Sea of pavers at Perth Cultural Centre ‘desert’ to go as $55m greening project brings much-needed shade

Perth Cultural Centre is about to get much-needed shade and greenery, with the Cook Government admitting it is being shunned and “an awful place to visit” mid-summer. The Northbridge precinct that’s home to the State’s major cultural institutions including the Art Gallery of WA, State Library of WA and WA Museum Boola Bardip will get a $55 million freshening up under a project set to begin in January. “We all know the heat island effect. The worst scenario is when you have concrete everywhere,” State member for Perth John Carey told reporters on Sunday. “Currently, this is in the middle of summer an awful place to visit. It is a desert. “It’s terrible for locals and tourists alike. “People do not want to come here and that’s a terrible situation when we’ve got major tourism and art destinations.” Lighting will be added with the aim of increasing safety. Federal member for Perth Patrick Gorman agreed a rejuvenation was badly needed. “For a whole chunk of the year, it gets boiling hot,” he said. “If you come here in January, you will find that families are trying to find those small bits of shade. “Out go the pavers ... and we’re putting in grass, more shade and more places for people to sit. “It’s going to make a huge difference.” Mr Carey said works were expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2026 and he was confident the project could be delivered despite the massive shortfall in skilled trades. “We are not seeing the same competition from this kind of project with building a home,” the Housing Minister said. He confirmed that the PCC project would affect local businesses. “With any change, particularly in a big public space like this, there will be impacts,” Mr Carey said. “The challenge of this space ... is all the underground works and obviously the car parks. “So it is a significant undertaking, but the agencies have been working with the existing businesses.” Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the Cook Government had flagged a PCC refresh before. “It sounds to me like a new announcement of an old announcement six months out from two elections,” Mr Zempilas said. “But we celebrate any progress in the city, and yes, it has been needed for a long time ... we can do better.”