Published on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 at 4:00:00 PM

By David MacLennan, Chief Executive Officer

Many people reached out after hearing that the City of Vincent was scored as the most liveable city in Western Australia, and the second most liveable in all of Australia, in the Place Score Liveability Census.

How did we get here?

It wasn’t by ticking off a list of local government services or chasing rankings.

It’s about something deeper – crafting character and community. We want to make each street, suburb, and town centre in the City of Vincent part of an urban village environment - a place people love to call home (and never want to leave!)

The City of Vincent is the birthplace and home of the Town Team Movement - a global placemaking initiative that began right here in our community.

For many years we have been building a genuine partnership between local government and our community - working together to create people-centred places and vibrant neighbourhoods.

There was plenty of trial and error along the way… but as we embedded placemaking into everything we do, we made less errors and more happy residents and thriving local businesses.

The ingredients I think make a city truly liveable must be grounded in the community’s heritage and values:

• A mix of housing types and densities that make local services and transport viable.
• Local shops and destinations that support local living and local economies.
• Access to high quality public services (health and education), arts, culture, events and community facilities.
• Safe, connected and attractive streets that encourage walking and cycling.
• Beautiful parks and green spaces for sport and recreation (lots of trees!)
• A strong commitment to sustainability – conserving water, reducing waste, and improving energy efficiency.
• Public transport options that connect people to jobs and services.
• And most importantly – local leadership and community participation that reflect the aspirations and values of our residents

The Liveability Census, Australia’s largest place-based social research project by Place Score, surveyed more than 27,000 Australians across 15,000 areas, assessing over 50 liveability markers such as safety, access to nature, nearby shops and cafes, and visual character.

Vincent scored 77, just behind Lane Cove (NSW) at 80, a result that reflects our community’s deep pride, creativity, and sense of belonging.

But a score doesn’t tell the full story.

Liveability happens through thousands of small, everyday choices made by residents, local businesses and the City, from planting trees to supporting local events, creating art, and caring for one another.

So a big thank you to our residents, businesses, community organisations, and dedicated City of Vincent staff, who make us so vibrant, diverse and sustainable.

David MacLennan

Chief Executive Officer

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