Plans to transform Perth into a more liveable and vibrant international city have been outlined in the State Government’s draft Capital City Planning Framework.

The framework highlighted three main capital city precincts:

  • Parliament and Kings Park
  • The Perth Cultural Centre and Forrest Place precinct
  • The Perth Waterfront and civic precinct.

Planning Minister John Day said integration of Perth's city centre and surrounding inner urban areas was important to enable the State capital to thrive and capitalise on its natural strengths.

“Central Perth is progressively developing as a truly international city, and the Capital City Framework allows for growth and development while at the same time maintaining and building upon Perth’s existing identity and sense of place,” Day said.

“In the past, the city has primarily been seen as a business-focused centre, but we need to move on from that way of thinking and embrace the idea that our city should be enjoyed for a wide range of purposes - including various forms of living, working and recreation.”

Day said the three precinct areas focused on are the primary venues of State and culture, for use by both residents and visitors, and “the careful design of these precincts and their integration with other elements of the city is critical to the design of Perth in the next two decades”.

“A vibrant capital city embraces growth and change, and this cohesive vision for Perth will amplify our sense of place and make our capital more internationally competitive and relevant.

“Western Australia is already highly connected to the rest of the world, particularly through our resources industry, and we need to capitalise on the impending period of economic growth to establish Perth as a truly international city.”

The State Government says the Capital City Planning Framework is consistent with its vision for the entire metropolitan area and Peel regions, as outlined in ‘Directions 2031 and Beyond’ and the associated draft Central Metropolitan Perth Sub-regional Strategies.

The Minister urged anyone with an interest in the future of the city to submit their comments on the draft framework, which is available on the Department of Planning’s website - http://www.planning.wa.gov.au The public comment period will close on Monday, September 19.

Image: Simon Westlake's image of the City of Perth in transition.