JOONDALUP Council will revisit its decision to move Joondalup United Football Club to Warrandyte Park in Craigie at its meeting next Tuesday.
Last month, councillors unanimously voted to allocate Warrandyte Park and Prince Regent Park in Heathridge to Joondalup United from next season, relocating Whitford City Football Club to Beldon Park, and Charonia and Korella parks in Mullaloo.
This was to allow Joondalup United to have a home ground that would meet Football West’s standards for a National Premier Leagues (NPL) team, including a fenced-off pitch, permanent seating for a minimum of 120 spectators but recommended 500 spectators, the ability to sell food and drinks, a PA system and sufficient parking.
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READ NOWPreviously, Joondalup United was operating across Forrest Park in Padbury, Beldon Park and Charonia Park but with its elevation to NPL status from next season, the club needs a designated home ground and club facility.
However, this means Whitford City, a junior club operating from Warrandyte Park for 41 years, must be relocated.
This has upset many in the Craigie community and triggered Central Ward councillor Russell Poliwka to move a motion to revoke the council decision.
His motion states Craigie residents, Whitford City and users of Warrandyte Park did not have sufficient notice to express their views and concerns before the September council meeting.
“Consistent with good governance and to have affected stakeholders put forward their case, I recommend my fellow elected members support this motion to allow a comprehensive and detailed report to be presented to the council before any further decision is made around the matter,” it said.
A capacity crowd was expected at last night’s briefing session, with security and police patrolling the council chambers.
For almost two hours, representatives from Whitford City and Joondalup United, the Craigie Dog Walking Group, Warrandyte Playgroup and Craigie residents made statements and asked questions.
Mayor Troy Pickard also asked for additional information before next week’s meeting, including if there had been any complaints about either clubs’ use of their grounds or breaches of their liquor licences, a list of all Warrandyte Park users and their usage, a list of clubs in the City that train and play at the same facility and if there was capacity to locate Joondalup United at Arena Joondalup or ECU Joondalup as a permanent winter tenant.
Cr Tom McLean asked if there was potential for Joondalup United to share with the other NPL clubs in the City; Sorrento and ECU Joondalup football clubs.
Mr Pickard asked for more information from Football West about NPL clubs sharing grounds but said he believed it was not favourable because of the ground conditions that would be required to sustain two clubs training and playing at an elite level.
However, Football West has allowed Joondalup United to ground-share with Sorrento for game days for the 2017 season.
Cr Poliwka’s motion also requests no further action be taken until a further report is submitted to the council outlining results of consultation with both clubs, affected residents and park users and the local community and detailed cost estimates for the required refurbishment works at Warrandyte Park.
In order for Cr Poliwka to put the motion forward, he needed the support of at least four other councillors, which he received from Crs McLean, John Chester, Mike Norman, John Logan, Russ Fishwick and Philppa Taylor.
Seven votes are required on Tuesday for the City to revoke the decision.