FAQs
Why has the City prepared the Masterplan?
Perth’s riverfront has so much untapped potential and the Masterplan creates the opportunity for it to become a a world-class destination.
The Local Planning Strategy for our capital city includes the aspiration to grow our residential population to 55,000 residents by 2036 and 90,000 residents by 2050. It also identifies the need to develop a plan for the riverfront - to enhance and broaden its current use and to plan for the demands of a growing city population.
This planning strategy was endorsed by the Western Australian Planning Commission in May 2023.
What has driven the timing of the Masterplan?
Langley Park – often referred to as Perth’s front garden - was reclaimed from the water over a century ago, to be used as public open space.
With time and a changing climate, the river wall has become degraded, resulting in storm inundation and flooding during high tide events and inclement weather. This is compounded by the existing drainage pipe network, which sits too low and is prone to backing up.
These issues, which will be further aggravated by the predicted 0.7m rise in river levels by 2100 driven by climate change, present an exciting opportunity to rethink Perth Riverfront as we respond to these challenges.
What will the Masterplan be used for?
The Masterplan will provide a vision for our riverfront area to guide the City’s future planning and budgeting for components of the plan the City is able to fund and deliver on its own.
The Masterplan will also be used to advocate for future funding and involvement by other parties, including other levels of government and the private sector.
The Masterplan will also give investors and residents confidence the City of Perth is looking to the future needs/amenity of its residents and visitors.
What work has already been done on this project?
Click here to see an overview of work that has been undertaken so far in the development of the Masterplan.
What was the outcome of previous consultation about Perth Riverfront?
In 2020, the City of Perth undertook community and stakeholder engagement to inform the future of Perth’s Riverfront. The findings of that consultation can be seen here.
What happens after the consultation has closed?
Once the community and other stakeholders have provided feedback on the Masterplan, all submissions will be collated and shared with the Masterplan designers. Community and stakeholder feedback, together with a final Masterplan that has been informed by the consultation process, will be presented to Council for its consideration.
When will the development take place?
It is important to realise that the Masterplan for the riverfront is a long-term vision and will be delivered over many years.
We’re at the very start of the process.
Once we have a final Masterplan endorsed by Council (following community consultation), the staging and timing of delivery of individual components will be considered and the elements the City is able to deliver on its own will be factored into our Long-Term Financial Plan.
More detailed technical studies and detailed design will then need to occur on individual components before they can be delivered.