Talking the future of Perth

Perth business leaders recently sat down with Business News to discuss the future of the city and how ECU City is shaping up to be a ‘game changer’.

ECU’s Vice President (Engagement) Sonia Mackay-Coghill joined Business News managing editor Sean Cowan, Committee for Perth Chief Executive Marion Fulker, Hames Sharley Chairman and founder Bill Hames and Hassell Director Peter Lee, for the Future Perth podcast to explore the challenges and opportunities in redeveloping Perth. 

The panel discussed how ECU City will bring vibrancy, activity and connectivity to the Perth CBD when the creative industries, business and technology campus opens in 2025.

“We’ve been universally told that this is a game changer for the city,” said Ms Mackay-Coghill.

“This won’t just be a daytime university, there will also be a night-time economy that adds some of the ‘stickiness’ to the city where people come to work and then stay, play, eat and be entertained. We think it’s going to be a really vibrant centre that will activate Northbridge and the areas around it.

“We’ve got 300 performances a year on the WAAPA schedule alone. But you’ll have kids jamming and writing music everywhere and I think it’s that accidental engagement that comes with a university campus that will be really exciting for the city.”

Ms Fulker agreed that ECU City will be a transformational project for Perth.

“With ECU’s campus, they’ve not just thought about the student experience, but are also delivering something for the whole city,” she said.

“There’s going to be FOMO [fear of missing out]. The suburbs are going to get FOMO about what’s going on in the city.”

With several major projects recently completed in Perth, such as RAC Arena, Optus Stadium and Elizabeth Quay, Ms Mackay-Coghill said ECU City will be a key player in the city’s revitalisation.

“It’s going to be about the connectivity between projects, particularly in the city. We’re creating something fantastic at Yagan Square, but I think one of the things that should be on the agenda is how we encourage that connectivity between projects,” said Ms Mackay-Coghill.

To listen to the Business News Future Perth podcast, visit the Business News website.