City of Perth looks to back out of WACA pool project agreement

The City of Perth is reported to be set to back out of its commitment to partner with the Federal and Western Australian Government in developing a new aquatic centre within the planned refurbishment of the WACA ground.

A key part of the planned $1.5 billion Perth City Deal to regenerate the historic sports ground and surrounding East Perth precinct, the move to exit the plan is understood to follow City of Perth staff recommending that the council not back the business case for the pool.

A report prepared for the City of Perth by economics consultancy ACIL Allen suggested the council would incur $126.5 million in operating subsidies over 40 years.

It also suggested if an average patronage level of 229,000 people annually for the first 10 years, with further growth afterwards, was not reached the annual subsidy would be even greater than projected.

The report advised “the projected operating subsidy associated with the WACA Aquatic Facility will reduce the capacity of the City of Perth to operate and maintain its existing community facilities

“The financial subsidy will also entail either offsetting expenditure reductions or increased rates to provide the subsidy.”

With the City of Perth is the only major city in Australia that does not have a swimming pool, residents rely on aquatic facilities provided by neighbouring councils including the City of Vincent’s  Beatty Park Leisure Centre.

In addition, the City of South Perth recently backed a business plan for a matched $20 million funding pledge with the Federal Government to build an $80 million recreation and aquatic facility in Como.

The ACIL Allen report references these facilities as well as private learn-to-swim pools, suggesting “the provision of the WACA Aquatic Facility may therefore negatively impact on the demand for the services provided by these competing facilities

“Consultation with local government authorities in adjacent local government areas that operate aquatic facilities also expressed concerns regarding the impact of the proposed WACA Aquatic Facility on demand for their own facilities, noting most of these already operate at a loss."

The ACIL Allen plan also mentioned private sector parties it had spoken with which were interested in developing aquatic facilities within the City of Perth, including a floating four-lane barge pool on the Swan River.

In response, Western Australian Planning Minister, Rita Saffioti said on Saturday the assumptions in the ACIL Allen report were deeply flawed and ignored the city’s own population targets as well as the broader economic and health benefits a pool would contribute.

WAToday reported Minister Saffioti as stating “the City of Perth is the only major city in Australia that does not have a swimming pool.

“Even the Shires in remote locations, like Halls Creek run aquatic centres.

“A swimming pool for Perth has been talked about for decades and I call on the City to honour this agreement with the state government, federal government and WACA.”

An implementation plan for the deal between the local government and state and federal authorities has been tied to a final agreement from the City over the pool.

Due to have been considered by City of Perth councillors on Tuesday, the vote to decide whether to follow the staff recommendation or go ahead with the plan has been deferred as a result of the snap lockdown in Perth.

The City of Perth website currently advises that the vote is now scheduled for an Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 6th July 2021.

Images: Concepts for the aquatic facility in the WACA redevelopment.