A City Deal for Perth could see a new university campus created in the Perth CBD, following a meeting between federal and state governments.
The Perth City Deal is aimed at increasing population density in the CBD, and the governments are in talks with Perth’s universities to relocate a campus to the city, in an effort to boost economic activity in the hospitality and retail sectors.
A memorandum of understanding signed in April 2018 outlined a number of “key areas” for investment and reform, including “Increasing infill housing within Perth’s existing footprint,” and “exploring value capture opportunities” to help fund the WA government’s Metronet public transport projects.
“We have the unique opportunity to create a vibrant presence in our city by collaborating with the Federal Government, universities and businesses,” said WA premier Mark McGowan.
“A City Deal will help activate our city centre and provide an economic stimulus in the heart of our city, supporting small businesses and local jobs.”
Alan Tudge, federal minister for cities, said that the deal was aimed at boosting the population living in the CBD.
“Perth has the lowest population density of any capital city except Darwin and Hobart,” he said.
“There is a real opportunity to bring more people into the CBD, which means more activity, retail, restaurants and tourism opportunities. All of this would make the city centre more vibrant and safe.”
Perth City Deal follows other agreements made in Geelong (for a convention and exhibition centre and a number of tourism-centric developments), Townsville (for the construction of a new stadium by Cox Architecture and 9point9), Western Sydney (for Badgerys Creek airport), Launceston (for the now-approved construction of a new University of Tasmania campus), and Hobart.
A timeline for the implementation of the deal is set to be confirmed in 2020.
