Sandy Anghie for the Tech Sector
Week 3 Campaign Update.
Three weeks since I launched my campaign for the role of Perth Lord Mayor to be decided at the 21 October 2023 City of Perth Council election - and it’s been busy!
I have been out in the community talking to local residents and businesses and getting their direct feedback on what the City can do better. Because great cities of the world are always striving to be better.
Thank you to everyone who has reached out to catch up, volunteer, or just stay in touch. Details on how to get in touch or get involved via link here.
Tech Action Plan
On the agenda for the June 27th City of Perth Ordinary Council Meeting is the City of Perth Tech Action Plan.
The City of Perth’s Tech Action Plan started as a Notice of Motion I put forward in November 2021. My Notice of Motion called for the city to develop a Tech Action Plan and to investigate ways to attract and support local, interstate and overseas tech businesses. This was supported at the time by a majority of councillors.
As Perth Lord Mayor, I would make support for the local tech sector a key priority, if elected at the October 2023 election. Encouraging tech startups will help diversify Perth’s economy and help attract and retain young people - making our city a more desirable place to live, work and visit.
With 60% of the world’s population currently living within one hour of Perth’s time zone, it’s vital that we seize the opportunities afforded by our geography, the impending ECU City Campus, and the existing strategies of the State and Federal Government to encourage tech startups and economic diversity.
While the City has provided support to Tech sector initiatives, other Australian cities are way ahead of the game. Sydney has a global reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship and has the highest concentration of startups in Australia.
Melbourne is working hard to attract more startups. The City of Melbourne has seen significant growth from 1,000 startups in 2016 to over 3,000 in 2023 - employing 52,000 people. The total Melbourne ecosystem valuation has jumped 43% in the past year to $36.9 million.
If Perth wants to retain local talent, and attract national and international innovators, it must step up, collaborating with the State Government and the sector.
There is fierce international competition for the jobs and economic benefits that the startup sector is creating. But, with the right leadership, the City of Perth can seize this moment.
Focusing on a City of Neighbourhoods; a 24 Hour City
I am focused on continued, progressive improvements to each of our unique city neighbourhoods, to support population growth and to create a 24-Hour City. Because a 24-Hour City is a vibrant and safe city.
Here’s some of the feedback I have received in the neighbourhoods I have visited so far:
In the Hay Street Mall, people would like to see more alfresco and, of course, fewer shut shops.
Around the Murray Street Mall, Grand Lane and the northern end of Barrack Street are problematic.
In West Perth, people love it between 9am and 2pm but it turns into a ghost town after that.
On Hampden Road, people would like to see beautification of the streetscape and parking issues sorted.
In Northbridge, some think it feels safest and most alive during the Fringe Festival.
In East Perth, residents would like to see more restaurants and activity along Adelaide Terrace.
Recently announced City of Perth incentives for our CBD neighbourhood, working together with State Government concessions, are essential to kick start residential development in the current construction environment, increasing the future supply of apartments to buy and rent in the CBD.
City of Perth incentives for our CBD (to commence on 1 July 2023) include waiving all City fees for new residential development applications, and a 3-year 50% residential rate reimbursement for eligible developments.
State Government concessions include 50% land tax exemption for eligible build to rent and transfer duty rebate for eligible off-the-plan apartment purchases.
But people need to want to live in the City. Great neighbourhoods and a sense of community is critical for this.
A true 24-Hour City is inclusive of all people: it’s not just night clubs, bars, or specialist retail - it’s community centres, green spaces and family friendly areas. This is more than an area of economic opportunity for the city: It’s an opportunity for all of our neighbourhoods to foster their own unique nighttime identity, in concert with the City of Perth, business and community organisations.
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I will be announcing a range of further commitments over the coming months. And I will be listening to you - our City’s residents, businesses and community groups. I look forward to hearing your ideas and feedback.
I will be back in touch with regular campaign updates. In the meantime, here is a link to my campaign website.
If you would like to hear more about my campaign platform, or have your own ideas about what the City could do better, I would be pleased to catchup. Please don’t hesitate to reach out via helloperth@sandyanghie.com
And don’t forget to enroll to vote to have your say on 21 October 2023. Because a vote for Sandy Anghie as Lord Mayor is a vote for a modern, progressive city, that truly grabs the opportunities in front of it.
The best way forward for Perth is together.