New campaign could help with Dixon Reserve funding
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The campaign, which advocates for a stronger focus on funding to meet the critical infrastructure and services needs of the nation’s fastest growing outer metropolitan suburbs, reinforces the needs of the Growth Areas Perth and Peel (GAPP) Local Governments.
Cockburn is seeking $15m from a future fund to develop Dixon Reserve into an integrated sport and recreation hub, including replacement of the Wally Hagan Recreation Centre with a new six-court indoor multipurpose sports stadium.
“A new stadium could host a wide variety of sporting codes like basketball, netball, volleyball, badminton and indoor soccer while the reserve could be used by sporting codes such as soccer, rugby, lacrosse, AFL and cricket,” City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said.
The 4ha reserve is a former landfill site and needs extensive remediation before it can be re-turfed for active sports and other community related activities including an AFL-size oval and two new rectangular playing fields with lighting.
Other attractions would include a bike pump track, skate park, seating and pathways. WA’s outer suburbs are growing quicker than expected and require dedicated funding for roads, schools, public hospitals and sporting facilities.
Perth councils identified by the NGAA include Armadale, Cockburn, Kwinana, Mandurah, Rockingham, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Swan and Wanneroo.
Mayor Howlett said the NGAA’s campaign was a stark reminder on the importance of funding critical infrastructure and services to ensure the nation’s fastest growing outer metro suburbs were not left behind.
“We share the NGAA’s concerns and through our own GAPP campaign are calling on the Federal Government to the help us plug the infrastructure funding gap, so much needed sport and recreational facilities can be provided to our communities,” Mayor Howlett said.
“In Cockburn we have worked hard to deliver a range of sporting and recreation facilities for our community, including the $9m Cockburn Bowling and Recreation Club, the $2m Walliabup Skate and Recreation Park, plus the $6.53m Lakelands Hockey and Community Facility due to open mid-2019.
“However, it is important this necessary funding is secured as soon as practicable. New infrastructure will help improve the liveability of communities and lead to growth, job creation, greater productivity and improved health and social outcome.
“Today’s launch further highlights the clear disadvantage some of our outer metro communities currently face, particularly with access to key sporting and recreation infrastructure.”
The City of Cockburn is a member of the NGAA and GAPP.