Vincent mayor’s urgent call to unlock East Perth Power Station precinct as more than festival grounds

The City of Vincent mayor wants the full potential of the long-dormant East Perth Power Station precinct unlocked after another successful Perth Festival season. More than 34,000 people passed through the precinct during this year’s festival, which was held for the second year in a row at the heritage-listed site. Vincent mayor Alison Xamon said the turnout showed Perth was ready to see the area transformed into a vibrant, year-round destination. “The crowds, the atmosphere and the enthusiasm we’ve witnessed over these past two years tells us something important: Perth is ready for the East Perth Power Station precinct to be brought to life,” she said. “But festivals alone won’t unlock the precinct’s future.” Ms Xamon said progress had been slowed by a lack of investment and co-ordination. “What’s holding us back is not imagination or demand, it’s basic investment and a proactive approach to working with other parties willing to invest not just money, but ideas and creativity,” she said. For years, plans for the site have been overshadowed by the costly and complex task of asbestos remediation within the main building. Ms Xamon said that although the work was essential, it should not delay the activation of the surrounding land. “There is no reason the surrounding land can’t be activated right now,” she said. The City of Vincent was granted management of land along the river in late 2024, and is pushing for more investment in infrastructure and green spaces. Ms Xamon said immediate improvements to the precinct could include a new jetty to support future access and upgrades to Windan Bridge through lighting and public art. However, she said a major barrier to activate the precinct was pedestrian safety. “Each time there is an event at the Power Station, or at Optus Stadium, hundreds of people attempt to cross East Parade with no safe route,” she said. In the 2022-23 State Budget, $35 million was allocated for an East Perth pedestrian footbridge which didn’t eventuate. “The lack of safe pedestrian crossing is holding back the precinct’s potential,” Ms Xamon said. “These two ideas alone are not particularly radical; they are sensible steps that unlock access and visibility.” Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the precinct’s use during the Perth Festival had been a clear success. “Using the heritage-listed East Perth Power Station for the Perth Festival has been an overwhelming success, as evidenced by the tens of thousands of people who enjoyed the venue recently,” he said. “DevelopmentWA has continued to remediate the site and relocate gas and power infrastructure works, including relocating gas and power services to enable interim uses of the site.” With the festival set to return next year, Ms Xamon said the continued interest in the arts community should give decision-makers confidence to act. “Additional investment from the State Government is essential, and there is also an opportunity for philanthropic leadership and commercial operators to play a role in realising a vision that benefits the whole city,” she said. “The appetite to do something is there. The ideas are there. The artists and the promoters are there. “What we need now is for decision makers to let those of us who want to make this happen to do exactly that.”