As you can see from my video, I was asked to present to the WA Planning Commission’s board on Committee for Perth’s priorities and the Perth 2050 report. It was great to see their interest in our future focus for the Perth metro area. During the meeting with the Commissioners, I highlighted our recent research demonstrating increased community support for higher density and we discussed ideas for density done well. I look forward to reporting back to you about these ongoing, important discussions.

Thank you to everyone who took part in our 2025 Member Survey. If you have not, please take some time as the deadline has been extended to Friday, 7 February 2025. Your feedback helps us to understand our members’ needs. We will provide a detailed update in the next newsletter, and at our 2025 Member Event.

Isn’t it exciting to see the new development plans being submitted for approval across our region? From the long-awaited Carillon City renovation to the Woolstores makeover in Fremantle, while work has begun on the Perth Cultural Centre upgrade. All are game-changing projects that will revitalise and improve public realm.

Now into its third year, Perth Design Week is helping to engage the broader community in these pivotal conversations about purposeful design – and in a first for Committee for Perth, we are partnering with PDW to launch its 2025 program. I hope you can join me there!

Welcome to Committee for Perth’s newest team member, Kelly Woodall (yes, a second Kelly in our team of six!) who has hit the ground running as our new Events and Member Experience Coordinator. With years of experience delivering events and a stellar career, we are lucky to have her join our team. Kelly’s looking forward to meeting you at our events and we encourage members to make sure you reserve your place in any upcoming events you want to be part of. Visit the events page on our website as we’ve got more to come!

So much to do in Perth at the moment! Fringe World – the third biggest Fringe Festival in the world – is on in Perth until 16 February and Perth Festival starts on 7 Feb activating the old East Perth Power Station, Perth Town Hall and other spots across the metro area. The Twilight Food Markets are in Forrest Place every Friday until the end of March, catch the Coastal Explorer bus to some of our most pristine beaches to Hillarys Boat Harbour, the 35th annual Rottnest Channel Swim sets off from Cottesloe on 22 February, the Whispers of Soul exhibition is on in Mandurah all month, and I’m so pleased to hear the amazing Empress Josephine’s Garden exhibition has been extended until May 2025.

It is going to be a BIG – and decisive – year for Perth, especially with 25 years left before 2050. We will be working with leaders, members and the community on delivering a vision for the Perth we want to live in for generations to come. We hope you want to be part of this too.

Until next time,
Paula Rogers
Chief Executive Officer
Committee for Perth