Urban Insights: Activating East Perth

Learn more about how the redevelopment of Perth’s iconic WACA Ground is set to transform the riverside city precinct of East Perth.

Our Urban Insights: Activating East Perth on April 10 features key players in the most recent transformation of East Perth:

• The Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA, Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Tourism
• Christina Matthews AM, Chief Executive Officer, WA Cricket
• Kyle Jeavons, Director, Hesperia

You’ll hear about the rejuvenation of the WACA Ground as it becomes a modern community and sporting hub, as well as plans for new housing developments, schools and recreation zones in the East Perth precinct.

Committee for Perth’s Urban Insights are city learning journeys. These events explore transformations of precincts and regions, with insights from those who have driven the change.

We look forward to seeing you there.

EVENT PHOTOS

Our speakers & panellists

The Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA

Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Tourism

Rita Saffioti was elected to State Parliament in 2008 for the electorate of West Swan, and became a Shadow Minister in 2013.

In 2017, Rita was appointed Minister for Transport and Planning in the McGowan Government.

Following the re-election of the Labor Government in March 2021, Rita was reappointed as the Minister for Transport and Planning, while also being named as the Minister for Ports.

Oversight of the Transport, Planning and Ports portfolios gives Rita the opportunity to take an integrated approach to transport and land use planning, and responsibility of delivering the Governments major METRONET project.

There are now a range of major road and rail projects across the state that are either underway or completed.

This year alone she is overseeing the construction of major METRONET projects, almost 40 major road projects.

Rita’s priority is to see the State of Western Australia thrive through planning reform and a first class transport network.

Some of her proudest achievements include returning railcar manufacturing to Western Australia, starting construction on the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line and securing record funding from the Commonwealth to upgrade regional roads.

After finishing her schooling at Kelmscott Senior High School, Rita gained a Bachelor of Business at Curtin University before moving to Canberra to work at the Department of Finance and then returning to Western Australia to work at the Department of Treasury.

In 1997 Rita commenced working for then Opposition Leader Geoff Gallop as an economic adviser, continuing this role into Government before ultimately becoming Chief of Staff to Premier Alan Carpenter.

Rita has three young children, a 11 -year-old and nine-year-old twins. When not at Parliament, Rita can usually be found with her family at the footy cheering on her team, the Fremantle Dockers.

Christina Matthews AM

Former Chief Executive Officer, WA Cricket

Christina Matthews was the Chief Executive Officer of WA Cricket from 2012 to 2024 and a former Australian cricketer. Christina is a well-respected voice within the Australian sports and business community and she has proved herself to be an effective and courageous leader during her tenure as CEO at WA Cricket as she redefined the way WA Cricket approached its business.

Overseeing major projects such as the transition of major cricket to Optus Stadium and a $164m development of the WACA Ground Christina brings with her 35 years’ experience in various management, coaching and development roles within sporting organisations, including cricket, hockey and Australian rules football.  A significant contributor to the development of cricket, she has spent many years supporting community cricket associations and sits on a number of boards and committees.

In 2024 Christina was awarded an AM for her services to cricket and to women and in 2022 Christina was named WA Sports Administrator of the Year and one of the 500 most influential people in WA.

Kyle Jeavons

Director, Hesperia

At Hesperia, Kyle oversees the built form projects through acquisition, planning approval, concept design, construction and delivery.

Before commencing with Hesperia, Kyle held senior management roles at Mirvac Group and Fini Group. As Development Director at Fini Group, he was responsible for the highly successful redevelopment of the State Buildings in Perth’s CBD. He also led the successful bids and delivery for major projects such as Elizabeth Quay, Murdoch Health and Knowledge Precinct, Victoria House at Montario Quarter, Shenton Park the Woolstores in Fremantle and the ABN Building and Leederville Precinct, Leederville.

In East Perth, Hesperia is working with the Western Australian Trotting Association, to deliver a major component of the rejuvenation of East Perth.  Gloucester Park holds almost 100 years of history in East Perth, and this history and infrastructure will be repurposed to deliver an exceptional urban outcome for East Perth.  Providing housing choice, exceptional public spaces, hospitality and sport and recreation that connects Burswood (Optus Stadium), the Swan River and Gloucester Park to the greater CBD.

This project, along with the WACA redevelopment and East Perth Primary School have the ability to quickly transform East Perth into Perth’s most vibrant and well-connected community.