Templeman forms culture taskforce

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman has announced the formation of a cultural precinct taskforce, ahead of WA Museum’s reopening in late 2020.

The taskforce, to be chaired by Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, John Carey, will oversee short-term maintenance and activation strategies as well as long-term improvements to the Perth Cultural Centre.

Managed by the Perth Theatre Trust, the PCC features key cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of WA, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Blue Room Theatre and the State Library of Western Australia.

Picabar, a popular destination in the PCC, was notably granted a five-year lease in October to remain in the centre, with Mr Templeman at the time highlighting the need for more hospitality options in the vicinity.

In addition to Mr Carey, the taskforce will feature as-yet-unnamed representation from government departments, Tourism WA and the City of Perth.

Mr Templeman emphasised the need for unified vision for the PCC in forming the taskforce.

"The state government is working to create a space that welcomes tourists and brings together the local community,” he said.

Mr Carey said he was passionate about activating the PCC and honoured to chair the taskforce.

“Cultural tourism is the fastest growing tourism sector and the Perth Cultural Centre has enormous potential to capture more of this,” he said.