Perth and Western Australia in general is in the midst of an ambitious development plan, and there's every reason to believe it's destined for success. After all, the West has a storied history of delivering monumental projects that have shaped its destiny.
Today, a thriving economy is luring more people to the West than any other capital city, with a population growth rate of 2.3%, outpacing the national average of 1.9%.[1] Even post-COVID, the CBD is experiencing a resurgence, drawing people back faster than other cities.[2] The West is witnessing significant investments in active and public transport systems, office towers, educational institutions, and a revitalisation and reimagining of retail precincts and public spaces. The mantra, "West is Best," has never seemed truer.
Behind these impressive statistics lies a fundamental driver that cannot be quantified merely in numbers: the West's legacy of pioneering projects that others may dare contemplate, let alone implement. Take, for instance, the Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, which kicked off in 1898. This audacious endeavour involved constructing a 566-kilometre pipeline to transport water from Perth's foothills to the arid goldfields of Kalgoorlie. Initially dismissed as unrealistic and costly, five years later, water flowed into the Mount Charlotte Reservoir. Over a century later, this pipeline stands as an international engineering marvel, akin to the Golden Gate Bridge and the Panama Canal.[3]
Much like the Goldfields Scheme was “pivotal in growing the confidence and economic importance” of Western Australia at the turn of the last century, today's ongoing and planned projects underscore the state's renewed significance as a hub for living, working, and playing.[4]
This commitment to infrastructure investment and development while driving economic growth, also delivers tangible utility to the lives of Western Australians every day. It’s an outcome that resonates strongly with oOh!media.
As Australia’s largest Out of Home media company, our mission is to make public spaces better for all citizens. We collaborate with many landlords across Western Australia, providing financial and infrastructure support to the local economy. We also engage with over 20 state and local government entities to deliver advertising-funded infrastructure where it's needed most. Looking ahead, we intend to deepen these relationships in ever more innovative ways.
Today, as commuters step off their buses on their daily journeys, they encounter public art and local council messages on our bus shelters. As they return to their office towers, they catch up on news, sports, and weather updates displayed on our lift screens.
Looking ahead we will extend our contribution to WA's success. As over 25,000 students and educators flood into the newly constructed campuses of Western Australian universities in the coming years, oOh! will capture their attention with contextually relevant content, university information, and public messages on our digital screens. And as governments launch street greening initiatives to reduce heat island effects and deliver more sustainable infrastructure, our 'living roof' bus shelters will provide protection from the elements, while also housing local plants and in-built water capture facilities to address other environmental challenges.
As Perth continues to grow, we will continue to play our part in its ongoing evolution. Whether through economic contributions, infrastructure development, sustainable practices, or the dissemination of important public messages, as a small piece of the modern day ‘pipeline’, we know that working with our partners can create shared value for Western Australia.
Sources:
1. Population growth: https://www.uwa.edu.au/news/Article/2023/July/New-data-reveals-WAs-population-is-bigger-than-thought
2. https://thewest.com.au/news/perth/workers-returning-to-offices-in-perth-cbd-faster-than-any-other-capital-city--c-9055273
3. Perth/ Innovation history – water pipeline: https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/on-this-day/2013/11/on-this-day-goldfields-pipeline-opens/
4. https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/goldfields-water-supply-scheme#:~:text=The%20Goldfields%20Water%20Supply%20Scheme,Weir%20to%20the%20Eastern%20Goldfields
