The Cecil Avenue transformation is a key component of the Canning City Centre Regeneration Program, the City's long-term vision to create a vibrant, connected and sustainable city centre at the heart of Perth's Southern CBD.
Spanning the length of Cecil Avenue through the Canning City Centre, the project has reimagined the area's primary street as a welcoming, people-focused destination that supports future growth, investment and community activity.
The upgrades deliver:
- improved public spaces
- enhanced landscaping
- increased tree canopy
- public art
- smart city technology
- better connections for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.
Together, these improvements help create a more attractive and accessible city centre, supporting the City's vision for a thriving mixed-use destination where people can live, work, shop and connect.
Cecil Avenue Central works
The Cecil Avenue Central project is the third and final stage of the Cecil Avenue transformation. It will complete the upgrade between Pattie Street and Lake Street.
This stage is more complex than the previous sections due to the relocation of high-voltage power infrastructure. It also requires land acquisition to accommodate the upgraded road design.
The project is currently in the concept and design phase. Service relocations and road construction are expected to take place between 2027 and 2029.
Once complete, these works will help deliver a safer and more accessible environment for everyone who lives, works and visits the area.
Completed works
Cecil Avenue East is now open and works included:
- dedicated bus lanes which can also be used by cyclists and taxis
- wider footpaths for a pedestrian-friendly street
- big trees to increase tree canopy on Cecil Avenue
- rain gardens and points of interest for the public to enjoy
- smart infrastructure including technology for augmented reality, free Wi-Fi, CCTV, public mobile charging stations and interactive street and furniture lighting
- glow-in-the-dark artwork highlighting the lifecycle of a frog
- customised filigree lighting.
The upgraded Cecil Avenue West reopened on 20 December 2019.
Cecil Avenue West is the first stage of the City Centre Regeneration Program. The road features:
- wider footpaths and improved pedestrian access
- a dedicated bus lane
- new traffic lights to reduce congestion during the busy shopping periods, making it easier for shoppers around Westfield Carousel and the Cecil Avenue retail strip
- more trees for shade
- will be one of the first smart streets in Perth when fully complete.
It is now equipped with smart poles to accommodate smart features that can be added over time, including technology to support:
- traffic monitoring systems
- CCTV
- environmental monitoring
- free high speed Wi-Fi
- energy-saving lighting
- the provision for electric vehicle charging in the future.
As part of the Canning City Centre regeneration program, the City engaged Darryl Bellotti to customise a narrative surrounding the Canning River.
While you take a journey from Westfield Carousel to the Cannington train station or vice versa, follow the filigree lighting narrative by scanning the QR codes along the path.
Learn more about the history surrounding the Canning River while taking in the surrounds of the stunning displays of the filigree lighting. Plus, marvel at the displays as you take an evening stroll, the customised lighting display comes to life.
Display descriptions
- Introduction
- Panel 1: Tiger Snake – Keep an eye out for because they are most commonly found around water sources and Djarlgarro Bilya.
- Panel 2: Bream – A staple for Nyoongar when the seasons become hotter and it is time to head closer to the water.
- Panel 3: Yonga – Like so many Aboriginal cultures, kangaroo is essential to Nyoongar people for food, skins and for tools and weapons.
- Panel 4: Gum Tree – Weapons, shelter, tools and fire wood. Sap for medicine and mosquito bites. Gum trees have many uses.
- Panel 5: Moort – Sitting around the campfire, learning about the dreaming and spirits of the country, and the stories of Djarlgarro Bilya.
- Panel 6: Kaarla – The season of Birak signals the time for burning. Nyoongar burn the landscape in mosaic patches to encourage new plant growth for animals, which improves hunting success. It is central to the artwork, signifying ongoing change and renewal.
- Panel 7: Yakkan – Freshwater turtles are another staple food source for Nyoongar people and are common throughout much of the region.
- Panel 8: Karuck – Shows the red tailed black cockatoos flying above the Djarlgarro Bilya sky through the warm and cooler periods.
- Panel 9: Bobtail – A common sight along the river and surrounding lands. You can find them along the many pathways around Djarlgarro Bilya.
- Panel 10: Boordia – The keeper of knowledge, caretaker of the land, a Nyoongar Boordia stands and watches over his country. Caring for its Dreaming and keeping the Spirit strong.
- Panel 11: Marli – Synonymous with Djarlgarro Bilya and other lakes and rivers in the south west region, Marli are a symbol of Nyoongar boodjar, and is displayed proudly as our state emblem.
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