Splendid metropolis ahead for Perth

Perth in 2020 should be an incredibly different place.

The recent boom has given rise to projects that are beginning or under way with expectations that continued resources wealth will fuel the next round.

Despite years in the wilderness, Perth is showing signs of becoming an international city, from designer fashion labels to up-market retail centres such as Enex100 and Wesley Quarter, to small bars, laneways and more restaurants.

On a bigger scale, State Government projects such as the waterfront, Riverside and Perth City Link will reshape the city and transform the way people use public amenities and open spaces in central Perth.

The three projects alone will generate 507,000sqm of commercial space and 6600 dwellings in the central business district, boosting the city's population, safety and vitality.

But in the coming years, a modern, multipurpose sports stadium and a quality WA museum will be needed, as will improved public transport that includes light rail, to service a booming population.

Ad hoc retail trading hours must also give way to seven-day trading city-wide if Perth wants to stand up as an international city, though the recent removal of caps on shopping centre floor space is likely to help create vibrant retail, residential and commercial hubs.

Though the State Theatre will open this year and the WA Symphony Orchestra plans a new facility under the Concert Hall, a performing arts precinct to showcase creative talent must be considered.

Premier Colin Barnett has told business leaders that Perth would take its "rightful place" as Australia's west coast capital and gateway to the Indian Ocean rim. But he conceded the city's development would make it busier and more congested, which would pose transport and planning challenges.

In the short-term, East Perth Redevelopment Authority plans to sink part of the Fremantle rail line are due to finish in 2014 and will pave the way for the 13.5ha Perth City Link, with Perth's City Square the centrepiece.

CityVision still believes the lack of a central park is an opportunity missed and think tanks agree removing the century-old barrier between Northbridge and the CBD is long overdue.

Work on redeveloping the Perth foreshore, which has been subject to no fewer than 12 publicly released concepts since 1988, should start next year with Mr Barnett staking his job on making it happen.

The 10 to 15-year development will cover nearly 10ha between Barrack and William streets with a 2.8ha inlet centrepiece to take the river back to near its original banks.

But so far only $21.5 million for design and technical investigations has been allocated from an estimated $300 million needed.

A task force reported on options for a parliamentary precinct and it is hoped a freeway cover will reconnect the city and Parliament House.

With EPRA's 10 to 15-year, $2.6 billion Riverside project - the first stage of which will be the flagship 4ha riverfront precinct - it would provide more attractive "bookends" to the city.

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said those plans, the City Square redevelopment and $584 million redevelopment of the Old Treasury and St George's Cathedral heritage precinct were projects that would transform Perth.

But bringing universities into the city, attracting five-star hotels and re-establishing entertainment drawcards such as cinemas were still challenges.

Ms Scaffidi, FuturePerth chairman Sean Morrison and Urban Development Institute of Australia chief Debra Goostrey said at least one stage of a light rail system into the city should be built by 2020.

"The railway line north is essential, but so too is the use of light rail to connect some of our busiest places, such as the corridor from south Perth to Curtin University," Ms Goostrey said.

The other "must-dos" were a multipurpose stadium and a state-of-the-art WA Museum.

CityVision chairman Ken Adam said WA should not be afraid to build on its prosperity and invest in the capital city.

He said "first-class" cultural institutions and centres of excellence would also boost Perth's world-class standing.

The $500 million City of Perth plan for a performing arts precinct may not be the ultimate solution, but most cultural groups believe the ballet, opera and orchestra should be based close together.