The Abbott government will not honour Julia Gillard’s $10 million commitment towards a Dockers HQ in Cockburn.
That leaves Cockburn city council’s $65m the only funding so far promised for the $113m project—a $48m shortfall.
With Fremantle at grand final fever pitch, the Dockers are being urged to refocus on Fremantle Oval and quickly secure a deal to avoid homelessness.
“Other interests are circling the 6000sqm of land at Fremantle Oval, so it is critical the Dockers move fast and secure it with the City of Fremantle and Notre Dame to create one of the best sports and communities facilities in Australia,” says Keep Freo in Freo convenor Chris Lewis.
“If it doesn’t happen it will be a huge loss for the club, members, supporters, city and state.”
Off to watch the Dockers play in the grand final this weekend, he says the tightening economy puts the Cockburn move in doubt—and he couldn’t be happier.
As the Herald flagged was likely to happen if the Coalition won government (September 7, 2013), new regional development minister Warren Truss moved quickly to cancel Labor projects that weren’t formally signed off.
“Any non-contracted announcements made by the previous government fall into the remit of election promises and will have to be reassessed on their merits under the Coalition’s national stronger regions fund,” a spokesperson for the deputy prime minister told the Herald.
“Unfortunately, the Cockburn project falls into this category. Existing non-contracted projects, such as the Cockburn project, will be required to resubmit their applications.” The email complained of “reckless and malicious” spending of the fund by the former Labor government.
Cockburn council CEO Stephen Cain is stubbornly sticking to his claim the project remains on track.
“Obviously, with a new government we understand there is a process that needs to be followed,” he says, and believes the council won’t even have to re-apply for the $10m.
But with no Abbott nor Barnett government money, the Dockers may have to stay put at Fremantle Oval and hope the port city council is still willing to spend cash to upgrade facilities there.
Freo mayor Brad Pettitt denies he’s been wined and dined in recent weeks by club chiefs warming to the idea of staying put. “[Dockers CEO] Steve Rosich and I speak regularly about a range of issues,” he says. “While we haven’t gone into any depth as to the federal funding implications for the Dockers, the Dockers and the City of Fremantle have been meeting on different iterations on the Dockers’ on-going presence in Fremantle.
“A street party in Cockburn wouldn’t quite be the same,” he noted, drily.
Cockburn mayoral candidate Carol Reeve-Fowkes is “disappointed the Coalition won’t honour previous promises”.
“When we resubmit the application and they see the huge health benefits to our community, I’m hopeful they will reconsider,” she says. “Given a healthy population is everyone’s aim, I’m sure the federal government can see the wisdom and long-term benefits in supporting this project.”
by BRENDAN FOSTER