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Draft Riverfront Masterplan

Draft Riverfront Masterplan concept rendering

The Swan River is one of Perth’s greatest assets. The Perth riverfront has great unrealised potential to be a world-class destination, that better connects our modern city to the stunning natural surrounds of the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River.

With the City of Perth and the State Government undertaking several major projects around the Perth Riverfront precinct, the City has sought to guide future development in the best interests of both the local and wider Perth community through a process of engagement, planning and design.

Development of the Draft Riverfront Masterplan

The City has developed the Draft Riverfront Masterplan, designed to reimagine the riverfront as a contemporary public space that caters for a growing city and delivers a world-class river park for everyone to enjoy.

Informed by a series of technical studies and extensive early community and stakeholder engagement, the draft Masterplan blends culture, nature, biodiversity, play and leisure. It incorporates 2.2 kilometres of foreshore including the Supreme Court Gardens, Terrace Road Car Park, Langley Park, Point Fraser and Ozone Reserve, Riverside Drive, shared path and river’s edge, as well as the foreshore to the east of the Causeway up to Matagarup Bridge.

This visionary initiative presents a unique opportunity for collaboration between all tiers of Government to enhance how the city integrates with the Riverfront, creating lasting benefits for all.

Community and stakeholder engagement

In early to mid 2025, the City undertook an extensive community and stakeholder engagement process.

The community were invited to several drop-in information sessions and to participate in an online survey - open for six weeks from 24 March to 5 May 2025 - to provide feedback on the draft Masterplan. As a project of state significance, the survey was open to all Western Australians. The survey received 1582 responses – the highest ever by a City of Perth project.

State government agencies and private industry groups attended workshops during the development and provided written submissions following the publishing of the draft Masterplan.

The full results of the engagement process can be viewed here: Perth Riverfront Masterplan Engagement Report

A summary of the engagement process and results can be viewed here: Perth Riverfront Masterplan Engagement Summary

Next steps

The community and stakeholder engagement phase of the Draft Riverfront Masterplan project is now complete.

At the Ordinary Council Meeting held 26 May 2026 the Council considered the engagement report and noted that the draft Masterplan will be retained as a strategic reference document to:

  • Inform the City’s advocacy and collaboration with the State Government on riverfront initiatives currently being progressed, including the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Barrack Square Redevelopment; and
  • Guide future asset renewal, public realm improvements, and upgrade opportunities within the riverfront precinct as they arise.
Artist impression of Riverfront Masterplan
Image credit: WAX Architectural Visualizations

 

Frequently asked questions

  • Why has the City prepared the Draft Masterplan?

    The Riverfront has long been identified for its unrealised potential as a world class park and destination.

    Several strategic documents have identified actions for the City to develop a masterplan including the City of Perth Local Planning Strategy 2023 (endorsed by WAPC), the Perth Water Buneenboro Action Plan (DBCA and Swan River Trust), the City’s Corporate Business Plan (2023/24) and Urban Greening Strategy (2023-2036).

    Additionally, the City is responsible, under the City of Perth Act, to promote the city locally and globally as the state capital, driving economic development, tourism, culture and innovation, promoting precinct level initiatives across the city.

    The City has led this project, informed by the community to progress the development of this place in the best interests of both the local community and all Western Australians.

  • What has driven the timing of the Draft Masterplan?

    The Perth foreshore was formed by a massive land reclamation project over 100 years ago, primarily to create a large civic and recreation space for a modern, civilised city. Many design proposals since then have resulted in Supreme Court Gardens, the Narrows Freeway Interchange and Elizabeth Quay. Many more design proposals have not been realised. Langley Park has remained largely unchanged for many decades beyond its creation in the 1930s.

    The river wall and drainage network are failing and require renewal. Langley Park and Riverside Drive flood during high tide events and inclement weather. These issues will be further aggravated by the predicted 0.7m rise in river levels by 2100. The need to replace this infrastructure presents an opportunity to rethink the area’s purpose and function for the future of Perth.

    Several major projects are progressing by the City and State Government along the Riverfront including the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Supreme Court Gardens Event Infrastructure Upgrades and Barrack Square Redevelopment. Therefore, the City requires a strategic vision and approach to ensure the best possible outcomes for the community.

  • What work has already been done on this project?

    Riverfront Masterplan timeline

    Above is an overview of the work that has been undertaken so far in the development of the Masterplan.

  • What will the Draft Masterplan be used for?

    The Draft Masterplan will be retained as a strategic reference document to:

    • Inform the City’s advocacy and collaboration with the State Government on riverfront initiatives currently being progressed, including the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Barrack Square Redevelopment; and
    • Guide future asset renewal, public realm improvements, and upgrade opportunities within the riverfront precinct as they arise.
  • Langley Park is an A-Class reserve. What does this mean?
    A-Class status protects Langley Park’s use as “Parks, gardens and recreation”, ensuring its primary ongoing use as public open space. Building or development is permitted which support this land use. Any development is subject to approval by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage, at the time of development application.
  • Several sites within the Draft Masterplan area are heritage listed. What does this mean?
    Responding to the site’s rich heritage requires ongoing engagement, understanding, planning and design. The City commissioned a Cultural Heritage Assessment for the site in 2020 which has informed the design process and identifies opportunities for the project to celebrate the site’s rich cultural heritage. Any development is subject to approval by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage.

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