Committee for Perth

• structural reform of local government.
• State government’s establishment of an expert panel to assess metropolitan Perth’s future social, economic and environmental requirements to recommend the most appropriate local governance model to address these challenges.
• the appropriate amalgamation of local authorities within the Perth metropolitan area based on a detailed assessment of local authority service delivery and cost of service to identify the optimal local authority size and structure.
• a formal mechanism for regional co-operation governance.

We believe that:

• the current fragmented system of local government in the metropolitan region is hindering the potential to achieve our vision. 
• in order to effectively compete with other metropolitan regions throughout the world, the Perth metropolitan region needs to be formally organised to explicitly serve the purposes of the region in the pursuit of attracting and retaining skilled resources and economic development.
• a mechanism for formal regional cooperation would benefit Perth by allowing for an integrated vision and strategy for the region as well as policy consistency and integrated planning.  It would also provide a united voice for the promotion of Perth as a globally competitive economic centre and as a tourism location for world-class facilities and events.
• amalgamation of local authorities would help address issues of urban sprawl and would streamline planning processes.
• local government amalgamation and regional co-operation mechanisms would minimise the economic segregation of neighbourhoods.
• there is currently too much variance in local government in the Perth metropolitan region which hinders potential inter-council co-operation.
  

We demonstrate our commitment by:

• commissioning independent research into successful national and international local government models and making the findings available to government.
• advocating on this issue through our CEO and Reforming Working Group.
• presenting a submission to government supporting the case for structural reform.
• participating in a government working group through our CEO which looks at the issues surrounding legal and governance issues.

• an iconic waterfront development, which will ‘define’ our city.
• a multi-use development that includes a public meeting place, hospitality, commercial and residential spaces.
• the inclusion of a world class standard cultural anchor in the form of a centre for Indigenous arts and culture within the waterfront precinct.

We believe that:

• this project will provide additional employment opportunities and attract more workers to Perth.
• reconnecting the city to the Swan River will confirm Perth as an energetic and world-class city.
• there must be collaboration between the Government and the private sector when planning and developing this project.
• the development of our waterfront will build on Perth’s reputation as one of the world’s most liveable and dynamic cities and firmly place us on the international stage.

We demonstrate our commitment by:

• undertaking on the ground research into overseas waterfronts and World Indigenous Cultural Centres and providing the Premier and the Waterfront Taskforce with the results and key findings from our research.
• our CEO participating on the Indigenous Place Reference Group which reports to the Waterfront Taskforce.
• continuing to publicly support the development of the foreshore through the media and CEO speaking engagements.

We are supportive of:

• the creation of a World Centre for Indigenous Culture in Perth as the integrated cultural anchor in the Waterfront development.
• the inclusion of this significant cultural facility as part of the first stage in the Perth Waterfront development to ensure our waterfront can compete on the global stage.
• all moves to  acknowledge, respect and celebrate Indigenous culture, with a specific focus on the first people of Perth – the Noongar people.

We believe that:

• the centre should celebrate the history and vitality of Indigenous people from across the globe by creating a dynamic, interactive, multifaceted place where Indigenous people can come together and do the cultural business of engaging each other and the broader community in sharing culture.
• the centre could be developed in three stages: 1) Living Noongar Cultural Centre; 2) Western Australian Centre for Aboriginal Arts and Culture and 3)World Centre for Indigenous Culture.
• consultation, collaboration and inclusion of the Noongar people at each stage of the development process is fundamental to its success.
  cultural spaces should be created by community people to reflect and respond to their own experiences and it would not be acceptable to Noongar people to have ‘culture’ showcased and commercialised to meet the needs of non-Indigenous consumers without meeting the needs of those to whom the culture belongs.
• such a centre would draw the attention of a worldwide audience and enhance tourism opportunities in Western Australia.  There is no known precedent for a World Centre for Indigenous Culture so Perth would be developing something truly unique.
• the opportunity to view rarely seen private collection of Indigenous art and artefacts will create unique experiences for our citizens and visitors.

We demonstrate our commitment by:

• continuing to strongly argue for the inclusion of a World Centre for Indigenous Culture as part of the Perth Waterfront development.
  engaging Dr Richard Walley, OAM to undertake research on our behalf relating to the celebration of Indigenous culture with the Noongar community.
• collaborating with Indigenous organisations to identify opportunities to celebrate, acknowledge and respect Indigenous arts, culture and history.

We are supportive of:

• the complete deregulation of trading hours across the broad spectrum of retailers in the Perth metropolitan area including unrestricted Sunday trading.
• the government’s legislative reform which enabled retail trading until 9pm on weeknights for any general retail outlets wishing to trade.
• the premise that deregulated retail trading hours will provide a retail environment that better caters for changes in urban lifestyles particularly for young families and working couples.

We believe that:

• the current restrictions on retail trading hours is an impediment to metropolitan vibrancy and consumer choice.
• the introduction of restricted or limited Sunday trading will cause confusion and frustration within the community and we will continue to strongly argue for complete deregulation including unrestricted Sunday trading.
• recent economic and demographic transition has caused a need for re-examination of the current retail trading regulations.
• Western Australia is a service-based economy and retail trade is a key contributor to this sector.
• the deregulation of trading hours could prove to be central in creating a social environment which would assist in attracting overseas and interstate workers and families to the state.
• extension of trading hours will provide immediate economic benefits that will be felt across multiple sectors.
• the tourism industry within Western Australia would be boosted by the deregulation of retail trading.
• many of the arguments against deregulation are unsubstantiated as supported by our fact based research.

We demonstrate our commitment by:

• submitting a response to the government’s issues paper Whitegoods and other consumer durables released in October 2010 in relation to proposed restricted Sunday trading.
• supporting the broadest definition of whitegoods and consumer durables that could be sold under the government’s proposed limited Sunday trading while continuing to advocate for full, unrestricted Sunday trading. 
• highlighting the need for reform on this issue in our publication, A Cultural Compact for Western Australia, the 10 year challenge.
• commending the government on its reform to allow weeknight trading to 9pm for all general retailers wishing to trade.
• working collaboratively with like minded organisations also seeking to influence the regularity environment that impacts adversely on the liveability and vibrancy of Perth.
• advocating on the issue through our Reforming Working Group.

We are supportive of:

• the development of a Youth Arts Hub to allow for the inspiration and connection of young artists to each other and the wide world of arts.
• Propel Youth Arts taking carriage of this recommendation to move it forward.

We believe that:

• such a cluster of youth arts activities will create endless possibilities for emerging local artists of all forms.
• a physical centre is important to foster a responsive, innovative, dynamic and iconic youth arts scene where anything is possible.
• a centrally located facility in the CBD would be an ideal location for such a youth arts centre through its proximity to both the city and cultural precinct.  It would be accessible to all and add value to the development of Northbridge and the Cultural Precinct.
• investment in a Youth Arts Hub will ensure that Perth can better engage and retain young West Australian talent by ensuring they are an active part of the city.

We demonstrate our commitment by:

• establishing a Youth Arts Hub Steering Committee, as a sub group of our Revitalising Working Group, to drive the project under the auspice of Propel Youth Arts.
• working with a number of arts bodies and in particular the Chamber of the Arts and Culture, in order to undertake research required for this concept to be progressed.

We are supportive of:

• the government’s long term strategy document for addressing Perth’s predicted future population growth, Directions 2031 and Beyond and is working with government to assist with its successful implementation.
• the necessity to attract more human capital.
• the development of a vision for greater Perth so as to provide numerous intergenerational legacies and have been working with government in its development.
• the role of small business in adding to the vibrancy of Perth by activating the city at street level and providing niche offerings.
• the need for the full deregulation of retail trading hours across the broad spectrum of retailers.
• a streamlined approvals system so that businesses, both small and large, can be responsive to market conditions and opportunities.
• the need to benchmark the liveability of Perth and to measure our global competitiveness which we undertake through our FACTBase research initiative.
• the construction of the Perth Waterfront development as a means to build on Perth’s reputation as one of the world’s most liveable and dynamic cities and firmly place us on the international stage.

We believe that:

• Perth should be able to demonstrate a legacy from periods of economic growth and one way of achieving this is through the provision of world-class, urban amenity, infrastructure and services.
• Government needs to provide the certainty that the private sector requires in order for investment funds to flow.
• in order to achieve international acclaim, Perth needs to have an active arts and cultural sector that is supported in terms of development, financial assistance, and facilities with a focus on the celebration of Indigenous culture and strongly advocates for the inclusion of a World Centre for Indigenous Culture as an integral anchor in the Waterfront development.
• Perth needs to maximise economic opportunity, which is as much about a vibrant capital as it is about a highly liveable city – a place that is safe, welcoming and tolerant as well as entrepreneurial and creative.
• Perth needs to stop looking east and create a place for Perth in the world and, importantly, with our near neighbours and we are working with government to develop an overarching vision for our city.
• with cities competing globally for resources, Perth needs to be a ‘city of choice’ as much as for the career and work opportunities on offer as the unique lifestyle elements it can provide.

We demonstrate our commitment by:

• our vision, mission and purpose statements.  The Committee for Perth operates entirely out of a function to increase city vibrancy and regional liveability.
• the establishment of our working groups which focus independently on advocating and pursing issues relating to reforming, revitalising and reshaping Perth and the greater metropolitan area in line with our three key areas of research focus.
• making public the findings of our FACTBase research, undertaken jointly with University of Western Australia which benchmarks the liveability of Perth and its global connectedness