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| Perth central business district | |
|---|---|
| Type | suburb |
| Name | Perth central business district |
| State | WA |
| Caption | Perth skyline from Kings Park |
| Pop | 12748 |
| Postcode | 6000 |
| Area | 3.0 |
| Lga | City of Perth |
| Stategov | Perth |
| Fedgov | Perth |
Perth central business district is the core financial and administrative precinct of Perth, Western Australia, located on the north bank of the Swan River and adjacent to Kings Park, Northbridge, Western Australia and the Elizabeth Quay waterfront. The district functions as a hub for Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, ANZ, National Australia Bank and regional headquarters for mining companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto (corporation), Fortescue Metals Group and Woodside Petroleum. It hosts cultural institutions including the Perth Concert Hall, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum and sporting venues like Optus Stadium and WACA Ground.
The CBD occupies a peninsula between the Swan River and the urban grid of Perth defined by streets such as St Georges Terrace, Hay Street, Murray Street and William Street. Adjacent precincts include Northbridge, Western Australia to the north, West Perth to the west, East Perth to the east and Perth Cultural Centre to the northeast. Natural features and infrastructure boundaries include Swan River Colony historic shoreline, the Mitchell Freeway, the Perth Railway Station corridor and the Elizabeth Quay reclamation. The CBD sits within the City of Perth (local government area), the state electorate of Perth and the federal division of Perth.
European settlement began with the Swan River Colony in 1829 under James Stirling; early development centered on St Georges Terrace and the original Perth Town Hall. The gold rushes of the 1890s linked the CBD with companies such as Broken Hill Proprietary Company and catalyzed construction of institutions including the Perth Mint and Wesley Church, Perth. Twentieth-century growth saw transport projects like the Perth Railway Station expansions, the construction of the Narrows Bridge and later the Mitchell Freeway. Postwar planning influenced by figures such as Sir Charles Gairdner and policies of the State Housing Commission of Western Australia reshaped precincts of East Perth Redevelopment Authority and the Perth Waterfront redevelopment at Elizabeth Quay. Recent events include civic responses to the 2000s mining boom and projects led by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority.
The CBD is a centre for financial services with major offices of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corporation, ANZ Bank, National Australia Bank and boutique firms such as Perpetual Limited. Mining and energy corporations including BHP, Rio Tinto (corporation), Fortescue Metals Group, Woodside Petroleum, Santos Limited and Chevron Corporation maintain regional headquarters or offices. Legal firms operate near the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the State Administrative Tribunal, while professional services firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Ernst & Young and Deloitte occupy towers on St Georges Terrace. Retail corridors include the Hay Street Mall and the Murray Street Mall alongside department stores such as Myer (Australia) and hospitality venues tied to operators like Frasers Property and Crown Perth.
The CBD is served by heavy rail at Perth Railway Station, suburban lines including the Joondalup railway line, Fremantle railway line, Armadale railway line and Mandurah railway line, and by the Perth Busport integrated with the East Perth Terminal. The Perth Station precinct connects to the Transperth network and the SmartRider ticketing system. Major road arteries include St Georges Terrace, Roe Street, the Mitchell Freeway and the Causeway linking to Victoria Park, Western Australia. Active transport projects include the Perth Bicycle Network and pedestrianised spaces like the Murray Street Mall. Recent infrastructure works involve the Perth City Link rail trench project, the Elizabeth Quay transit interchange, and planning for Metronet suburban rail expansions.
Notable heritage and modern landmarks include St Georges Terrace high-rises such as the Central Park Tower, heritage buildings like the Perth Town Hall, Perth Mint, St Mary's Cathedral, Perth, and cultural sites including the Perth Concert Hall, His Majesty's Theatre and the State Library of Western Australia. Public spaces include Kings Park, Swan River foreshore, Elizabeth Quay with its inlet and public art, and plazas like Yagan Square. Architectural contributions from firms like Forrest Architects and projects such as Renaissance Tower and Chevron Tower reflect International Style influences and local adaptations; conservation listings protect sites under the Heritage Council of Western Australia.
The CBD abuts the Perth Cultural Centre, home to the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Western Australian Museum, WA Museum Boola Bardip, The Blue Room Theatre and performance venues including His Majesty's Theatre and the Perth Concert Hall. Nightlife spills into Northbridge, Western Australia with precincts governed by initiatives from the City of Perth and community organisations such as Perth Theatre Trust. Annual events and festivals utilise CBD venues, including the Fringe World Festival, Perth Festival, Sculpture by the Sea (Perth) and sports celebrations linked to Australian Football League matches and the Big Day Out history. Dining scenes feature chefs and restaurants associated with the Taste of Perth and hospitality groups like Dôme Coffee and Shake Shack.
Residential growth in the CBD accelerated with high-density projects by developers such as Mirvac, Lendlease, Stockland and Villawood Properties, creating mixed-use towers and apartment complexes near Hay Street Mall and Elizabeth Quay. Population shifts reflect census data managed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and planning oversight from the Western Australian Planning Commission. Urban renewal projects include the Perth City Link, East Perth Redevelopment, and precinct strategies by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and DevelopmentWA, balancing heritage conservation by the Heritage Council of Western Australia with infill development. Socioeconomic markers align with workplaces in banking, mining and professional services, and community services provided by organisations such as Beyondblue and St Vincent de Paul Society.