Crossword Genius

Lifeless in Perth (excluding the outskirts) (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

inert

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'lifeless' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'in perth excluding the outskirts' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'in' is present in the answer.
'the' could be 't' (the is pronounced as a 't' sound in some dialects) and 't' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'er' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for inert that I've seen before include "Dormant, lifeless" , "Slow and apathetic" , "Disinclined to move" , "Inter, being unable to move" , "Chem. non-reactive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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