The State Government's consideration of any proposal to re-develop Subiaco Oval would depend on the resolution of existing community concerns, Premier and Glendalough MLA Carmen Lawrence said today.
Dr Lawrence said a social impact study of the Subiaco Oval area had proposed a range of management measures to deal with major community concerns such as parking, traffic congestion, anti-social behaviour and noise.
"The measures present local authorities, the local community and the Western Australian Football Commission with a plan to manage those concerns," she said.
"I will be meeting the Football Commission to discuss how its re-development proposal can accommodate these concerns."
Dr Lawrence said the social impact study had suggested a range of measures including:
· a co-ordinated transport and parking strategy;
· noise control;
· a larger police presence after all major events; and,
· a community liaison committee.
"The Government is keen to see all these measures introduced to reduce the impact of Subiaco Oval on the surrounding community," she said.
"In particular, the community liaison committee will involve the local community in decision-making."
Dr Lawrence said the committee would comprise representatives of the Subiaco and Perth Councils, the WAFC and residents, businesses and institutions in the area.
The committee would:
· monitor impacts and oversee the implementation of management measures;
· receive and discuss complaints;
· provide a permanent forum to discuss issues related to Subiaco Oval; and,
· ensure the community was kept fully informed.
The social impact study released today was commissioned by the Department of Planning and Urban Development and undertaken by an independent consultant following community concern about plans to re-develop Subiaco Oval.
Dr Lawrence said the Government would ensure the report's recommendations were implemented as soon as possible.
"With or without re-development we need to introduce management measures to reduce existing impacts and those likely to be experienced in the future," Premier Lawrence said.
"The possibility of a second AFL team based at Subiaco Oval would increase the number of major games played at Subiaco from 12 to 19 per year."
Dr Lawrence said the study had found that the increase in the number of games would have a greater impact on the surrounding community than an increase in the capacity of the stadium.
