City of Perth withdraws from funding community swimming pool at WACA ground

The City of Perth’s Councillors have voted unanimously to rejected plans to contribute to the funding of a community swimming pool as part of the redevelopment of the WACA ground.

At a vote taken last night, Councillors went back on the City’s previous agreement to back the facility with $25 million in funding, a part of the broader $1.5 billion Perth City Deal.

Perth commissioners agreed in September to contribute $25 million to the West Australian Cricket Association (WACA) aquatic facility, subject to future consideration of a business case.

Presented to Councillors last night, the ACIL Allen report found the construction cost would be at least $6.1 million higher than expected, with another projected $126.5 million required over the 40-year life of the facility to run it.

The report also suggested that the operating costs would reduce the capacity of the City to operate and maintain existing facilities, and said there was no 'unmet need' established for the pool.

The move, which will see Perth remain the only state capital in Australia without a public pool, has been criticised by Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan who argued that the council’s decision to walk away from the deal “failed the local community”.

Premier McGowan advised “the council has gone back on an agreement put in place between the City, the Federal Government and the State Government.

“This is part of the broader $1.5 billion Perth City Deal funded by the State, Commonwealth and private sector, with the City only required to contribute $35 million to the overall package*.

“The City has a misguided view that they don’t need to be part of a $1.5 billion package for our city.”

By not contributing to the WACA pool, the City of Perth will now be making a less than 1% contribution to the Perth City Deal.

The WACA Chief Executive, Christina Matthews said she was “baffled” by the council's decision to pull the plug on a multi-million dollar pool in the redeveloped grounds.

Speaking to ABC Radio Perth, Matthews said the aquatic facility, while not essential to the development plans, would have been the “icing on the cake”, noting “(I’m) disappointed that the community is going to miss out on what would have been a great asset.

"Probably more baffled by the decision and some of the things that have come out in the council report and discussions more than anything."

*In addition to $25 million for the pool that the council was to make up the bulk its contribution to the Perth City Deal, the council will also be funding $10 million for street upgrades.

Image: The concept for the aquatic facility within the WACA redevelopment.