Perth Voice Interactive

PERTH’S sitting member John Carey has touted his efforts to drive significant infrastructure investments and community-focused projects in the area during his term in office. 

Reflecting on the past four years, Mr Carey emphasised his strong commitment to local schools, public spaces, and community projects.

“I’ve worked really hard with P&Cs, local community groups and the City of Vincent to get investment in infrastructure, whether it’s school improvements at Kyilla Primary School, investment in Robertson Park or other reserves, even down to the basics of building a toilet block at Birdwood Square,” Mr Carey said. 

“But one of the things that’s been really pleasing, which was a project I personally championed, is the Mount Hawthorn skate space. It has been incredibly popular. I’ve had overwhelmingly positive response, and ultimately that’s just about getting kids away from their screens and getting outdoors.”

Mr Carey also highlighted his advocacy for education, particularly his work in securing a new primary school in East Perth. “Another one that I’ve championed with Highgate P&C school board is to secure a new primary school,” he said. “It is the biggest single investment in a public primary school; more than $160 million for East Perth. It’s going to revitalise the east end of the city, provide amenities for residents.

“It’s been designed as a vertical primary school, which is unique, and it’s a city location,” he said. 

“It will be a signature primary school, and of course, it will just revitalise the area.”

The school will be part of a broader effort to revitalise the eastern precinct of Perth, where Mr Carey believes such amenities are essential to accommodate the growing population in the city centre.

As a member of the Cook Labor government, Mr Carey has also been involved in the redevelopment of key infrastructure projects, such as the WAACA redevelopment, which includes a new aquatic and recreational facility for local residents. 

However, the relationship between the state government and Perth’s lord mayor Basil Zempilas has been strained over those projects. With Mr Zempilas’s likely success as a candidate in the neighbouring seat of Churchlands, Mr Carey’s confident the relationship can be reset. 

“It’s sad to me that we had that conflict,” he said. “And I’m hopeful with potentially a new City of Perth leadership, that we can rebuild the relationship.”

Looking forward, Mr Carey identified housing as a major challenge for the electorate. The demand for housing in inner-city Perth has been escalating, and Carey has been a vocal advocate for affordable housing solutions. “We need more housing in the city areas to cater for the population growth that we’re seeing,” he said. “That’s why I have been a passionate advocate of new development right in the heart of the city.”

He pointed to specific projects, such as the new build-to-rent affordable housing in Pier Street and the Stirling Street redevelopment, which will provide a mix of social and affordable rentals. “For me, it is the ongoing challenge of creating density in the heart of the city, which in turn creates more vibrancy, safer streets, more support for small business,” he explained.

The affordability of housing in Perth has been impacted by market failure and rising construction costs. Mr Carey acknowledged these issues but reassured residents that the state government is responding by providing funding for key infrastructure. “The state government has, for example, created an infrastructure fund, which is actually helping to get private developers feeding the high-density projects off the ground,” he noted. “So we’ve got to do that. We’ve got to facilitate high, medium to high-density development in the heart of the city.”

One initiative Carey is particularly excited about is the relocation of Edith Cowan University’s City campus, which he believes will be a game-changer for the revitalisation of the area, especially Yagan Square. “ECU City campus is a massive investment by state and federal governments, and ECU will be a game changer for the city,” he said. “It’s going to have a major benefit in terms of foot traffic, people day and night. And of course, that’ll benefit Yagan Square.”

Carey is also committed to maintaining a strong connection with the local community. Throughout his career, he has made a point of engaging directly with residents, often through door-knocking sessions. 

“I’ve worked hard to remain highly engaged, accessible and active in the local community,” he stated. “I’ve continued to door knock most weekends. So I’ve done that for the past 12 years as the mayor and as the member, and I’ve really tried to remain acceptable and having face-to-face conversations,” he told the Voice.

by STEVE GRANT