PERTH CONCERT HALL REDEVELOPMENT UPDATE
The McGowan Government will deliver an extra $97.6 million towards the Perth Concert Hall redevelopment, securing the future of the iconic venue and giving the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) a permanent home.
The project will revitalise the 50-year-old heritage-listed Perth Concert Hall, ensuring the best possible experience for patrons from across the State and the world, while providing performing artists with new rehearsal spaces and better backstage facilities.
The redevelopment includes:
- preservation of the Perth Concert Hall’s world-renowned acoustic features;
- overdue essential structural maintenance of the award-winning building architecture;
- refurbishment of working areas used daily by resident company WASO;
- improved venue access for users, especially for people who live with disability; and
- transformed forecourts to make the outside useable for gatherings and festivals.
This major financial boost almost triples the total value of the project to $150 million, bringing the State Government’s contribution to $134 million – and building on the $12 million from the Australian Government and $4 million by the City of Perth.
With Architecture Studio and OMA were appointed lead architects in 2022. For this important redevelopment to take place safely, the Perth Concert Hall and its forecourts will need to be closed to the public during structural works which will commence in 2024.
The Perth Concert Hall redevelopment is one of the iconic WA projects that may be supported by contributions to the Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII). The RCII’s founding partners include Rio Tinto, BHP, Hancock Prospecting, Roy Hill, Atlas Iron, Woodside Energy, Chevron Australia and Mineral Resources, which together have committed $750 million.
Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:
“The Perth Concert Hall has been a WA icon since it opened 50 years ago.
“Our investment will see the venue deliver an even better experience for patrons and performers. Importantly, it will provide a permanent home to the WA Symphony Orchestra – our State’s largest employer of performing artists.
“This significant financial contribution will go a long way towards tackling structural maintenance issues that have come to light during the design phase.
“We can now guarantee a lasting and transformational impact on our premier musical venue.”
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
“We recently celebrated 50 years of performances at Perth Concert Hall and it’s important to ensure the heritage-listed performing arts venue can be enjoyed by future audiences for generations to come.
“Our Government’s huge funding announcement will be music to the ears of Perth Concert Hall patrons as well as WASO, who have called the venue home since 1973, and all of us who treasure this culturally significant community asset.
“Importantly, this refurbishment will increase our State’s arts and culture offerings and contribute to the recovery of Perth’s culture, arts, and tourism sectors beyond the pandemic.”
Comments attributed to CEO of West Australian Symphony Orchestra Paul Shannon:
“We are deligthed to see the commitment of this additional contribution to the Perth Concert Hall redevelopment, which is a fantastic reflection of the value seen in WASO, this iconic venue and our combined contribution to WA’s cultural landscape.
“Of particular importance to West Australian music-lovers is the assurance that the world-renowned acoustics of Perth Concert Hall will be protected. A true home for WASO and music in Western Australia is in sight.”
