The City of Vincent has unanimously backed a motion from mayor Alison Xamon to lobby the State Government to redirect Perth Parking Levy funds towards extending the Blue CAT bus service to Leederville and creating a new east-west bus route. The motion also calls for funding to improve pedestrian access on East Parade, including an interim signalised crossing near East Perth station.
Vincent's Contribution to Parking Levy
Ms Xamon expressed frustration that the City of Vincent has contributed millions of dollars to the Perth Parking Levy over the years but has received minimal benefits in return. According to council documents, the city pays approximately $450,000 annually to the levy, totalling an estimated $5 million over the past 15 years. In contrast, councils that do not contribute to the levy, such as the Town of Cambridge and the Town of Victoria Park, have received funding for other projects.
Blue CAT Extension and New Route
Ms Xamon argued that extending the Blue CAT to Leederville is an obvious use of the funds, especially as major projects bring more residents to the area. She emphasised the need for an east-west bus route connecting the Leederville town centre to the North Claisebrook precinct, noting that Vincent Street is a key corridor where crossing from one side to the other is currently difficult.
"The big thing that I think we need to be working towards is the establishment of the east-west bus route to make sure that we're connecting up the Leederville town centre and going all the way down to the North Claisebrook precinct," Ms Xamon said. She added that a new CAT or bus service would reduce traffic and make it easier for residents to travel between key destinations such as Beatty Park, Beaufort Street, and Leederville.
Support from Councillors
Cr Sophie Greer, who seconded the motion, voiced strong support for an east-west bus route, saying it would encourage people to leave their cars at home for short trips. "So often you have to get in your car to go to Woolies or Coles. I think as a city we should be looking at trying to get people to stop doing those small car trips," she said. Cr Greer also backed plans for a safe pedestrian crossing across East Parade, noting that residents have already submitted petitions to the WA State Parliament.
Government Response
A Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure spokesperson confirmed that the levy already funds various transport initiatives, including the free transit zone and strategic transport modelling for Vincent's Pickle District. The department collected $435,220 in Perth parking licence fees from the City of Vincent in 2024-25. The spokesperson stated that all projects and services are funded in accordance with the Perth Parking Management Act and regulations, and that investigations into a pedestrian crossing on East Parade near East Perth Station have commenced.
A Public Transport Authority spokesperson noted that Transperth continuously assesses the bus network to allocate resources where demand is highest. "There are currently no plans to extend the Blue CAT's route," the spokesperson said, adding that Leederville is already well served by the Route 15 bus, the Yanchep Line, and the Green CAT. However, a future east-west connection between Leederville and Claisebrook stations is part of Transperth's service development plan, prioritised according to community benefit and currently focused on newly developed urban areas not yet served by the network.
