The activity of the Committee for Perth can be broken down into three key areas - Reforming, Reshaping and Revitalising.
Reforming
This key focus area includes developing initiatives to progress the deregulation of government policies that negatively impact on Perth’s liveability and vibrancy.
• Local government reform – we have undertaken research into Successful Local Government Models which underpinned our Local Government Structural Reform submission currently lodged with Government in favour of local government reform with a particular emphasis on the need for a governance structure for the metropolitan region.
• Full deregulation of retail trading hours – although we have made some inroads into winning the right for more shopping hours for the citizens of Perth through advocacy and close collaboration with CCIWA on the Choice at the Checkout campaign, we continue to call for all residents living in the greater metropolitan area to have the right to more flexible retail trading hours.
Reshaping
Our second key focus area encompasses developing initiatives, advocacy and monitoring programs in order to champion our vision relating to sustainability, city making projects, public spaces and transportation.
• Perth Waterfront development – through close liaison with the government we provide input and perspective on plans as they are developed for this area.
• Transportation – the working group receives updates from a variety of organisations within this sector including Perth Airport and the Public Transport Authority allowing us to be informed on long-term transport planning initiatives.
• Placemaking – following work in 2008 and 2009 with Fred Kent from Projects for Public Spaces, the working group continues to promote the principals required to encourage development of effective and dynamic public spaces. Through ongoing engagement with the East Perth Redevelopment Authority and interested parties we have supported a placemaking approach to be the revitalisation of the Perth Cultural Centre, and consider the people perspective in terms of the Northbridge Link and the Perth Waterfront projects.
• Sustainability – two submissions have been prepared and lodged in response to the West Australian Planning Commissions papers Draft State Planning Policy Activity Centres for Perth and Peel and Directions 2031 – Draft Spatial Framework for Perth and Peel. Development of these policies will be monitored by the working group and further input provided as related policies are developed.
• Planning Approvals reform – we maintain close contact with the Department of Planning through continued advocacy for a more efficient planning approvals process that will encourage appropriate urbanisation and result in a range of housing options throughout the metropolitan area.
Revitalising
Our third area of focus invovles catalysing activity and developing initiatives in order to deliver on our vision by progressing the recommendations contained in our key report A Cultural Compact for Western Australia – the 10 year challenge with the aim of utilising arts and culture to increase the vibrancy of Perth.
Key focus areas of current attention as recommended in the Cultural Compact are:
• World Centre for Indigenous Culture – following significant research undertaken by the Committee for Perth, we are represented on the Indigenous Place Reference Group to assist in creating an centre for Aboriginal Arts and Culture as part of the Perth Waterfront project
• Celebrating Indigenous Culture – we are working closely with the local government bodies and local Indigenous groups to encourage the celebration of Indigenous culture throughout Perth
• Youth Arts Hub – ongoing work continues with Propel Youth Arts and a number of other bodies for the development of a business case in support of the Youth Arts Hub for Perth.
• Philanthropy – researching governance structures in order to develop the WA Creative Investment fund and Chair, Margaret Seares is leading a Lotterywest funded project to better understand the attitudes to philanthropy in WA.