SEPTEMBER 2024 UPDATE
At its meeting of 24 September 2024, the City of South Perth Council overturned its February 2024 decision for WASPs to be provided with the option of leasing Collier Reserve and effectively put an end to the proposed combined turf, clubroom and grass facility that the club had been pursuing (with the support of Council) at that location.
In line with what was recommended by the City administration (who actively sought to put an end to our pursuit for a co-located 'home' in the City of South Perth) in it's advice to Council for the September meeting, the majority of Council effectively rescinded the previously approved motion (that was tabled by Deputy Mayor Bronwyn Waugh and approved by Council in February 2024) for the City of South Perth administration to finalise the option for a 21 year lease of part of Collier Reserve.
The Club had worked in good faith to draft the lease option (with the City) and put a lot of time and effort into it over the course of six or so months, in line with what had been requested. The option to lease had been drafted, agreed and submitted for the Council's consideration and approval. However, this was instead overruled with the below motion that was ultimately approved.
That Council:
1. Resolves not to grant an Option to Lease any portion of Collier Reserve to Wesley South Perth Hockey Club (WASPs).
2. Requests the Chief Executive Officer to continue to work with Wesley South Perth Hockey Club (WASPs) and Hockey WA to provide for a home at the Australian High-Performance Hockey Centre.
https://southperth.wa.gov.au/docs/default-source/minutes-and-agendas/2024/ocm-sep-2024/minutes.pdf?sfvrsn=ae1babbd_1
In line with the decision, the club is engaging with Hockey WA with respect to the future Australian High Performance Hockey Centre development at Curtin - albeit noting that this will not provide for the co-location of all of our members as that development will not provide grass grounds for our minkey or junior and senior grass sides.
However, our need for a combined co-located home for all of our members (catering for all members from minkey through to masters, and everyone in between) will not go away - in fact, it will only increase - and we will therefore also continue to look for avenues to pursue 'one home' for our 'one club'.
