NEW MP for Perth John Carey has labelled the CBD “dead” and boring during an impassioned plea for red tape to be slashed to help city traders jazz up the streets.

During a lively speech in State Parliament, Mr Carey questioned what kind of a tourism experience hotel guests got when they left the Hyatt Regency or Duxton hotels on Adelaide Terrace.

“It is pretty terrible,” he said.

“There is no coffee, unless it is from a convenience store. The area is dead.

“Small business is dying in the city. There are vacant shops, dead streets and a lack of activity.”

Mr Carey, the former City of Vincent mayor, said the vacancy rate in Perth was worse than it was during the global financial crisis and authorities should be doing all they could to protect business.

He zeroed in on the City of Perth’s outdoor eating and alfresco dining charges, which includes an $135 application fee plus a square metre fee of between $80 and $150 to put tables and chairs outdoors, depending on the area.

Camera Icon MP John Carey, with business owner Rita Berbatis, has also outlined his plan for Hay Street to be rejuvenated. Credit: PerthNow, Daniel Wilkins.

Vincent, Victoria Park and Bayswater councils have abolished the fees in recent years, but the City of Perth last week rejected a motion to do the same when Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi’s bloc voted down three opposing councillors.

Andy Hepenstall, of Hay Street coffee stand Cafe Vinyl, said he paid $2000 a year for three kerbside tables and chairs, which he considered to be “additional rent”.

Mr Hepenstall said reducing the cost burden would allow CBD businesses to lower prices, employ more people and increase the vibrancy.

“If you look up and down the streets at the moment it’s pretty drab, pretty boring,” he said.

Ms Scaffidi said council resolved in November to review the alfresco dining local law, and a public survey was launched on June 1.

“This feedback will be used to determine a new policy setting for council’s consideration, and it would be premature to amend the policy without full consideration of all feedback provided by the community,” she said.

Ms Scaffidi said early results indicated 41 per cent did not consider current charges too high.