The Dullsville tag irks many people in Perth but it refuses to go away. WA Business News responded to this problem by convening a forum of liquor, hospitality and tourism industry leaders to discuss what should be done about it.
The introduction of more liberal liquor licensing rules, increased development activity along the river and the coast, and the creation of vibrant activity hubs are some of the key changes needed in Perth to shake off the Dullsville tag.
Participants in the WA Business News forum agreed that Western Australia needs a package of changes, and that individual measures will not turn around the state’s reputation.
The liquor licensing reforms proposed earlier this year by an independent review committee are seen as important steps but not enough on their own.
The Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of WA’s executive director, Terry Bright, doesn’t mince his words when offering suggestions.
“The number one area that needs development in Perth if we want to kill that Dullsville tag is to rejuvenate that foreshore, all the way from Burswood to Fremantle,” Mr Bright said.
“And let’s head up the coast, and make something out of Scarborough and Cottesloe.”
Forum participants said there was a big need for decisive leadership from the Gallop government.
Tourism Council chief executive Ron Buckey believes there is a great desire to see development of the Perth foreshore, but he said it had been held up by poor leadership, too many restrictions and too much red tape.
“We pander to the minority groups around this state,” Mr Buckey said. “We need to get on with development.”
As well as developing the river foreshore, Mr Buckey is keen for Scarborough to be developed as the next tourism hub.
Perth Convention Exhibition Centre chief executive Paul D’Arcy believes the state government should look to Sydney for inspiration.
“The government needs to take the bull by the horns like [former NSW minister] Laurie Brereton did in Sydney with the development of Darling Harbour,” he said.
The development of Darling Harbour in the 1980s was highly controversial yet now it is one of the main attractions in Sydney, for locals and visitors alike.
Australian Hotels Association WA chief executive Bradley Woods said Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne had all created popular entertainments precincts by the waterfront.
“Even Hobart has done it better in recent years in terms of developing waterfront activity and tourism and hospitality infrastructure,” he said.
Cooper Partners principal and WA Opera chairman Frank Cooper spoke for many people in Perth when he recalled meeting a Sydney taxi driver who described Perth as a retirement village.
“My wife took great offence at the time, but when you spend a bit of time there and you go to places like Darling Harbour and The Rocks, even as a parochial West Australian she lamented the fact that Perth does not have that flexibility and vibrancy,” Mr Cooper said.
Perth Education City chief executive Mike Ryan said the lack of vibrancy in Perth made it harder to attract international students here.
A survey of 1,300 international students found that, while a clear majority would recommend Perth, a significant minority described the city as “boring and dull”.
“If we could create more vibrant opportunities for students, that would undoubtedly make us more appealing,” Mr Ryan said.
He believes an “absolute must” for Perth is to create something on the foreshore, preferably with a mix of attractions for different age groups, and linkages between two major assets, the river and Kings Park.
“The sort of place where you say to visitors – ‘you have to go there’.”
Jim Freemantle, who chaired the liquor licensing review, agrees that the development of entertainment ‘nodes’ is far more important than details of liquor licences.
“Get that riverfront and a few places that are decent precincts developed, then argue about how you licence whoever goes in there,” he said.
“The licensing follows, the basic infrastructure has to be there.”
Mr Freemantle suggested that the linkage between Barrack St and South Perth created a natural development opportunity that was superior to other places in Perth.
“Northbridge is a hole, it’s a bunch of cross streets with nothing to commend it,” he said.
“Fremantle has got a chance because it’s got some decent, natural attraction.”
Tourism WA manager Rick Thomas believes there is a close link between liquor licensing reform and the creation of more vibrant precincts in Perth.
For instance, he would like to see increased development of cafes and restaurants and other licensed premises along the river, to give people a whole range of experiences.
He also thinks it is important for people to be able to drop into a cafe on the spur of the moment and have a glass of wine or a beer, without having to buy a meal, as recommended by Mr Freemantle’s committee.
Mr Woods believes part of the roblem is the way in which the Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor interprets the current law.
“It has a culture – not an act, not regulations – it has a culture that it is not supportive of seeing a vibrant, exciting liquor industry,” Mr Woods said.
This interpretation was rejected by the department’s director-general, Barry Sargeant, who said it was simply applying the current law.
Mr Sargeant noted that the “primary object” of the Liquor Licensing Act was to “regulate the sale, supply and consumption of liquor” and to “minimise harm or ill health”.
Development of tourism and hospitality was defined as a secondary object.
Mr Sargeant said that some issues blamed on the department, such as the inability of some cafes to sell alcohol in al fresco areas, had more to do with the policies of local government authorities.
He also challenged the popular view that the department’s approach effectively allowed individual residents to “shut down” live music venues.
He said the policy had changed in 1998, so that individuals could give notice to a licensee, whereas previously 10 residents had to give notice.
In practice, he said this had no effect because the department previously considered applications by individuals.