There was a time when Perth was just an isolated outpost left more or less to its own devices. However, as technology has advanced, distances have become relatively smaller and global demand for natural resources has grown, Western Australia and its capital city on the Swan have assumed a critical role in the world economy. That’s right, it’s the ‘mining boom’, and whether you love it, hate it or are just sick of hearing about it, the fact is the boom is the single biggest thing defining Perth and WA today.

Few people understand the boom and the opportunities it brings better than City of Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi. After longstanding Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass announced he would not run for reelection in 2007, the race to decide who would be Perth’s 17th Lord Mayor became a contest of who had the vision to capitalize on the boom and steer Perth through its metamorphosis from a far-flung state capital to a multicultural global metropolis. When all the votes were counted, Lisa Scaffidi assumed office as Perth’s first female Lord Mayor and the individual chosen to shape the discussion of Perth’s future.

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‘The buildup to the election showed how much Perth as a city was questioning its future. Everyone around the city was talking about how they wanted it to be,’ Ms Scaffidi told OUTinPerth.

Ms Scaffidi, prior to being elected Lord Mayor, headed the Committee for Economic Development of Australia in Western Australia for almost ten years. Her election at a time of unprecedented growth in Perth was a clear statement from the people of Perth that they were ready to trade in Dullsville’s digs for something more befitting a city integral to Australasia both economically and culturally.

Since stepping into the Lord Mayor’s office, Ms Scaffidi has been as good as her election word to take Perth from isolation to innovation and fashion it into a cosmopolitan world city. Operating under the belief that, ‘a city is only as the people in it and I believe Perth people are far from dull’, she has spearheaded an ambitious slate of City of Perth initiatives.

There is the waterfront development project that aims to reconnect Perth to the Swan River and there is the Laneways project, which takes a page from Melbourne’s book and seeks to liven up Perth’s urban laneways with funky shops, cafes, restaurants, bars and art. There are plans to sink the railway line and plans to create European-inspired city piazzas. There is an expanding cultural calendar and an increasing commitment to maintain the diversity of ethnic and cultural identities present in the city.

‘Cities are only healthy when they offer that diversity,’ says Ms Scaffidi. ‘You don’t want cities to be too mono-focused, be it commercial or residential or a singular retail focus. It needs to all combine and intertwine to give it that vibrant, eclectic feel.’

With all the diversity and development of Perth’s Renaissance, the gay and lesbian community has an important role to play. The Lord Mayor cites the annual Pride parade as one of her favourite events and claims to have attended all but one parade.

‘I’ve watched it go in different directions over the years. I loved the Paris Hilton in Jail last year. That sort of comedy and quirkiness is the best and I’d love to see more of that,’ says Ms Scaffidi, before adding, ‘I hope it doesn’t rain this year.’

That Ms Scaffidi should feel such an affinity for Pride is only fitting, given that this year’s Pride theme of reINvention is the perfect symbol for the festival’s host city where cranes dot the skyline and redevelopment grabs the headlines. It would seem, like Pride, Perth and its Lord Mayor are is reinventing and redefining our community in 2008.

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A Perfect Day in Perth with the Lord Mayor…

The day would start with an early morning walk along the Swan River and morning coffee in East Perth. Then she would take the CAT bus to the CBD for shopping in King Street and lunch at C Restaurant (for the view, says the Lord Mayor). After that she would ferry to South Perth, then head over to King’s Park before a visit to the Art Gallery. For sunset she would go to the coast, perhaps, Cottesloe Beach or Old Swan Brewery, and then finish the day off with a night out in Northbridge for some great dining and drinks.