The Malaga high-performance centre that was promised to the Perth Bears will not be ready for 2027, it can be revealed, triggering the $13 million taxpayer spend on a temporary home for the team.
thewest.com.au
another one but i also dont get it malaga was never gonna be finished in 2027 for launch. thats been known since day 1?
Perth Bears: $13m temporary WACA home because $20m Malaga centre not finished for NR team’s launch in 2027
A $20 million high-performance centre in Malaga promised to the Perth Bears will not be ready in time for the team’s NRL debut in 2027, it can be revealed, triggering the extra $13 million taxpayer spend on a new temporary home at the WACA.
The Cook Government on Sunday announced that $12.9 million would be spent upgrading the WACA’s Lillee Marsh stand and installing goal posts, subsoil drainage and grass for a training field on vacant land across the road in East Perth.
A State Government spokeswoman said the East Perth site was only assessed for rugby league after the $65 million Bears deal was signed in May.
Expressions of interest opened in June for the $20 million Malaga multi-sport precinct that was promised during the State election, but there is no construction timetable for it.
The West Australian understands it is now unlikely to be ready for the start of the NRL season in 2027.
A Government statement on Tuesday suggested the Bears could remain based in East Perth for several years.
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“The State Government is working with the Perth Bears on a final timeframe for use of the Lillee Marsh Stand and they will use the Waterbank training field from October,” a Cook Government spokeswoman said.
“We will continue to work with them to secure a permanent home. The standard of these facilities will allow the Perth Bears to train, recover and play at the highest level over the coming years.”
It comes as Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas claimed the growing price tag has sparked dissent in Labor ranks — which was rejected by senior frontbencher John Carey on Tuesday.
Mr Carey, the Housing Minister and Member for Perth, insisted his local community would be the big winner.
“I do support the investment in community infrastructure,” he said.
“The Waterbank precinct has had a troubled history because of the ground or the geo-tech, so getting Waterbank used as a useful site has been very problematic.
“So for the East Perth community, I know there’s a level of excitement about activating the precincts by having the Bears there and having that investment in that infrastructure.”
On Monday, Mr Zempilas demanded the Premier apologise for misleading voters in March when he vowed no taxpayers’ money would go to the NRL.
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He also claimed that the cost had divided the Government.
“There is leadership rumbling. We know that because not everybody in the Labor Government is signed up to the racetrack and we know they’re not all signed up to the rugby league team,” Mr Zempilas said.
“There’s a reason why there is murmuring and now louder discussion about future leadership within the Labor Government.”
Mr Carey challenged him to produce proof.
“Basil Zempilas just shoots from the hip, please cite me the examples,” he said.
“I would say it’s the WA Liberals who are conflicted on net zero, as we’re seeing the turmoil in the Federal Liberals.
“So, again, like everything Basil says, he just says things off the cuff.”
