TDP Experience Perth - Tourism Western Australia

Amenities
While blessed with significant natural assets and an extensive range of visitor
amenities, the Perth region is seen to be lacking in terms of its offering as a major
capital city. Many stakeholders are concerned that Perth appears to be ‘stuck’ as
a small gateway with a regional town mentality, and comment that the region
needs to move to being an internationally renowned destination in its own
right. In achieving this goal, there is seen to be the need to increase the vibrancy
and atmosphere of the Perth CBD area, particularly at night time and on the
weekends after the central business district (CBD) closes down. In addition, it has
been identified that as Perth has grown as a city, it has sprawled, and from a tourism
perspective the key nodes of attraction and activity are disparate with limited
connectivity.
“Perth needs places that have atmosphere and are lively!”
(Regular Experience Perth visitor)
Critical to increasing the vibrancy of the destination is the need to obtain a
‘critical mass’ of local residents congregating at key locations within the city area.
While the recent advent of small bars entering the city is seen to be a step in the
right direction, many feel that more needs to be done in this area. As such, the
development of multi-use precincts that both provide for both short stay and
residential accommodation and stimulate investment in restaurants, cafes, retail
attractions and other entertainment options is seen as the way forward.
Of primary importance in this area is the planned Perth Waterfront Development
in the space between the Swan River and Perth CBD. This waterfront land is felt to
be a major but underutilised tourism asset that has the potential to be developed
into Perth’s premier tourism precinct. The securing of additional accommodation
stock along with the development of an Indigenous Centre of Culture and Art
are seen as tourism priorities in this significant development.
“Our priority should be establishing a vibrant place at the
river’s edge, with restaurants, promenades and street art.”
(Statewide stakeholder)
The planned development of the Northbridge Link, connecting the Perth CBD
area to the adjacent Northbridge entertainment precinct through the sinking of
the existing railway line, is also considered a significant opportunity for precinct
development. This project will free up land for accommodation and amenity
development as well as providing improved access to the Perth Cultural Centre,
another precinct development linking venues such as the Art Gallery of Western
Australia, State Library of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum and State
Theatre Centre.
Other precinct developments in the area, including the Burswood Peninsula
redevelopment, Riverside redevelopment in East Perth and the China Green
redevelopment in Subiaco all provide opportunities for the establishment of
additional accommodation stock and investment in tourism related amenities.
In addition to developing tourism precincts, there is also seen to be a significant
need to develop key arts and sports related infrastructure in the region. Perth
currently hosts a range of sporting and arts related events that have the potential
to attract interstate and international visitation. However, the lack of capacity at
Subiaco Oval often limits the ability of visitors to get tickets to big sporting events,
while the lack of a suitable indoor arena and outdated theatre facilities are also
significant issues. In addressing this need, the State Government has financed
the development of a new State Theatre Centre and new indoor arena in the
Northbridge area.
Experience Perth
Tourism Western Australia | Tourism Development Priorities
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