WACA pool deal makes waves again

The City of Perth and the state government are at odds again over the anticipated public swimming pool as part of the Western Australian Cricket Association redevelopment.

A 50-metre, six lane aquatic facility, is a component of the $100 million redevelopment of the East Perth grounds under the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal.

But a six-month deadline placed on the McGowan government by the City of Perth to provide plans and other information about the pool has expired.

The city's $25 million contribution hinged on the aquatic facility’s design, specifications and quality being to its satisfaction.

Next week the council will vote on whether to extend the deadline until December, or potentially end the funding commitment, which has been met with criticism from Planning Minister Rita Saffioti.

"The six month funding agreement was an arbitrary timeframe set by the Council in relation to its financial contribution," she said.

"It was set by the council and not discussed with the state government. It has no bearing on construction timeframes.

“Work is well underway at the WACA. Initial works such as the demolition of grandstands and oval lengthening have been completed."

A report presented to council said if the recommendation to extend the deadline was not approved, negotiations with the state government would end and the funding contribution would not proceed.

“While the city has progressed negotiations in a timely manner, for reasons outside the city’s control, the funding agreement has not been entered into within the six months required by the resolution,” it said.

The initial plan to have all three parties - the city, WACA and state government - in one deal has since changed to the state government having two separate arrangements with the city and WACA. The federal government also committed $30 million towards the WACA project.

“While the aquatic facility began as a tripartite arrangement through the Perth City Deal, the city’s decision to step away from the project meant that the state and WA Cricket are now in charge of delivering the project,” Ms Saffioti said.

“It is important to note that it was the City of Perth which delayed the commencement of all of the works when it initially failed to support the aquatic facility.

“While the city is providing a financial contribution to the project, unlike other public pools, the council does not want to have any involvement in the delivery or running of the facility.

“The city took a view that they simply wanted to contribute and not be involved. We were surprised, but accepted that decision.”

WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said they were on schedule with the works.

“The proposal around the timeframe of the funding agreement on the capital costs relating to the aquatic facility sits with the City of Perth and WA government, not WA Cricket,” she said.

The state government initially requested a $35 million contribution towards the Perth City Deal from the city, with $25 million going to the development of the public swimming pool at the East Perth grounds.

The councillors did not agree and unanimously voted to investigate alternative locations for the "iconic aquatic facility" in July.

Despite the initial refusal, the council decided to commit $25 million as a one-off capped contribution towards the pool development and would not contribute towards ongoing maintenance, management or operation in the future at its meeting in August.

The city has been contacted for comment and the council will consider the proposed time extension on Tuesday.