Perth is growing. Rapidly.
Business News 7 Dec 1995
printer friendly versionWe now have 1.2 million people in the metro area. By 2026, we will likely have 2 million.
Should Perth's growth be slowed down? Do we want to become Australia's second global city, after Sydney? Startling as this sounds, Perth is becoming Australia's only other city which focuses outside our nation rather than within.
A global city is an exciting dynamic trade centre with international business people and ideals flowing continuously in and out.
A global city also has international expectations on local resources, such as housing, transport, and all the human services.
Can you imagine Perth having the same costs of housing, food, parking, office and retail accommodation as inner Sydney?
Or having the same concerns of personal safety and security, of social problems like drug abuse, of diminishing sense of community and belongingness?
Or having the same rates and taxes to pay for the increased infrastructure support needed by a global city to adequately interact more intensely with the rest of the world?
That is the down side of the globalisation of Perth. The up side includes increased cultural sophistication and choice, increased employment opportunities, increased overseas business development potential , and a higher standard of living.
Please note that I did not say a higher quality of life. This is probably the key question to ask yourself when considering the rapid growth of Perth and southwest region of the state.
How far are we prepared to compromise our very high quality of life for economic development leading to a higher standard of living ?
Now is the time to ask these questions and make your answer known to the WA Planning Commission, or your local state politician, or your local council. Anyone, in fact, involved in the political process of planning.
Now is the time because the WA Planning Commission has several planning strategy documents available for public comment. These documents present the basis of this state's growth directions for the next 30 years.
The topics include Population, The Community, Transport, Public Utilities & Services, The Economy, Environment & Natural Resources, Managing Growth, and The Regions.
There must be something there that you care about ! You have until Friday 9th February, 1996 to speak up.
Get the discussion papers from the office of the Ministry for Planning (469 Wellington St) or phone 264 7737.
Remember, the future does not just happen. People make the future. Perth's future for the next 30 years is being planned now. Read about it. Think about it. Talk about it. Plan it.
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