORT |
| We recently attended the launch of the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre’s (BCEC) latest report, 'Every Person Counts: Planning for Western Australia’s Future Population.'
The research projects Western Australia’s population will reach 3.5 million by 2033, with migration highly responsive to iron ore prices, mining investment and labour demand. Greater Perth remains home to 80.6 per cent of the state’s population, growing at 2.4 per cent per year — double the rate of regional WA. The key message? Growth guided by foresight creates prosperity. Population growth follows opportunity, infrastructure and liveability — and where jobs, housing and essential services expand together, growth is stronger and more sustainable. Congratulations to the BCEC team, led by Professor Alan Duncan, on an important contribution to the conversation about WA’s future. |
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| MEMBER SUNDOWNER
Guest Speaker: Nicole Lockwood, Chair of Infrastructure WA Parmelia House Lobby Wednesday, 11 March / 5pm to 7pm
Member-only event / Enquire
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| HON. JESSICA STOJKOVSKI HopgoodGanim Lawyers
Thursday, 26 March / 5.00pm to 7.00pm
Member-only event / Enquire to be waitlisted
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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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WARRRL's CONTAINERS FOR CHANGE |
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WARRRL have been keeping beverage containers out of general waste since 2020 via 'Containers For Change'. Their recent milestone of 5 billion recycled containers shows that it all counts up if we work together. And their list of achievements doesn’t stop here:
- Over $500 million in refunds
- 419,040 tonnes diverted from general waste
- Nearly $20 million in donations
And yet, each year, 590 million containers still end up in general waste, mostly when people are outside their home. Do you have a home and workplace collection station yet? |
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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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ATCO
Bridge42
Burswood Park Board
City of Joondalup |
| Development WA
GHD
HopgoodGanim
Keystart |
| Kwinana Industries Council
Perth Festival
PWC
UWA
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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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