The Committee for Perth has already celebrated a number of achievements in the development of Perth and as an organisation, whilst also laying foundations and milestones for future growth and success.
The Committee for Perth has been responsible for driving a number of key issues that are critical to the development of the Perth metropolitan area in line with our vision. These include papers, submissions and events focusing on the following areas:
- Retail Trading Hours - Following an earlier publication Retail Trading Hours in Western Australia – A Case for Reform developed jointly with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of WA and the Committee for Perth provided an in depth examination of all current and future economic implications of the deregulation, or otherwise, of retail trading hours, we continued to lobby on this issue. We joined again with CCIWA to produce a hugely successful viral marketing campaign Choice at the Checkout.
- Celebrating Indigenous Culture - The Committee for Perth, through consultant Dr Richard Walley, OAM has been in dialogue with the Noongar nation about ways to acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous culture across Perth. Significant inroads of cooperation have been made and the Committee has produced a Welcome to Country Guide as well as our Reconciliation Action Plan Statement of Commitment, with the completed plan due for publication before the end of 2010.
- World Centre for Indigenous Culture – Following the Cultural Compact recommendation that such a centre be developed on a central, prime site on the Swan River, the Government announced in 2009 that the Perth Waterfront Development would include a major civic building specifically to celebrate Aboriginal arts and culture. Combining research undertaken on our behalf by Dr Richard Walley, Curtin University of Technology and independent researchers, we then produced an extensive report entitled World Centre for Indigenous Culture and Cultural Experience Centres with the aim of assisting in the developing the form and content of such a civic building.
- Waterfront Project – Committee for Perth prepared a submission to LandCorp on the proposed Perth Waterfront project following a detailed member survey and remains committed to the development of a lively world-class waterfront.
- Revitalising of Public Spaces – In order stimulate and provide expert opinion on the debate regarding development of public spaces, the Committee for Perth part funded a visit to Perth by Fred Kent of New York based Project for Public Spaces. As a result of the visit Fred was been appointed as the lead consultant on the review of the Perth Cultural Centre, a pre-election promise of the Liberal party.
- Tourism - The Committee for Perth was invited to make a submission to Tourism WA outlining our position on the key tourism issues that affect the State’s future for consideration in the development of Tourism WA’s long-term strategy.
- Multi-purpose Stadia debate - Following the publication of The Stadium and the City – Volume 1, published by the Major Stadia Taskforce, Committee for Perth undertook a survey of members to gauge the level of support for the key recommendations outlined in the report. Our findings as a result of this survey were submitted to government in support of the Taskforce recommendations.
- Liquor licensing reform – Committee for Perth successfully lobbied with CCIWA and other industry representatives to ensure Coalition Party room support for liquor licensing reforms.
- Education – Committee for Perth delivered a submission via interview to Evaluation of WA Government Support for International Education.
- Perth City Markets – Committee for Perth registered its support of Perth Rotary’s initiative to introduce markets in the city every weekend.
- WA Indigenous Dance Company & Training Centres – in line with our commitment to celebrating Indigenous culture, Committee for Perth has registered its support of this venture.
- The Ellington Jazz Club - as part of our commitment to encouraging the cultural diversity and liveability of Perth, we supported the establishment of Perth’s only specialised Jazz club which was successful in gaining the first nightclub licence awarded in Perth in eight years.
In addition to some of the lobbying and collaboration work above, the Committee for Perth has developed Position Statements on a number of issues we believe help define our purpose further.
Another achievement of the Committee for Perth is research undertaken. We have commissioned research by Curtin University of Technology into cultural centres in Australia, NZ and Canada in order to progress the recommendation in the Cultural Compact relating to establishing a Living Noongar Cultural Centre.
We are also the sole Industry partner with Curtin University for a current application for Australian Research Council Linkage Project Scheme to research ‘Creatives’.