What We Thought Would Kill Us - Learnings and Recommendations

The Committee for Perth has released the latest report in its What We Thought Would Kill Us series, Learnings and Recommendations. The report consolidates and summarises the findings of seven case studies on the most controversial landmark projects in Perth’s recent history and provides 10 recommendations for future projects.

Key Findings

• Projects should be consistent with long-term strategic goals and objectives for the region and success is achieved through comprehensive, evidence based criteria including social, cultural and environmental costs and benefits.
• Some projects are more likely to be controversial than others, and include those in coastal/foreshore locations; sites with links to indigenous and/or European heritage values; in established residential and commercial areas; those with bold design; lack of bipartisan support; limited opportunity for public involvement; and existing concern regarding government decision-making in the area.
• Engaging with the community and Traditional Owners of the land early in a project process assists in awareness and acceptance. Benefits of community involvement include education, building community alliances, empowerment, skill development and improved understanding of government processes.
• Implementing best practice project management, procurement and funding models including cost benefit analysis for projects involving land use change and development is essential to avoid controversy and conflict and ensure efficient and effective implementation and outcomes.
• Elitism, environmental impacts, changes to local character or amenity and the impacts on transport and traffic were the main community concerns highlighted through the What We Thought Would Kill Us case studies. This highlights the importance of achieving a strong community mandate for landmark public projects and ensuring that these projects deliver broad ranging public benefits that outweigh potential impacts to local amenity and the environment.