Perth campaign launch part of $3m budget

The City of Perth has chipped away at its $3 million marketing budget, unveiling the first campaign under the "City of Lights" moniker and a major branding since the parliamentary inquiry.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas and the city's chief executive Michelle Reynolds today launched the 'Shine bright in the City of Light' campaign, which includes television ads, signage, and bus banners.

The campaign is one of 16 campaigns to be delivered for the city, under a $3 million allocation in the 2023/24 budget.

Ms Reynolds did not shy away from the city's controversial past, and the renewed focus after the inquiry into the administration of the local government.

"We did have a potted history, it's fair to say, two and a half years with commissioners and a city that was probably getting the sort of attention that none of us truly want," she said.

"[But] we are ready, having built on our review, reset, rebuild, and we are at the imagined stage."

Mr Zempilas said the city had record visitation numbers in December, with the campaign set to continue the rise.

“The City of Perth has just had its biggest summer season ever, and it’s a sign of bigger things to come – with Boorloo Heritage Festival kicking off next week, Lightscape locked in for winter at Kings Park and Plateful Perth back for its second year in August,” he said.

The launch of the campaign also comes off the back of the city council's decision to keep free night parking for a further 12 months, as voted on earlier this week.

However, the daytime parking fees will be increased to offset the loss from the free night parking, which was introduced a couple of years ago.

The council report shows the city lost about $5.1 million in revenue from allowing free night parking in the 2023/24 financial year.

The three-hour free parking initiative at three carparks around the city also led to $4.2 million in lost revenue, the report reads.