Riverfront Masterplan
The Swan River is one of Perth’s greatest assets and with the State Government committing to a redevelopment of the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre (revitalising one part of the waterfront) we want to start the conversation about how best we can all enjoy the rest of Perth’s riverfront.
The Perth riverfront has the potential to be a world-class destination that better connects our modern city to the stunning natural surrounds of the Derbarl Yerrigan / Swan River. The City has developed a draft Masterplan designed to reimagine the riverfront as a contemporary area that caters for a growing city and delivers a world-class river park for everyone to enjoy.
Informed by a series of technical studies and extensive early community and stakeholder engagement, the Masterplan blends culture, nature, biodiversity, play and leisure. It incorporates 2.2 kilometres of foreshore including the Supreme Court Gardens, Terrace Road Car Park, Langley Park, Point Fraser and Ozone Reserve, Riverside Drive and the shared path and verge adjacent to the river’s edge, as well as the foreshore to the east of the Causeway up to Matagarup Bridge.
This visionary initiative presents a unique opportunity for collaboration between all tiers of Government to enhance how the city integrates with the riverfront, creating lasting benefits for all.
This phase of community and stakeholder engagement for the DRAFT Riverfront Masterplan has now come to a close. The City will now consider next steps for the project in the context of major state government projects such as the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Barrack Square Redevelopment and Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre.
For more information on the engagement process, please refer to the Riverfront Masterplan Engage Perth page.
The draft Riverfront Masterplan can be viewed here.
Frequently asked questions
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Why has the City prepared the draft Masterplan?
The Riverfront has long been identified for its unrealised potential as a world class park and destination.
Several strategic documents have identified actions for the City to develop a masterplan including the City of Perth Local Planning Strategy 2023 (endorsed by WAPC), the Perth Water Buneenboro Action Plan (DBCA and Swan River Trust), the City’s Corporate Business Plan (2023/24) and Urban Greening Strategy (2023-2036).
Additionally, the City is responsible, under the City of Perth Act, to promote the city locally and globally as the state capital, driving economic development, tourism, culture and innovation, promoting precinct level initiatives across the city.
The City has led this project, informed by the community to progress the development of this place in the best interests of both the local community and all Western Australians.
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What has driven the timing of the Masterplan?
The Perth foreshore was formed by a massive land reclamation project over 100 years ago, primarily to create a large civic and recreation space for a modern, civilised city. Many design proposals since then have resulted in Supreme Court Gardens, the Narrows Freeway Interchange and Elizabeth Quay.
The river wall and drainage network are failing and require renewal. Langley Park and Riverside Drive flood during high tide events and inclement weather. These issues will be further aggravated by the predicted 0.7m rise in river levels by 2100. The need to replace this infrastructure presents an opportunity to rethink the area’s purpose and function for the future of Perth.
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What will the Masterplan be used for?
The Masterplan provides a vision for our riverfront area to guide the City’s future planning and budgeting for components of the plan the City is able to fund and deliver on its own.
It also provides a vision for the State government to consider in the planning and delivery of its key projects along the Riverfront, including the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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What work has already been done on this project?
Above is an overview of the work that has been undertaken so far in the development of the Masterplan.
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What was the outcome of previous consultation about Perth Riverfront?In 2020, the City of Perth undertook community and stakeholder engagement to inform the future of Perth’s Riverfront. The findings of that consultation can be seen here.
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What happens after the consultation has closed?The City will now consider next steps for the project in the context of major projects such as the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
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When will the project be built?
The Masterplan is a framework and long term vision for the future of the Riverfront that can only be realised in partnership with the State government and other stakeholders Further detailed investigations, technical studies, design and approvals are required before anything can be built.
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Langley Park is an A-Class reserve. What does this mean?A-Class status protects Langley Park’s use as “Parks, gardens and recreation”, ensuring its primary ongoing use as public open space. Building or development is permitted which support this land use. Any development is subject to approval by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage, at the time of development application.
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Several sites within the Masterplan area are heritage listed. What does this mean?Responding to the site’s rich heritage requires ongoing engagement, understanding, planning and design. The City commissioned a Cultural Heritage Assessment for the site in 2020 which has informed the design process and identifies opportunities for the project to celebrate the site’s rich cultural heritage. Any development is subject to approval by the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage.