Work to upgrade WACA Ground commences
The long-awaited redevelopment of the WACA is underway, starting with the lengthening of the ground, to allow Australian football to be played at the iconic Perth venue once again.
The WACA Ground Improvement Project is part of the $1.5 billion Perth City Deal, to help ensure the long-term prosperity and liveability of Perth and drive the city’s economic, social and environmental sustainability.
The state and federal governments are each contributing $30 million towards the $70 million project to revitalise the iconic venue, with its capacity to be reduced to around 15,000.
Works will include the demolition of the three-tier Prindiville Stand and Inverarity Stand on the northern side of the ground, with the latter structure now 50 years old, riddled with asbestos and no longer fit for purpose.
When demolition of the Prindiville Stand is completed in 2022, construction will begin on a new community and sporting hub, with cricket at its heart. The accessible and inclusive design celebrates Western Australia’s local indigenous culture and reflects the proud sporting history of the WACA Ground.
Western Australian company Brajkovich Construction has been awarded the contract for early works, which will start with lengthening the WACA Ground oval by 20 metres to enable WAFL and other sports to return in mid-2022. The company has previous experience working with the WACA, having been commissioned to demolish the Farley Stand in 2002.
East Fremantle will host WAFL matches at the venue for the next two seasons while their home ground, East Fremantle Oval, is redeveloped.
The project is anticipated to take around 18 months and is expected to not interrupt this season’s international and domestic cricket fixtures.
Premier Mark McGowan, WA Minister for Planning Rita Saffioti, WA Minister for Sport and Recreation Tony Buti, Federal Assistant Minister for Defence and WA MP Andrew Hastie and WACA Chair Hon. Terry (Tuck) Waldron recently marked the start of construction on the WACA upgrade project.
McGowan said, “Many Western Australians have fond memories of visiting the WACA, with so many iconic sporting moments at international and domestic level taking place over the decades at our home of cricket.
“These upgrades are the result of the strong collaboration between the Federal and State Governments and the WACA - and will breathe new life into the facility, encourage more people to visit, return vibrancy to this part of the city, and support local jobs.”
Planning minister Rita Saffioti said the project could give the WACA a future for the next 100 years.
It remains to be seen if the contentious public pool will be included as part of the redevelopment, with the Perth City Council yet to commit to its ongoing operational costs.
