FACTBase Bulletin 18 - Perceptions of Urban Elites on Four Australasian Cities: How does Perth compare?

This paper explores perceptions of the urban elite – business people, policy makers and academics – on the Australasian cities of Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland.

Key Findings

• This FACTBase Bulletin presents the findings of a comparative study on perceptions amongst policy makers, business leaders, and academics on four large cities in the Australasian region, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Auckland.
• This dynamically growing region is characterised by economic and population growth rates, strong export performance, and by large, high quality of life ratings.
• Every respondent stated an opinion; a finding that shows that in a globalising world people are becoming highly aware of other places.
• Perth has been mostly associated with rapid wealth creation on the back of a fast growing mining industry.
• Yet, Perth is almost as strongly linked to its well cited geographical isolation and remoteness.
• While cultural attributes of newness and immaturity featured relatively prominently, it is perhaps somewhat unexpected that several respondents acknowledged positive planning outcomes and progressive urban renewal initiatives in Perth.