Perth is undergoing a significant period of change, sparking curiosity among those who haven't been, and is making those who are already part of the 'new Perth' scene or who call Perth home, extremely proud.

The capital city (Australia's sunniest) has always offered locals and visitors a beautiful natural environment – the Swan River, clean air, 19 metropolitan beaches where swimming, snorkelling and surfing abound, one of the world's largest inner city parks, a quality wine region that is WA's oldest, and a port city – but most recently, the attention has turned to the city's urban offering.

This year marked the official opening of Perth's $440 million development waterfront project Elizabeth Quay, which has reconnected the Swan River to the city, and given locals and visitors a new destination in Perth to explore. In its first three weeks of opening, the precinct attracted more than 800,000 visitors, and hosted events from the Perth International Arts Festival and Fringe World. Home to a number of relaxed riverside wining and dining options, pedestrian and cyclists' bridge, promenades, public art, island playground, event spaces and the Barrack Street Jetty, Elizabeth Quay will also see the return of the Ritz Carlton brand to Australia, with a 204-room hotel under construction.

Additionally, in late 2015 Perth city welcomed the arrival of a new 'neighbourhood' – Cathedral Square. Comprising the Perth Town Hall, the new City of Perth library, St Georges Cathedral, a new office tower, and its centrepiece – the State Buildings (a wining, dining and retail precinct housed in 140-year old heritage buildings), the neighbourhood is right in the central business district. Formerly identified as the Old Treasury Buildings, it's one of the most significant heritage precincts in WA and has a rich history. The buildings sat vacant for nearly 20 years, and with architect Kerry Hill at the helm, it's now a hot-spot for locals and visitors.

Retailers include acclaimed WA fashion designer Aurelio Costarella, chocolatier Sue Lewis, artisanal skincare brand Clean Slate and bespoke jeweller Rohan Jewellery, while the new wining and dining venues include David Thompson's Long Chim, Petition Beer Corner, Petition Kitchen, rooftop restaurant Wildflower and late night bar Halford.

Significantly, the precinct is also home to COMO The Treasury, which to date, has been regarded as the best new 'city hotel' in Australia. The hotel comprises 48 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a bar, COMO Shambhala Urban Escape, gym, pool and a level of luxury and service not seen before in Perth.

Crown Limited has shown its long term commitment to Perth with its decision to develop a new six-star, luxury hotel, Crown Towers Perth. The new, 500 room luxury hotel will add to the suite of hotel accommodation options at the Crown Perth, taking hotel room capacity at Crown Perth to nearly 1,200 rooms. Perched on the Swan River, Crown Towers is within 15 minutes of the domestic and international airports and the CBD. As the largest hotel in Perth, it will deliver sumptuous guest rooms and suites, some of the most spacious in Australia, and spectacular views of the city. Construction is expected to be completed in December 2016.

An ecologically sensitive, world-class eco-retreat is on its way to Rottnest Island following a partnership between Rottnest Express, The Billi Resort in Broome and State Government. The resort, Pinkys Eco Retreat and Beach Club, will be located at Pinkys Beach and will comprise 29, four and five-star eco-tents, each with their own ensuite and a high level of comfort, 10 affordable two bedroom 'family' tents, and 35 backpacker or budget tents –providing an additional 200 beds on the island in total. Stage one of the development is expected to be open for business in time for the 2016 summer.

All of the above sits alongside a bunch of bars and restaurants that have opened in recent years around Perth, which have contributed to the city's 'wining and dining boom'. Since the city's first small bar licence was granted in 2007, 88 small bar licences exist around the city and its surrounding suburbs (11 were granted in 2007; that's an increase of 800 per cent).

MAJOR PROJECTS – COMPLETED AND UNDERWAY

Perth Stadium
The new Perth Stadium will form a permanent centerpiece for the redevelopment of the Burswood Peninsula on the Swan River. It will be one of the major sporting and entertainment venues for Perth and one of the major international sporting venues for Australia. The stadium will have tiered seating and a total capacity of 60,000 seats. The standard of the stadium, including its functionality, services, finishes and fit out will be equivalent to world's best practice.

Perth City Link
Perth City Link will reconnect the CBD with Northbridge for the first time in 100 years, and create a vibrant new mixed-use precinct that will revitalise and dramatically change the face of Perth. It involves sinking the Fremantle rail line from Perth Station to Lake/King streets, undergrounding of the Wellington Street Bus Station and creating five new connections between the CBD and Northbridge. When completed Perth City Link will deliver significant benefits for locals and tourists alike – better access and connectivity; more residential, retail, entertainment and commercial opportunities; and more than four hectares of high quality public spaces which includes Yagan Square.

Kings Square
Situated in the middle of Perth City Link, and opposite the Perth Arena, Kings Square will meld the atmospheres of Lake and King Streets to create the cosmopolitan heart of the city. The new two-way street connection will emphasise the pedestrian-friendly character of the area. East-west lanes and arcades will link to other key destinations. Bars, restaurants and late-closing shops will be scattered throughout, with offices located on the floors above.

Riverside
Located on the banks of the Swan River in East Perth, the 40-hectare Riverside project is transforming the city's eastern gateway. Upon completion, the area will be a cosmopolitan waterfront community and tourist destination with a range of entertainment, commercial, retail, civic and residential uses that take advantage of its unique location. As part of the project, the flagship Waterbank precinct will feature a natural beach area surrounded by public promenades, green open space including a large wetland area, and a direct connection from Hay Street to the Swan River with a new river pier.

New museum for the Perth Cultural Centre
More than $428 million in capital funds has been committed to develop a new museum within the Perth Cultural Centre. With an anticipated delivery date of 2020, the new facility will integrate with the refurbished heritage buildings to display the State collection in contemporary and innovative ways. It will allow the museum to present blockbuster exhibitions from around the world and will be a place where visitors can share, explore and connect with the past, present and future.

Perth Airport
A billion dollar upgrade of Perth Airport is well underway and represents the first stage towards having all commercial air services in Perth operating from one convenient location within the next 10 years. The state of the art T1 Domestic Terminal is home to Virgin Australia and opened in November 2015. It features 28 domestic check-in kiosks and bag-drop technology, as well as 12 aerobridge departure gates, including three capable of taking the airline's wide-body Airbus A330s. Other key developments include a new terminal primarily servicing regional WA; transformation of the international arrivals and departure areas; a new domestic pier; and a new multi-storey car park.

Media enquiries:
Jayde Little
Tourism WA Destination and Events PR Executive
jayde.little@westernaustralia.com
08 9292 1769

Emily Andrews
Tourism WA Destination and Events PR Officer
emily.andrews@westernaustralia.com
08 9262 1811