Western Australian Government opens consultation for planned Burswood entertainment and sport precinct

The Western Australian Government has opened consultation to the community, as well as sporting, cultural and community organisations to contribute their ideas on the design and development of the new multi-use community, entertainment and sporting precinct at Burswood Park.

The Western Australian Government has also released a request for proposal for contractors to lodge their interest in designing and delivering the new Burswood Entertainment and Sporting Precinct – a development that looks to transform the area into a popular recreational and tourism destination and position Perth as one of the major event capitals of the South East Asian region.

Included in the concept design is a new outdoor amphitheatre for live music and other events, with 15,000-20,000 capacity, complementing Burswood Park, Optus Stadium and Crown Perth.

WA Symphony Orchestra Board Member and former Perth Festival Artistic Director Iain Grandage shared "the amphitheatre promises to be a most extraordinary addition to the event spaces of Perth. A place of community and culture, where artists from around the globe or from amongst our own suburbs can celebrate and be celebrated."

The concept design also includes a new a multi-use track and multi-purpose building to support a wide range of sporting and music events, including cycling, triathlons, running festivals, paralympic racing, community sports and a once-a-year marquee motorsport festival.

Precinct design will incorporate Burswood Park’s 20 Year Vision, respond to relevant state planning policies and uphold and improve the Park’s garden amenity.

A key component of the project will also seek to address transport constraints to and from Optus Stadium, particularly for people with a disability.

The area will remain open to the public throughout the year when not in major event mode, with the project also offering the opportunity for the enhancement of the local environment and more community amenities, as well as better connectivity and access.

Alongside the consultation opening, a mailout is also being sent to more than 25,000 households throughout surrounding suburbs, encouraging residents to help shape the design of the precinct.

In addition, public drop-in forums and community feedback sessions will be conducted in the coming months, providing further opportunity for people to learn about the project and share their ideas.

To support the delivery of the Perth Entertainment and Sporting Precinct election commitment, $217.5 million will be allocated in the upcoming State Budget.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook notes "as part of this project, we will address a clear gap in Perth's music venue infrastructure and deliver permanent facilities to attract the best local and overseas artists. In addition, the street circuit will put WA on the global motorsport map.

"We look forward to hearing from everyone, so we can make sure we deliver a world-class precinct that benefits everyone, including the local community and the local environment."

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti added "our goal is to design a world-class precinct that can support Australian and international music, entertainment and sporting events, but is primarily an incredible community asset that everyone can enjoy.

"We committed to delivering a multi-use precinct open to everyone throughout the year, and that's why it's so important we get ideas from community and stakeholders on what facilities they'd like to see included, how they would like to use the precinct.”

For more information and to have input and contribute to helping shape the Perth Entertainment and Sporting Precinct, visit www.pesp.wa.gov.au