James Street has been the spine of Perth’s nightlife for as long as most Perth locals can remember, and the City of Perth Council has just signed off on a $22.8 million plan to overhaul it. The Final Concept Plan for the James Street Revitalisation was passed at Tuesday’s council meeting, which means the street that runs through the middle of Northbridge is now locked in for significant upgrades, with construction set to commence in 2028.
The plan covers James Street from Fitzgerald Street to William Street, including the stretch connecting Russell Square, Northbridge Piazza, and the entrance to the Perth Cultural Centre. The headline changes are more trees and greenery, wider footpaths, upgraded lighting, new paving and street furniture, new public artworks, and infrastructure built in to allow temporary street closures for major events.
James Street already shuts down regularly for many major events, but doing so currently requires significant logistics. Building event infrastructure into the street itself is smart and suggests the City of Perth is planning to welcome more big events to Northbridge.
The plan was shaped by community consultation that ran through 2024 and 2025, including an online Engage Perth survey and a community drop-in session at Northbridge Piazza in July last year. Feedback from that process pushed strongly for better lighting and safety, more greenery, improved cleanliness, and greater recognition of the cultural diversity that has defined Northbridge for decades.
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First major upgrades in almost 20 years
James Street hasn’t had a major upgrade in close to 20 years. In that time, the street has cycled through identities from a nightclub strip to a restaurant precinct, while much of the surrounding area has changed and been upgraded. Russell Square has been redeveloped. The Perth Cultural Centre is mid-renewal as part of a separate State Government project. Northbridge Piazza has become a regular event space. James Street is what connects it all, and it’s showing its age.
City of Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said the plan reflected what the community had asked for.
“James Street is one of Perth’s most recognisable and culturally significant streets, and this plan reflects what the community told us they want to see. It incorporates more trees, better lighting and wider footpaths to support a safer and more vibrant precinct,” he said.
“The revitalisation will create a more connected and event-ready street while strengthening Northbridge’s role as the State’s cultural and entertainment destination. The upgrade is expected to bring more people into James Street, encourage people to stay longer to support local business and help drive future investment in Northbridge.”
The City of Perth has quantified the long-term benefits, and the numbers are reasonably bullish. An independent assessment estimated the project will generate around $53.5 million in economic, social, and environmental benefits over 20 years — a return of roughly $3.20 for every $1.00 invested.
The project now moves into detailed design. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2028 and is expected to run through 2030, in line with the City’s Long-Term Financial Plan.
