Federal funds secured for WACA revamp

Perth’s historic WACA Ground is set to be redeveloped into a boutique 10,000-seat stadium and community-focused recreational facility after it secured $30 million in funding from the federal government.

Finance Minister Mathias Cormann yesterday announced the funding commitment to redevelop the WACA, with the project to include a 10-lane indoor cricket facility, high performance training and administration facilities, a community gym and a piazza open to the public. 

The commitment is a major step forward for the WACA, which unveiled the $75 million proposal earlier this year.

Cricket Australia has committed to tip in $4 million, while the WACA will raise an additional $10 million through the WA Cricket Foundation.

The WACA is also seeking $30 million in state government funding.

The project is expected to create 261 jobs in construction and support the WACA’s current workforce of 120. 

Mr Cormann said the investment came under the auspices of the Perth City Deal, which is expected to be finalised before the end of next year.

“The WACA has put forward a great proposal with a great vision for this historic ground,” Mr Cormann said.

“It’s a proposal which fits perfectly within our vision for a broader federal government city deal for Perth, which we intend to announce in the lead-up to next year’s budget.”

Western Australian Cricket Association chief executive Christina Matthews said a boutique stadium would complement Optus Stadium and activate the East Perth precinct.

“So many of us have a cherished WACA Ground memory and now we can retain its heritage and rich history, while creating a venue with a strong community focus that has multi-sport, gender equal facilities.” 

The proposal is the third of several redevelopment plans to have been floated in recent years for the WACA, with the last proposal announced in 2016 comprising a $207 million suite of works that would have created a 15,000-capacity arena.

The WACA and Ascot Capital also put together a comprehensive redevelopment plan, with a $500 million development flagged to include 540 apartments and 30,000 square metres of commercial space being shelved in 2013.