Premier Alan Carpenter has announced the go-ahead for stage two of the Major Stadia Taskforce, revealing a staged redevelopment of Subiaco is being considered.
Premier Alan Carpenter has announced the go-ahead for stage two of the Major Stadia Taskforce, revealing a staged redevelopment of Subiaco is being considered.
Brushing aside criticism today that the proposed indoor sports stadium on Wellington Street was facing major cost increases after adding a major carpark, Mr Carpenter said that Perth required a better major sports stadium.
"Proceeding with the second stage of the Major Stadia Taskforce's work underlines an acceptance that there is a growing need for such a facility as public demand increases," he said in a statement.
The Premier said that among the three options which the task force will focus on was a proper analysis of a stage redevelopment of Subiaco Oval.
East Perth remains on the agenda, as it does for another major works proposal - the WA Museum.
The full release is below:
The second stage of the Major Stadia Taskforce's work on a new sports stadium will include a full examination and analysis of a staged redevelopment of Subiaco Oval.
Giving the green light to Stage Two of the taskforce's investigation into the costs and location of a new sports stadium, Premier Alan Carpenter announced that the staged redevelopment of Subiaco Oval was back on the agenda.
"Proceeding with the second stage of the Major Stadia Taskforce's work underlines an acceptance that there is a growing need for such a facility as public demand increases," Mr Carpenter said.
"The process has to be thorough and take into account the economic and social impacts of such a project."
The Premier said Stage Two would provide a full assessment of three proposed sites:
- East Perth - North Claisebrook adjacent to the East Perth Power Station;
- Subiaco - Kitchener / Mueller Park; and
- a staged redevelopment of Subiaco Oval.
In Stage Two, the taskforce has also been asked, in keeping with its two-stadia policy, to examine a multi-purpose major outdoor stadium (with features and capacity to be confirmed), maintain the Members Equity Stadium as the preferred rectangular venue and investigate a smaller venue for domestic cricket matches which might or might not be the WACA.
However, Mr Carpenter said the WACA was an iconic venue in the public's mind and he wanted the taskforce to investigate a current proposal of the co-location of cricket and rugby on the site.
"I want the taskforce to give Government frank assessment of whether this is a viable option for a future use of the WACA site," he said.
"Since the taskforce's interim report, we have spoken to key sports and listened to the public debate, while refining the terms of reference for Stage Two before asking the taskforce to complete its investigation.
"I look forward to the detailed examination of what will be involved in building a new major sports stadium to meet Western Australia's growing needs."
Sport and Recreation Minister John Kobelke said the taskforce had been asked to conduct detailed business analysis of the sites in terms of the planning, transport, finances, risk assessment and management issues.
Mr Kobelke said the taskforce had been given until the end of March 2007 to complete its final report to Government.