With Western Australian businesses finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain staff, the need for Perth to become a modern, dynamic and vibrant international city has never been greater.
The State's peak business group, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, has today released a landmark research paper highlighting the need for Perth to embrace change and aspire to become the internationally significant city it has the potential to be.
There is increasing recognition that WA, has the opportunity, to become globally significant courtesy of its economic, environmental and geographic advantages.
But to do so, Perth must position itself as an attractive and desirable place to live and work. Otherwise the city will not be able to attract and retain the people it needs to fully benefit from the economic opportunities that stand before the State.
CCI calculates WA will need an extra 400,000 workers over the next decade if the State's economic growth and prosperity are to be sustained. On current trends we will have a shortfall of 150,000 workers.
It's a challenge not unique to Western Australia. Countries across the world are also finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain workers. With a growing number of cities vying to lure a dwindling labour force, it is essential that Perth do all it can to be regarded as an international city of excellence.
CCI’s Perth Vibrancy and Regional Liveability discussion paper calls for a well planned and coordinated response from all levels of government, and the community, to realise Perth’s full potential.
The paper examines the importance of vibrancy from an economic perspective, and makes a number of recommendations, including -
- Encourage entrepreneurialism - We must recognise the importance of entrepreneurs in creating the economic and social dynamism that will propel future growth. The growth of small and medium business will be particularly important.
- Establish vibrancy centres - We should actively encourage clusters of activity, or vibrancy centres, where a mix of businesses can develop and create the social and commercial activity that attracts people.
- Establish a higher benchmark - Perth should see itself as a significant city on the international stage and aim to be one of the most liveable and vibrant in the world.
- An inspiring vision - Perth needs a vision for the type of city it is to be. This should centre on encouraging entrepreneurialism, developing hubs of excellence in areas of comparative advantage, and establish itself as a major business hub in the region.
- Ensure regional liveability - This can be achieved through providing basic infrastructure and enhance their areas of comparative advantage to stimulate long term growth.
CCI's research identifies small business as the "crack and fizzle" of vibrancy. To foster the creation of dynamic and vibrant communities, CCI urges state and local government to assist by providing the regulatory framework to encourage innovation and entrepreneurialism.
The report emphases the need to bring Western Australia’s retail trading hours laws into the 21st century. The state’s archaic regulations are an impediment to innovation, creativity and vibrancy. The laws are a barrier to competition by prescribing where and when people can shop.
However, the vibrancy debate should not exclusively focus on Perth. There is a pressing need for regional communities across the state, especially in areas with a strong resources focus, to
be provided with the resources, support and infrastructure to provide sustainable and desirable communities.
Housing shortages, a lack of essential and community services, and inadequate planning creates the risk that many regional centres may become little more than base camps for the resources sector.
Unfortunately, many regional communities have been unable to keep pace with the level of investment, partially because of its sheer size, but also because of critical failures in state and local government service delivery and coordination.
Regional development must be undertaken in an integrated fashion across different levels of government and different agencies, and in consultation with business and industry.
CCI calls on Western Australians to embrace this historic opportunity to build a city and State that aspires to be not only the best in Australia, but the best in the world.
Statement by CCI Chief Executive James Pearson