Creative Industries Hub

The WA Government is transforming the former Edith Cowan University (ECU) Mount Lawley site into a vibrant and inclusive urban community.

As part of this initiative, the WA Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) facilities and surrounding administration and library buildings will be repurposed into a new creative industries hub.  

The Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) will lead development of the hub into a dynamic, sustainable and collaborative precinct that supports creative activity and fosters existing and emerging talent.

WA’s arts and creative industries are powerful cultural and economic drivers. This new hub will help strengthen our creative economy by providing fit-for-purpose, flexible spaces that include the necessary infrastructure for creative organisations to work, rehearse, perform, produce and innovate.

The hub will also support the broader strategic priorities of the WA Government including Diversify WA and Creative WA.

For more information on the overall ECU Mount Lawley Redevelopment Masterplan visit the DevelopmentWA website.

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Why ECU facilities?

The redevelopment of the ECU Mount Lawley campus presents a unique opportunity for WA’s creative industries to co-locate, collaborate, share resources and form new partnerships

By retaining and upgrading WAAPA’s specialist production, rehearsal and presentation spaces, the project helps address an existing shortage of professional creative facilities in WA, providing career pathways ensuring we develop and retain WA’s creative excellence.

Having shared spaces and encouraging co-location will promote collaboration and innovation, reduce costs for tenants and foster new partnerships and programming opportunities.

Project stages

The development of the creative industries hub will unfold across several key stages.

CITS is currently progressing a business case to shape the vision and operational model for the precinct.

Ongoing stakeholder engagement with creative organisations, industry partners, educational institutions and local community members will inform the design and future functions of the hub.

A comprehensive business case will be delivered in 2026 and will provide government with the information required for future decision making.

The creative industries hub will be developed in parallel with DevelopmentWA’s project plan for the entire ECU Mt Lawley campus.

Redevelopment direction and emerging ideas

Community feedback has already shown strong support for a creative industries hub, with 85% of local respondents expressing positive views about increasing opportunities for arts and cultural activity.

1. Adaptation: early planning suggests a strong focus will be on making the most of the existing campus buildings, transforming them into adaptable creative environments that meet the needs of artists, designers, performers, producers, game developers, digital content creators, architects and other emerging creative industry practitioners.
2. Inspiration: the hub will draw inspiration from successful creative precincts such as Collingwood Yards in Melbourne, The Mill in Adelaide and Sydney’s Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, where diverse tenants work side-by-side and benefit from shared infrastructure, lower operational costs and increased opportunities for mentorship and collaboration.
3. Emerging talent: supporting the next generation of creatives is also a core ambition. CITS is exploring opportunities to connect with students and young artists, including through potential partnerships with Mt Lawley Senior High School to expand access to facilities and provide pathways through its specialist visual and performing arts program. These connections aim to strengthen creative learning experiences and help develop and retain emerging talent across the State.

Investment in creative infrastructure of this kind also contributes to economic diversification, job creation and growth of WA’s knowledge economy — aligning with the goals of the State’s 'Made in WA' plan.