WORK on the long-awaited Yanchep playing fields finally kicked off this month.
Yanchep Beach Joint Venture chief executive Gin Wah Ang, Wanneroo Mayor Tracey Roberts and Butler MLA John Quigley celebrated the start on Friday with a sod-turning ceremony before earthworks started this week.
The Yanchep Dolphins Little Athletics Club and Yanchep Red Hawks Football Club will be among the groups using the ovals when they are ready in 2017.
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READ NOWWanneroo City Council endorsed the costs for YBJV’s oval groundworks and Marmion Avenue extension last month, enabling them to start groundworks.
It also follows a 28-day review period following the council’s adoption of the Yanchep-Two Rocks developer contribution plan and community facilities plan on April 28.
Mrs Roberts said it was significant for the community of Yanchep-Two Rocks, with the northern population growing “at an incredible rate”.
“Existing sporting reserves in Yanchep and Two Rocks have been under pressure for some time, with the local community understandably frustrated with the lack of facilities in the area,” she said.
“With the northern coastal growth corridor – comprising Alkimos, Eglinton, Yanchep and Two Rocks – expected to welcome 73,000 additional people by 2036, demand for facilities will only increase.”
Mr Ang said the joint venture would prefund much of the initial project, which the City would then reimburse via the developer contribution sScheme.
“This is a great day for the local community and we are happy to assist the City in delivering this important community asset,” he said.
“We have a great relationship with the City and we are keen to work together to provide active open space for local user groups.”
The City of Wanneroo has allocated almost $1 million in City funds over the next two years while the Department of Sport and Recreation is contributing an additional $1.75 million in grant funding.
In its 2015-16 budget, the City of Wanneroo allocated $2.335 million plus $82,110 carried forward for the playing fields.
Another $1.391 million (plus $141,792 carried forward) will go towards the sports amenities building and there was $39,232 carried forward for the access road to the ovals.
The overall project, which will feature two full size ovals serviced by a sports amenities building, is expected to cost $10.5 million.