We first met in June 2023 to discuss our similarities, differences and opportunities, and reconvened last week to meet with Ministers, advisors, and each other, to explore ways to maximise our impact. While our primary focus is our respective home cities, our time together in Canberra was invaluable, where we helped each other discuss efficiencies, share policies, and identify areas where we can collectively make a difference.

My week in Canberra was exhilarating and eye opening. My top five lessons learnt include:

1. Our collective voices make us more powerful
2. It is vital to understand the national policy landscape – it connects everything: energy, transport, housing, arts, culture, infrastructure and more
3. The Urbis Liveability Rankings provides useful benchmarking and measurement of liveability
4. Future thinking needs to be rudimentary for planning of our cities
5. There is a need for cross-sectoral, independent, future focused leadership to drive an agenda of ambitious change and development.

I look forward to updating you on the Urbis Liveability Rankings and sharing insights and opportunities from my meetings at our 2024 Member Event at QV1 on Wednesday, 24 July. Please get in touch to secure your spot.

Shake off the winter chill and embrace the season, with lots to see, do and explore around the Perth region this month. Street artist Rone is opening at AGWA from 1 July to 30 September, the RE//PERTH Winter Arts Festival is awakening the City from 4 to 14 July, and Revelation Perth International Film Festival is on from 3 to 14 July across various venues. NAIDOC week celebrations will be held from 7 to 14 July with this year’s theme of Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.

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