Perth Cable Car to boost tourism spending and create jobs

A proposal for a cable car connecting Perth’s Elizabeth Quay to Kings Park would inject $30.5 million in new tourism spending into the Western Australian economy and create 340 jobs.

The plan, which would require $80 million in private investment, would, according to its proponent, Tourism Council WA, be a major attraction to bring together new developments such as Perth Stadium, new hotels, Elizabeth Quay and other major precincts.

Launched last week in Tourism Council WA’s Missing Pieces: Perth Cable Car document, the proposal says that the ride would be a landmark experience for Perth - similar to the Sydney Bridge Climb or the London Eye - attracting 648,000 riders.

Of these riders, it’s expected 50% would be West Australians, 30% would be international visitors and 20% from interstate.

Introducing the proposal, Tourism Council WA Chief Executive Evan Hall stated “what is missing is a signature attraction which will become the city’s must-do experience, encouraging more visitors to stay longer and spend more.

“A Perth Cable Car from Elizabeth Quay to Kings Park would increase the appeal of Perth as a destination.”

Tourism Council WA believes that the building and operation of the Perth Cable Car can be fully funded by the private sector, with Hall explained “we do not need government funding, we do not want government funding. The Cable Car should be a commercial enterprise.

“Research shows that visitors to Australian capital cities who use tourist rides and man-made attractions, like cable cars, stay longer in their destination.

“This additional expenditure is a conservative estimate, as it only takes into consideration the additional expenditure from visitors extending their stay – there would also be further expenditure from new visitors who are drawn to Perth by this unique attraction.”

A preliminary study by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority found the cable car system was “technically feasible” and “commercially viable without government funding”.

Independent economic analysis by AECGroup showed the additional tourism expenditure generated by a Perth Cable Car would create approximately $39.2 million in gross value added activity, $0.71 million in State taxation revenue and 340 jobs.

Hall said it was imperative for the Western Australia Government to bring together all relevant agencies involved in approving the Perth Cable Car in a whole-of-government approach to select the route and expedite the approvals process.

Other developments flagged by the Tourism Council are an expansion of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and ‘branding, marketing and events’ to fill entertainment precincts, hotels and restaurants.

Image: An artists impression of the Perth Cable Car - commissioned by the Tourism Council WA. The proposed cable car will run from Kings Park to the city foreshore.

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