WA Reveals First Special Entertainment Precinct

Perth is following Sydney’s lead, planning the creation of Western Australia’s first Special Entertainment Precinct designed to boost the night-time economy and bring developers greater certainty in mixed-use areas.

The state government has backed reforms for Northbridge—a “cultural hub” five minutes from Perth’s CBD—introducing new planning rules to balance residential growth with the suburb’s entertainment scene.

The reforms amend the City of Perth planning scheme to establish a special control area to require sensitive uses such as student housing, residential and short-stay accommodation to incorporate noise attenuation measures. 

The amendments also include guidance on where short-stay and residential housing can be within the precinct. 

New short-stay accommodation and purpose-built student housing will be allowed in the core and frame areas of the precinct, while new residential will be allowed in the frame and transition areas.

The Western Australian Planning Commission is also preparing guidance on Special Entertainment Precincts for other local governments who may wish to pursue SEPs in the future.

Greater Perth’s population is forecast to grow from 2.6 million to 3.5 million people by 2050. Locations such as Northbridge are likely to bear a large proportion of not only housing the growing population but also providing entertainment for them.

Northbridge is home to a diverse mix of land uses. That includes the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum. It also features boutique shopping along William Street. 

▲ Western Australian Museum Boola Bardip in Northbridge.

In addition to its bar and club culture, major events in the suburb include the Perth International Arts Festival, Carnival Latino, Perth Food and Wine Festival and the Pride Parade.

This mix can “sometimes lead to unintended conflict between entertainment and residential uses”, according to the government.

“These reforms maintain the character of entertainment areas and provide an increased level of assurance to venue operators and the live music industry, while also facilitating opportunities for short and long-term accommodation options,” it said.

Special Entertainment Precincts have been established along the eastern seaboard to help transition areas from entertainment and culture to residential. 

Most recently, a precinct in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney was approved, paving the way for Manly’s growth as a mixed-use suburb with the likes of Brisbane’s Felons Brewing Co. of Howard Smith Wharves fame moving in.