Perth University’s $695m CBD Campus Project Wins Approval

DevelopmentWA has approved Edith Cowan University’s Perth CBD campus project, ECU City, as part of the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal.

The billion-dollar collaboration is between the federal government, the Western Australian government and the City of Perth.

The university has also recently closed its call for tenders on the project, it is expected the successful tenderers will be announced in February 2022.

Construction on the 8078sq m ECU City site will start in the second quarter of 2022 with early site works. It will be one of Perth’s largest building projects under way.

It is scheduled to open in July 2025.

The $695-million, 11-storey development will host the Founding Pianos collection and also be the home of Kurongkurl Katitjlin, the Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research.

Vice-chancellor professor Steve Chapman said that the new ECU City campus was a chance to create the university of the future and explore what it could achieve.

“We look forward to the construction phase of this project and the creation of one of the most dynamic, innovative and technologically advanced university campuses in the southern hemisphere,” he said.

The ECU City project will connect to Yagan Square in the Perth CBD, linking the commercial and cultural precincts of more than 8000sq m with a total campus space of more than 60,000 square metres.

The facility is planned to become a hub for technology, creativity and business with the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) relocating to it.

WAAPA has five venues and produces more than 300 public performances a year.

The site will also be the home of the School of Science, and broadcasting, film and production studios.

Chapman said the project would have a positive impact on the city.

“ECU City is set to revitalise the Perth CBD by supporting more than 3100 direct and indirect jobs during its construction and attracting more than 9000 students and staff from 2025,” he said.

That number is projected to grow to more than 11,000 students and staff by 2030 and it is expected to generate more than $7.58 billion in that period.