Agreement on Scarborough High School site facilities

11/6/03
A long-awaited, multi-purpose sports facility will be built on the old Scarborough High School site following agreement between the State Government and the City of Stirling.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said the City of Stirling's Town Planning Committee would recommend to council that the city build, own and control the operation of a multi-sports facility at Ocean Rise Karrinyup, designed to enable the addition of a swimming pool.
Ms MacTiernan said the Government had committed $4.5million from the residential redevelopment of the 11ha site towards construction of the multi-sports facility (estimated at $2.2million) and a swimming pool.
"This is an important step in delivering on our commitment to fund the facilities and retaining 30 per cent as public open space," she said.
"So far we have not reached agreement with the city on the standard of finish and location of the pool.
"We will continue to work towards resolving that issue but, in the meantime, we have put in place measures that ensure the community's interests are safeguarded."
The Minister said as well as funding the multi-sports facility, the Government would hold eight lots of land worth a total of $2.3million in reserve for up to four years.
"These are among the best residential lots on the site and are in addition to the 30 per cent public open space we have already allocated," she said.
"If the pool issue is resolved, the lots can be sold to provide funding for the pool.
"If not, this land will become available to provide and fund the development of additional public open space.
"The question of whether a pool should be developed on site or elsewhere in the area will need to be determined through a process involving substantial community input."
The Mayor of Stirling, Tony Vallelonga, said the outcome was a sensible approach and provided a range of options to work towards achieving the best result for Stirling ratepayers.
"Clearly we need to examine the practicalities of a pool at that site further and community input is a must in this process," Cr Vallelonga said.
"The outcome allows us to work through that while safeguarding all interests."
Ms MacTiernan praised the work of Innaloo MLA John Quigley, who had worked hard to secure an agreement.
Mr Quigley said it was important to get things moving on the provision of the community facilities.
"The multi-sports facility was the priority for local sporting groups and we can now get that up and running while we work on resolving the issue surrounding the location of the pool," Mr Quigley said.
Ms MacTiernan said the Government placed a high priority on meeting its commitments and a lot of work had gone into ensuring the community did not miss out on what had been promised.
Minister's office: 9213 6400