Dr KateBrooks is CEO of WA Return Recycle Renew Limited (WARRRL), the organisation behind Containers for Change in WA. An astrophysicist by training, Kate began her career in astronomy, including working in Chile, before going on to build a career spanning science, innovation, industry, universities and government.
Now based in Perth, Kate brings a unique perspective on innovation, sustainability and what makes a city a place where people and ideas can thrive. In this edition, we asked Kate to share her perspective on Perth, what keeps her here, where its opportunities lie and what she hopes the city might become.
You have spent much of your career around innovation and people with big ideas. Is Perth ambitious enough about what it could become?
Perth is becoming much more confident about our entrepreneurial ecosystem and business opportunities. We have some real advantages: proximity to Asia, political and economic stability, world-class capability in remote operations, engineering and technology, growing opportunities around data centres, renewables and industries emerging through AUKUS.
The next step is making sure people can see a future here. Our universities and TAFEs are critical to keeping young people in WA after school, but we need more flexible pathways between education and work. I’m also a strong believer in government procurement and buy-local approaches to help WA businesses get their first major customers and grow here.
What could Perth do better to attract more great ideas, talented people and growing businesses here?
We talk a lot about our land, infrastructure, lifestyle and resources. We should be selling our people just as hard.
I was in the US last year on a technology tour and was struck by how deliberately cities included their talent pool as part of their pitch to new businesses: come here because these are the people you will be able to employ. Perth has world-class engineers, technologists, medical and health researchers, sustainability specialists, tradespeople and people experienced in operating some of the most complex industrial systems in the world. Let’s promote this more!
You grew up in Sydney and have worked there and overseas, including several years in Chile. What drew you to Perth, and what has made you stay?
Astronomy brought me to Perth. I moved west with CSIRO through my work on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, helping transition one of the world’s largest radio astronomy sites in the Midwest from construction towards operations.
What made me stay was partly the opportunity. I discovered a really vibrant innovation and startup ecosystem and found myself moving into completely new areas of my career.
Your current role is focused on the circular economy. What opportunities do you see for Perth to become a more sustainable city?
Perth already has an interesting advantage. Many of our largest businesses have been measuring and reporting greenhouse emissions for years, which has created deep capability here in carbon accounting, sustainability and emissions reduction. With mandatory climate reporting now expanding to smaller businesses, that expertise is becoming increasingly valuable.
I think the next conversation moving into boardrooms will be circularity and product stewardship.
We need to start asking much earlier: what happens to this product at the end of its life? Can it be reused, repaired or recycled? Can waste be designed out before something is even manufactured?
What city have you visited that made you think differently about Perth, and why?
Covent Garden, London. I was there for New Year’s Eve last year and it was magical – like being in a Christmas holiday movie. But it was also very cold, crowded, hectic and eye-wateringly expensive.
It made me appreciate how much I love Australian summers, especially in Perth where we can live outside. I love the early starts before the heat of the day, and sunset swims. You can plan events outdoors and barely think about the weather. Even the outdoor furniture can stay exactly where it is for months, ready to use.
I do wish our shopping centres stayed open later though. The shops were always buzzing in London at night. And what’s with the 11am start on Sundays?
What’s your favourite way to spend a day in Perth when you’re not working?
If someone offers me a day on a boat heading towards Garden Island with my paddleboard, or a day on Wadjemup, I’m there.
Otherwise, I’m actually pretty happy taking weekends slowly. My home is my sanctuary. I love an early morning run and coffee from Leighton Beach, then pottering around, often disappearing down a Marketplace rabbit hole looking for second-hand furniture.
I’m also a foodie and love eating out, particularly with my three children, who are now young adults. Lately one of our favourites has been joining the queue for ramen in Vic Park and then finding ice cream afterwards.
If you had overseas visitors for just one day, where would you take them to show them Perth?
I actually did this a couple of weeks ago when the newly appointed Director General for the SKA was in town – and who also happens to be my old flatmate from university. We shared an apartment together in Coogee Beach, Sydney. Happy times (and too much sunshine and not enough study.) I picked her up from her hotel and, rather than doing the traditional Kings Park lookout, took her to Wireless Hill in Applecross. We are both radio astronomers, so that seemed much more appropriate.
Then we headed to Cottesloe and had a very long lunch at Il Lido overlooking the coast.
Our favourite coffee spots guide keeps growing. What should we add to the list?
My favourite weekend coffee is MRKT Space at Leighton Beach, usually after a run – although I suspect that is already on your list. So I’ll add a newer discovery: Two Minds Coffee in Mount Pleasant. Awesome coffee and a great little local spot.