Colonial Town Plans of Perth

[3] Contrary to these ideals, the development of an economy based around mineral resources would make Perth the commercial center of the colony, and later, metropolitan region with a layout that has remained relatively unchanged to the present day.

These regulations were not in force in Western Australia, but a copy of them was included in George Murray's instructions to Governor Stirling with a comment that they should be adhered to as closely as circumstances would permit.

[5]Governor Stirling in turn gave instructions to the Surveyor-General, John Septimus Roe, who was responsible for surveying and laying out of the town site.

The plan was a semi-regular grid pattern bounded by Mount Eliza to the west, wetlands to the north, and tilted on an angle so that the principal streets ran parallel to the river, which formed the boundary to the south and the east.

A large open space between St Georges Terrace and the river allowed for recreational pursuits and reflected Stirling's intention that Perth was to be the administrative centre of the colony.

The land to the west of the barracks was intended for trade and commerce, and in fact remains today as the commercial and financial center of the state economy.

By requiring such high building values, and prompt development time, the regulations deliberately excluded those who lacked wealth and social status.

"[10] The layout and design of Perth was influenced by the urban planning principles of the time, the colonial experience in Australia and elsewhere, and the practicalities of administrating land grants.

[13] Historian Felicity Morel-Edniebrown suggests that Williamsburg introduced the feature of a long, broad street with key buildings terminating its vistas.

Also, like Williamsburg, Perth was conceived as the capital of a large and productive hinterland, within which the administrative, institutional, and religious powers of the state resided, where a colonial gentry could maintain social and business ties.

[18] Unlike the rest of Perth, the layout of the Northern Streets was decided by the nature of the landscape, the presence of the lakes and wetlands, and the drainage plans.