2023 has been a busy, productive, and exciting time for residents, visitors, businesses and staff within the City of Subiaco.
The City’s Council and staff have worked towards and celebrated a number of fantastic achievements, consistently delivered community services, and set some plans in motion for the future of our City.
As we look back on the year that was, here are just some of the City's highlights from 2023:
- New City of Subiaco Executive Leadership Team appointed
- Named most liveable place in Australia
- Rolled out Food Organics, Garden Organics (FOGO) and reduced waste to landfill by 20% in six months
- New offices and Council Chambers secured after fire damaged the old building
- Craig Silvey announced as new patron for young writer award
- Disability Access and Inclusion Plan 2023-2028 endorsed by Council
- Achieved industry highs in the Community Scorecard
- Welcomed a huge number of visitors for events including Subi Blooms, Subi Spritz and Subi Night Markets
- Started to upgrade key information technology systems to TechnologyOne
- Adopted an innovative planning policy to make residential developments more sustainable
- Subiaco Library restoration project kicked off and pop-up library opened
- Took action to help people at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness
- Celebrated the first birthday of Bille Bob, the Subiaco Giant
- Upgraded a number of key public spaces including Postal Walk, Seddon Street and Walmsley Lane
- The City’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan was endorsed by Council
- Subiaco Museum launched a museum shop
- Won a state planning award for an innovative policy encouraging better engagement with neighbours
- Welcomed a number of brand-new businesses including Bar Banter, Subiaco Continental, Yiamas, Il Locale, Mistelle Bistro, Grain Bakery, and many more.
Mayor David McMullen said Subiaco right now is the best it has been in years.
We have worked productively and cohesively as a Council, and with staff, this year to build on and highlight the City of Subiaco as the best place to live, work and visit.
This year, the City of Subiaco was recognised on the national stage and officially named the most liveable place in Australia, according to the 2023 Australian Liveability Census. This is not an accolade we sought for ourselves; it was given to us based on research conducted by data analysts, who collected more than 50,000 responses nationwide.
This accolade reflects the work, decisions and achievements that have all contributed to the revitalisation and resurgence that is becoming well-known – and widely reported on – both inside and outside our City.
Our community is now telling us that they recognise the work of Council, and the City of Subiaco as an organisation. In this year’s Community Scorecard, our community gave us a 76 per cent positive score in the category of ‘Leadership by the Mayor and Councillors’. That figure has climbed a cumulative 30 per cent in just two years. As a governing organisation, the City of Subiaco is also scoring at a nine-year-high; with an 87 per cent positive rating.
But getting away from research and surveys, the vibrancy in Subiaco is palpable: high profile hospitality operators are opening up shop – and others in their industry are following them. 90,000 people and counting have visited Bille Bob (our wooden Giant by international artist Thomas Dambo) in the last 12 months; 90,000 came to see our floral installations the weekend of Subi Blooms; and 4000 to 5000 people are coming to our new Subi Night Markets each Saturday.
I’m optimistic that next year will continue the momentum and positive trajectory that we’re currently on; and that, as a Council, we’ll continue to deliver above and beyond for our community.
From everyone at the City of Subiaco, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.