It’s game on for Keirnan Park after years of waiting and an eye-watering cost blowout.
For those who have skin in the game, the feeling of relief and excitement is unmatched.
“I’m just thrilled for the community,” Bill Denholm said.
In 2018, after almost a decade of campaigning by locals, and sporting clubs bankrolling their own feasibility study, the McGowan Government gifted over 60 hectares of land in Mundijong for the purpose of building a sports and recreation mecca for the growing Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale.
At last Wednesday’s Special Council Meeting, one of the project’s instigators and former Deputy President Dave Atwell paid tribute to the late Barry Urban and his role in that victory for the SJ community.
“Apart from his obvious faults, he was a very good advocate for this project, and one of the prime movers in us getting this land,” he said.
In August 2020, the SJ Shire and community kicked their second goal; the state government committed $20 million for the first stage of the development (1A), which was supposed to cover the construction of two ovals with lighting, a pavilion, carpark, service road, landscaping, irrigation, drainage and water harvesting.
The project has since been plagued by several issues which have pushed the first sod turning ceremony back years.
The delays can partially be attributed to an initial design misstep, with the plan out of kilter with relevant sporting group expectations. But it was overwhelmingly due to an unforeseen ground water supply issue, and the need to obtain vegetation clearing permits.
Thankfully, those two issues were finally resolved last year.
But during the last four-and-a-half years, the cost for Stage 1A has ballooned by $15 million, to a total of $35,260,228.
Shire officers rationalised that the initial costings had become “more accurate” as the project evolved through its various stages of planning and design.
But the reality is that time is money.
“With the passage of time, costs have rapidly escalated and as a result, the grant is no longer able to cover the entire cost of Stage 1A,” shire officers conceded last August.
They proposed to cover the missing millions ($6,082,957 increase since last August) with the remaining funds from the Community Infrastructure Developer Contribution Plan, and a self-supporting loan which will be funded through future developer contributions.
At Wednesday’s meeting, community advocates begged councillors to look past the massive blowout and finally appoint a contractor for the project.
“If you take the personalities out of it, this project is important,” former Shire President Michelle Rich said.
“We don’t have anywhere else to build something like this without paying for land.”
“We need to get Keirnan Street going. We need to get the contract awarded and works to commence ASAP. Because the next problem is winter is fast approaching and you won’t get on that land,” Bill Denholm said.
“This money was given to the community, but five years later there’s nothing to show for it. It certainly doesn’t pass the pub test.
“Often, I hear perception is reality. Well, I’m certain this inefficiency is affecting the shire’s ability to secure more grants.”
Shire President Rob Coales refuted that assertion stating as proof the “commitments made by all major parties contesting the March state election for the shire’s sporting infrastructure projects”.
But only the state Nats have so far made a 2025 election pledge specifically for Keirnan Park.
President Coales did agree wholeheartedly with their plea to get a move on and introduced an alternative motion that would see shovels go in the ground faster.
“It is a project that, unequivocally, the community needs,” he said. “We need to attract people to this shire. We need people to come down here, buy land and build their forever home. And to stay in this shire and make it their home.
“We have worked quite extensively with the National Growth Area Alliance. And reading the shire’s liveability score card is quite sobering. It’s not great. We as councillors, we as a community need to fix that.
“I think this one project will go a long way towards making this shire a great place to live, a great place to work, and a place to enjoy.
“The reason I’ve moved the alternative motion is because … we know that money is cheaper today than what it is tomorrow. We can afford it, and it’s time to act now.”
But Cr Shaye Mack stood in opposition.
He acknowledged how important sporting opportunities for young people are, but couldn’t, in good conscience, approve the eye-watering price tag.
“This will max out our credit card, so to speak. We will be at our limit,” he said.
“And whilst this is a fantastic project, is it the right time to be going forward with it?
“Yes, everything is more expensive tomorrow. I would personally like to buy some things now, but I know I just can’t afford it.
“So, for me, it all comes down to what we can afford, and being sensible with our budget. And I for one am not prepared to max out the credit card.”
With three councillors absent, the motion was ultimately passed 3:1.
“This is a council decision that I’m extremely proud to be a part of, as it’s a major milestone for the project and for our community,” President Coales said.
“We know that hundreds of shire residents must travel out of SJ to play sport, and many miss out altogether due to our lack of modern facilities.
“Keirnan Park will become a new hub for community sport in SJ, setting our sports superstars of the future up for success.”
After so long, the Keirnan Park dream will very soon break ground. Construction is scheduled to begin next month, and President Coales has confirmed that, if all goes to plan, the community can look forward to playing on its brand-new ovals in 2027.
Read past articles about Keirnan Park here:
- Funding, water issues plague Keirnan Park dream
- Residents blow up at Keirnan Park blowout
- BMX Club set to move
- New sports hub closer after handover
