West Aussies see urban sprawl, reaching net zero among Perth’s biggest hurdles before 2050

West Australians believe the state’s capital will need to rapidly decarbonise and diversify its mining-dependent economy, halt urban sprawl and support more apartments if it is to accommodate 3.5 million people by 2050, according to a new report by a Perth think-tank.

The Perth 2050 survey, commissioned by the Committee for Perth and Scitech, found just 22 per cent of the 1421 respondents believed the city was prepared for the anticipated population growth.

The Perth 2050 report, being released on Tuesday, identified a host of priorities the public believe should be addressed before 2050.Credit: Getty

The report, released on Tuesday, identified 10 key priorities — including decarbonisation, the need for density, fresh infrastructure and more affordable housing.

The research was underpinned by responses gathered over a three-week period, including from 17 high school students, 15 industry focus group participants, and prominent business leaders.

The top issue among respondents was the need to decarbonise the state’s resources-reliant economy, with 70 per cent of respondents raising concern about the future of the environment.

The vast majority of those surveyed agreed the beaches and recreational spaces boasted by the nation’s fastest-growing capital city were among the best things about Perth’s laid-back lifestyle.

“Decision makers today won’t be around to really see the consequences of their actions or inaction. But we will.”

15-year-old survey respondent

But many feared that could be harmed by its warming climate, which could subsequently impact the tourism industry.

The number of summer days over 35 degrees is expected to double over the next 25 years, resulting in more volatile weather patterns detrimental to the tourism and agricultural industries.

The changing climate would also necessitate more health funding, with heat-related deaths in WA tipped to increase by more than 60 per cent by 2050.

Less than half of all respondents were satisfied with WA’s current sustainability measures and 40 per cent unconvinced WA will meet its legislated target of net zero emissions by the 2050 deadline.

The youngest respondents were the most concerned about the environment, expressing frustration over what they considered “lip service” and “bandaid solutions” and touting the need for the state government to shift to sustainable economic growth, even if it means short-term pain.

“Decision makers today won’t be around to really see the consequences of their actions or inaction. But we will. And so, we should be more involved in what gets done about it,” one 15-year-old respondent wrote.

The state government has vowed transition out of coal-fired power generation by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, but does not have a renewable energy target and is the only jurisdiction nationally where emissions are rising.

The need to address the city’s housing crisis was also a major theme throughout the report.

Almost half of the respondents believe the city needs more density, an increase on the 36 per cent recorded just three years ago.

Perth’s lack of density is in good part aided by urban sprawl that spans 150 kilometres of coastline and has it crowned the longest city in the world.

While respondents believed the sprawl has brought some livability benefits, most said it had been to the city’s detriment — increasing reliance on cars for lengthy commutes and the state now grappling with transport emissions and the need for infrastructure to address worsening traffic congestion.

More than three-quarters of respondents branded the housing market unaffordable, with 86 per cent stating addressing availability and affordability was critical.

Respondents also expressed concern about WA’s overreliance on the difficult to abate resources industry, especially amid a global movement towards renewable energy and curtailing carbon emissions.

More than 80 per cent of those surveyed want to see a more diverse economy.

The majority of participants also predicted Perth workplaces would have adopted a four-day workweek by 2050, by which time the population will have increased 50 per cent.

One-third of respondents were unsatisfied with the state’s public transport system, the standard of education and healthcare and the cultural and entertainment activities on offer in the city and almost as many did not see themselves living in Perth beyond 2050.

Less than half of those surveyed believed the city would have adopted flying cars and 59 per cent believed there would be supersonic flight.

Three-quarters of those surveyed placed importance on maintaining connection to country and Aboriginal culture in 2050, and many believed the city was not set up to allow its ageing population to remain in their communities.

The report findings mirrored those of Committee for Perth’s recent Powering Perth – The path to global recognition report by RSM Australia, which declared Perth would need to embrace apartment living, be more aggressive in its pursuit of green energy and shed its “Wait Awhile” approach to compete on the global stage.

Scitech chief executive John Chappell said the report advocated for urgent action on climate change and an expedited green energy transition while demonstrating the need for a human-centred approach to technology and innovation.

Committee for Perth chief executive Paula Rogers echoed Chappell’s sentiments and said she hoped the report would spark important conversations about the steps needed to capitalise on the city’s potential.

Report author and futurist Ben Hamer said the research underscored the need for the state to take action to avoid missing a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to redefine itself and evolve into a globally competitive city.

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