The City of Perth Council met on Tuesday 26 May. The following decisions were made:
New vision confirmed to revitalise James Street
A major milestone has been reached in the renewal of Northbridge’s main street, with Council endorsing the $22.8 million Final Concept Plan for the James Street Revitalisation.
Connecting Russell Square, Northbridge Piazza and the Perth Cultural Centre, James Street sits at the heart of Northbridge’s entertainment and cultural precinct. The revitalisation will create a greener, safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment that better supports local businesses, daily activity and major events.
The plans will help transform Northbridge into a more vibrant and welcoming destination, featuring increased tree canopy, upgraded lighting, additional public artworks, new street furniture and wider footpaths designed to enhance the visitor experience and encourage greater community use.
View the webpage for further details: James Street revitalisation.
Respecting the City’s public art collection
The City of Perth manages a significant collection of more than 190 contemporary and historic public artworks.
The Ore Obelisk monument has remained part of the City’s Cultural Collection and has been securely stored while its future was carefully considered.
Independent engineering assessments completed in 2025 confirmed the artwork was structurally unsafe and no longer suitable for public display due to significant deterioration and risk to public safety. Installed in 1971, the Ore Obelisk had undergone ongoing technical assessments since 2016 and was removed following a 2020 incident in which an 80kg rock fragment detached from the artwork. The City of Perth’s Public Art Strategy recognises that public artworks have a finite lifespan, and that ongoing exposure to environmental conditions contributes to their deterioration over time.
Council has endorsed the creation of a commemorative display in the Council House foyer to honour the monument. Up to $118,000 has been allocated to the project, which will incorporate original elements of the artwork and celebrate its history, significance and legacy.
The City remains committed to delivering a strong and diverse public art program and is currently developing the next iteration of our Public Art Strategy to guide the future care, management and investment in the collection. For more information, visit our Public art collection webpage.
The City to be activated through a new round of event sponsorships
The City of Perth will continue to be activated through a new round of event sponsorships for 2026/27, with multi-year funding supporting a vibrant and diverse calendar of events for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The sponsorship program reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to delivering engaging experiences that activate the city, celebrate culture and community, attract visitation throughout the year, and support local businesses and economic growth.
The program supports events that have broad community appeal, champion sustainability, and contribute to a dynamic and welcoming city atmosphere.
Events approved for multi-year sponsorship include the Telethon Family Festival, HBF Run for a Reason, Perth Chinese New Year Fair and Strange Festival.
International Engagement Strategy to deliver tangible outcomes for the city
Council has endorsed the International Engagement Strategy 2026–2030, which outlines how the City of Perth will strengthen its international engagement to create tangible cultural and economic outcomes for the city.
Built around three strategic pillars – cultural and community, global profile and influence, and economic and investment – the strategy provides a framework to connect local businesses, institutions and communities with global markets, partnerships and opportunities.
The formalised International Engagement Strategy will now guide the City’s international engagement activities and future initiatives.
Perth Capital City Plan endorsed
This month, Council endorsed the City of Perth Capital City Plan: Towards 2036 and Beyond, the City’s long-term strategic framework guiding planning, investment and decision-making over the next decade and beyond.
The 10-year Plan sets a new vision for Perth as “Australia’s most vibrant, connected and welcoming city, with a lifestyle second to none,” providing a clear foundation for a liveable, green, and prosperous capital city.
It outlines the long-term direction for Perth’s city centre and will guide future collaboration, advocacy and growth.
The Plan was shaped through extensive community and stakeholder engagement, with input from more than 2,250 people and organisations, including residents, ratepayers, businesses, visitors, industry and government partners. It is also informed by the latest urban design and public life study into central Perth delivered in collaboration with renowned global urban strategy firm Gehl.
The final Plan will now be prepared for publication on the City of Perth website and in hard copy by 30 June 2026.
