The Western Australian government has unveiled the first designs for Perth Park, a new premier entertainment and sporting precinct set to transform WA’s Burswood Peninsula.
This $217.5 million project will create a vibrant hub for live music, sport, entertainment, and community activities, delivering sustained economic benefits to the state.
According to an independent business case by Australian economics consultancy ACIL Allen, Perth Park is expected to generate $61 million in economic activity annually, with a strong benefit-cost ratio of 1.84, underscoring its value for the Western Australian community and economy.
The design of Perth Park incorporates extensive community and stakeholder feedback, featuring a range of new facilities.
Central highlights include Perth’s first dedicated outdoor amphitheatre with a capacity for up to 12,000 attendees, a versatile multi-use building for events, functions, and meetings with scenic views of the city and parklands, and a multi-use track designed to support cycling and an annual motorsport street circuit event.
The precinct will also include two indoor courts equipped for disability sports such as basketball, badminton, rugby, and tennis.
A new hospitality venue is proposed, with an expression of interest process launching this week to secure private sector operators.
A significant emphasis is placed on landscaping and green space enhancement, with plans to introduce up to 150,000 new plants and more than double the tree canopy.
This includes the creation of an urban forest in the southeast of the park, designed to improve shade, visual amenity, and provide a welcoming environment for large-scale festivals and family events year-round.
The extensive greening aims to foster a rich ecological setting that complements the precinct’s entertainment and sporting facilities.
Premier Roger Cook described Perth Park as “Western Australia’s premier entertainment and sporting precinct”, highlighting its integration with existing landmarks such as Belmont Park Racecourse, Crown Perth, Optus Stadium, and the State Tennis Centre.
He emphasised its role in the ongoing revitalisation of the Burswood Peninsula and its contribution to economic diversification through job creation in tourism, sport, and the arts.
Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti stressed the importance of community consultation in shaping the precinct’s design, referring to it as “a world-class hub for community, entertainment, culture, arts, and sport” that promises significant economic returns.
Parliamentary Secretary Daniel Pastorelli encouraged public feedback, describing Perth Park as an “activated parkland precinct” that will inspire year-round community participation and deliver long-term economic and social benefits.
The project team, consisting of Seymour Whyte, Civmec, and Aurecon, has worked closely with the Office of Major Infrastructure Delivery to integrate community input into the detailed plans.
Construction is scheduled to commence early next year, with the park expected to open in 2027.
The ACIL Allen business case has been referred to Infrastructure Western Australia for assessment ahead of this timeline.
Perth Park will establish a multipurpose entertainment and sporting precinct that strengthens Western Australia’s ability to host a diverse range of major events, boosting tourism, business activity, and community engagement.
