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‘It’s a hot desert’: $55m Perth Cultural Centre green makeover to curb ‘heat island effect’
By Alex Condon
Perth Cultural Centre will undergo a $55 million revitalisation to improve the space’s greenery and shade and reduce “heat island effect”.
Urban heat island is when cities experience markedly higher temperatures compared with surrounding rural areas due to the abundance of buildings and less vegetation, an effect WA Planning Minister John Carey says he wants mitigated at the Northbridge precinct.
He announced the City Deal project with federal Perth Labor MP Patrick Gorman on Sunday, confirming $45 million will be invested by the state government and $10 million from Canberra.
Perth Cultural Centre will be rejuvenated with more green space and shading.Credit: WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
“It would be fair to say that the Perth Cultural Centre has seen better days,” Carey told reporters on Sunday.
“In the middle of summer, it’s a hot desert. It’s not an attractive place to be.
“And that’s particularly concerning given we have so many tourist and cultural centres right here.”
Works at the precinct, which comprises the Art Gallery of WA, WA Museum Boola Bardip, State Library of WA, The Blue Room, PICA (Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts) and the State Theatre Centre of WA, will commence in January 2025.
The precinct is home to galleries, museums, libraries and theatres.Credit: WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
As well as greening and shading, the Arts and Culture Trust-managed centre will also be given improved amenities including a new large video screen, services for pop-up event hospitality venues and improved lighting for safety during evening events.
Carey admitted that local businesses could be affected by the landscaping project, which could take up to two years to complete.
“With any change, particularly in a big public space like this, there will be impacts,” he said.
“But the agencies have been working with the existing businesses. My understanding is Picabar is very supportive of this change cos ultimately it’s going to create a much better place.
“We all know the heat island effect. The worst scenario is when you have concrete everywhere.
“I mean, currently, this is in the middle of summer, an awful place to visit.”
The WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries said the project’s design has been discussed with a range of stakeholders and community members, including a Whadjuk Elder Reference Group, the arts sector and local businesses.
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