With the WA state election just four weeks away, election promises are rolling in thick and fast from both major parties in the Riverton electorate, as the 9 per cent marginal seat proves to be a key battleground.
Incumbent member for Riverton, Jags Krishnan, has unveiled a series of promises primarily focused on local infrastructure, community projects, and sporting facilities, aiming to appeal to voters ahead of the upcoming election.
Among WA Labor’s biggest commitments in the area is a $20 million pledge for the redevelopment of the Willetton Sports and Community Centre, announced last month. This includes new change rooms, a new home for the local RSL, and upgrades to the netball and bowling clubs.
Additionally, last week Dr Jags announced an $850,000 pledge to upgrade the Vic and Audrey Varischetti Pavilion (Riverton Pavilion), which would benefit the Riverton Junior Football Club, the Riverton Rostrata Cricket Club, and the Riverton Rossmoyne Junior Cricket Club.
The proposed developments include modern female changerooms to support growing female participation in sports and an expansion of existing clubroom facilities.
“Female participation in sport has grown significantly in recent years, and it’s vital that our facilities reflect that,” he said.
“This upgrade is about investing in our local community. It’s about creating spaces that reflect the values of inclusion, teamwork, and community spirit that our local sporting clubs show every day.”
The WA Liberal Party, represented by City of Canning Deputy Mayor Amanda Spencer-Teo, is aiming to dislodge Dr Jags from the seat once held by former WA Liberal leader Mike Nahan for 13 years, and are also investing heavily to secure local support.
Spencer-Teo has committed $1.2 million to upgrade Riverton Pavilion, with the proposed works also including new female-friendly changerooms, additional storage, an extension of the club rooms, accessibility improvements, and new playground/exercise equipment at Riverton Reserve.
This recent commitment follows last year’s pledge by the WA Liberals to partially fund a new indoor sports facility in Riverton, with $10 million allocated to provide the Rossmoyne Volleyball Club a dedicated space for training and competition.
Despite the sporting upgrades pledges, Spencer-Teo, who has served on the Canning Council for five years, believes financial pressures are the biggest concern for residents in the Riverton electorate.
“There’s not a day that goes by where parents aren’t discussing the waiting times in our public health system, increase in criminal behaviour and cost of living pressures,” she said.
“The cost of living is really hurting local families, and this Government’s only response is free pre-election public transport fares and the token sugar hits like free zoo passes.”
Spencer-Teo has also announced additional commitments, including $400,000, to fund minor modifications and implement the recommendations from Main Roads WA at the Vahland Avenue and High Road intersection.
Other WA Liberal promises in the area include $43,000 for the installation of a disability access ramp at the Willetton Community Garden, $110,000 in funding for exercise equipment on the Shelley Beach Foreshore, and $77,000 for equipment and facility upgrades for the Riverton Aquanauts at the Riverton Leisureplex.
Dr Jags and WA Labor have also been pumping out funding commitments in several smaller initiatives, promising financial support for minor upgrades and support to local clubs.
These include $105,000 for the Rossmoyne Junior Football Club and Rossmoyne Amateur Football Club’s Shelley Reserve clubrooms, $20,000 for the Riverton Calisthenics Club, and $50,000 for the Rossmoyne Bowling Club. Additionally, $42,000 has been promised to the Riverton Aquanauts and $50,000 to the Canning City Football Club.
WA Labor has also made a $60,000 commitment for the Willetton Baseball Club’s facilities, $21,000 for the Herald Avenue Seniors Centre Computer Club, $50,000 for the Lynwood United Football Club, $40,000 for the Willetton Basketball Club and $46,000 for passive lighting along the footpaths at Arlington Park in Willetton.
Smaller contributions include $7,000 for the Canning Sea Scouts for new equipment and a boat ramp, and $18,000 for the Willetton Toy Library.
Enrolment and changes to voter details for the 2025 WA state election must be completed by 6 pm on February 13. The election will be held on Saturday, March 8, with postal vote applications now open.
