Shared User Agreement confirmed for community access to Perth’s Subiaco Oval

The signing of the Subiaco Oval Shared User Agreement has solidified the hours of community, school and sporting use and finalised responsibilities for maintenance and costs at the well-known site of Perth’s major AFL venue.

The User Agreement results from negotiations between the City of Subiaco, the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC), and the Western Australian Department of Education to determine use and maintenance of the Subiaco Oval site.

Following the demolition of the stands of the former venue (known as Domain Stadium in its final years) the Oval was opened to the community for team sports and general public access as of on 4th June 2020 while the details of the agreement were finalised.

It was also available for students of Bob Hawke College for physical and outdoor education during school hours.

At its August Ordinary Council Meeting, the City of Subiaco unanimously endorsed the Subiaco Oval Shared User Agreement (Agreement), following which the Agreement was executed by all parties on 21st October 2021 and will come into effect upon the vesting of a management order to the City from the Western Australian Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage. This is anticipated to occur in mid-2022.

The Agreement outlines the days and hours of use, management, and maintenance of the oval. Future use of Subiaco Oval will now be shared by the community, Bob Hawke College, and the WAFC.

Advising that City staff had diligently worked with the relevant stakeholders to develop a shared user agreement all parties could agree on, Subiaco Mayor David McMullen stated “I am pleased Council have endorsed the agreement and stakeholders have come together to achieve a positive community outcome.

“This is the final step in reinstating community access to this unique community space, which in recent memory had largely been inaccessible to all but professional sportspersons.”

City of Subiaco Chief Executive, Colin Cameron said this tremendous collaborative effort sets a clear direction for the treasured Oval, adding “this agreement is a massive win for the community. Subiaco Oval is an iconic space, it means a lot to people all over Western Australia and can now truly shine.

“A united front from all stakeholders kicks a clear goal for junior and elite sports, community members, Bob Hawke College students and the West Australian Football Commission. I’m really proud of the role Council played in advocating for this green space to be accessible, and enjoyed by all, and for Council’s determination to see this agreement over the line.”

Community use of Subiaco Oval
Community use of the oval is based around Bob Hawke College (BHC) students and the West Australian Football Commission use.

Peak season - March to October, community access at all times except for the following:
• BHC has use 8am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays
• WAFC has use 6pm to 9pm Mondays to Wednesdays; 4pm to 9pm Thursdays; and 9am to 1pm on alternate Saturdays.

Off-peak season - November to February, community access at all times except for the following:
• BHC has use 8am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays
• WAFC has use 4pm to 9pm Mondays and Wednesdays; 8am to 10am Sundays.

The venue now has AFL goal posts and flood lighting while its heritage gates have been restored.

Image: The heritage gates at Subiaco Oval, now lit by LED Edgelites. Credit: Hawko Lighting.