Editorial: Perth’s CBD deserves some love as it deteriorates into an unrecognisable city centre

Melbourne in the 1980s was known as a doughnut city. Its CBD was so dead and devoid of activity after business hours and on weekends that it was likened to the sweet round treat — the centre was an empty hole. In some respects, Perth is facing a similar issue. The CBD, despite best efforts, is still empty on many week nights and after hours on weekends, leading to concerns from leading lobby groups that it’s unsafe thanks to anti-social behaviour. Perth should not be a carbon copy of Melbourne, and should mark its own path. But Melbourne’s approach to bringing its CBD to life is a strategy now globally recognised as sound. The Victorian capital is often cited as one of the world’s most liveable cities. Much is being made of the new Edith Cowan University campus right in the heart of Perth city. Its construction has sparked a much-needed overhaul of Yagan Square and the spillover effect is palpable already. New businesses have opened on some Northbridge and CBD streets and it’s hoped this will continue once classes begin next year, while new student accommodation nearby will also provide a fillip in the form of a bigger permanent city residential population. But it is right to raise concerns about the state of our central business district. When it does well, the entire metro area does well. “Perth isn’t just any city. It’s our capital city,” Property Council WA executive director Nicola Brischetto told The West Australian. “It contributes not only to our economy, but to our sense of identity and pride in our State. “Its success is critical to attracting investment and ensuring the long-term prosperity of WA.” The City of Perth’s plans to increase the number of people living in the CBD are positive, but they could be bolder. A solid residential population drives services and business demand, which the central city needs to fill in its doughnut hole. The council plans for 55,000 residents by 2036 across its entire local government area and 90,000 by 2050. The central business district must do the majority of the heavy lifting in this respect and more ambition is needed on this front. What will also need work are plans to fix the perceptions of the CBD — that it’s more than just a place for people to work. This will require a cohesive and co-ordinated approach from the City of Perth and the State Government. And those in the broader metro area will need to play their part by visiting the city and spending there. Efforts are being made in this regard, with the council stepping up events, but again, a greater, more bold vision will be required. In the interim, the council and the State Government also need to put politics aside. There are fresh internal dramas at the City of Perth, and the State Government has previously accused the council of being hijacked by the WA Liberals. Ratepayers and taxpayers aren’t well-served by the squabbles. They want councillors, staff and politicians focused on efficient and appropriate service delivery, not political stunts and bickering. If in the 12 to 18 months after the new university campus begins operating there is no perceptible improvement on the issues the Property Council has raised, greater scrutiny will be entirely deserved. Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by WAN Editor-in-Chief Christopher Dore