Background

The problem

All of Perth’s residents should have access to quality local sports facilities. Seventy five per cent of Perth’s population growth is occurring in the outer metropolitan communities, and yet the outer metro communities of Perth have a significant shortage of public open space, particularly for local sports facilities. Families living in these communities often face long commutes to and from major sporting precincts. Many families will simply forgo the active recreation opportunity in the face of these travel costs. Consequently, these communities are entrenched into a pattern of disadvantage and denied the access to public open space and local sporting facilities. Residents are then further disadvantaged with higher rates of obesity and a range of other lifestyle issues and associated risks. 
 

Who are Growth Areas Perth and Peel?

Growth Areas Perth and Peel (GAPP) is a group of eleven outer Metropolitan Councils who have consistently advocated for more public open space and local sporting facilities. They include:
  • City of Armadale
  • City of Canning
  • City of Cockburn
  • City of Gosnells
  • City of Kalamunda
  • City of Kwinana
  • City of Mandurah
  • City of Rockingham
  • Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale
  • City of Swan
  • City of Wanneroo.


What are GAPP trying to achieve?

GAPP is asking the Federal Government to contribute up to $350 million into a special purpose account, which would also leverage complementary investments from State Government, Local Government, and development contribution schemes.

With a cap of $30 million for any individual project, there would be sufficient funds available to build up to 12 major sports precincts across the 11 outer metro local government areas over the next four to eight years. Once established the facilities would be operated and maintained by the Local Governments.
 

What are the benefits to the communities?

  • More places to play sport and live healthy lifestyles
  • Decrease in obesity rates
  • Decrease in other lifestyle issues and risks
  • Creation of jobs
  • Increased livability and desirability of Perth’s outer metro regions.