WA Football Commission moving to Tuart Hill during Subiaco Oval demolition

THE WA Football Commission is relocating to Tuart Hill.

It will temporarily operate from Tuart College while Subiaco Oval is demolished to make way for its new headquarters and the Inner City College.

The State Government is negotiating with Football West to join the Commission at Tuart College, which would enable WA’s two major football codes to operate from the same site and share facilities.

It will spend $2.2 million to fit-out part of the college, which closed this year when the Government pulled funding, and $800,000 on property management and site maintenance.

Earlier this year, Education Minister Sue Ellery said the school’s enrolments declined from 2013 to 2017 and closing it would save $3.5 million over the budget forward estimates.

The Commission move allows for construction of the Subi East renewal on the oval and Princess Margaret Hospital sites, adjacent to West Leederville station.

Landcorp’s $33.7 million program to demolish the grandstands will start next year and entails retaining the heritage entry gates.

The Sandover Medal walk will also be preserved, either by it being relocated or reinterpreted.

The college is planned to open to Year 7 students in 2020.

Sport and Recreation Minister said the arrangement would give Tuart College “a new lease of life” and Ms Ellery agreed.

“The Tuart College site has retained its education focus with the foundation tenants bringing a range of development and enrichment programs,” she said.

According to Planning Minister Rita Saffioti, Subiaco Oval would remain a significant asset for the Subi East precinct.

“The demolition of the grandstands will make the historic and much-loved playing surface accessible to the community and the new Inner City College,” she said.

“As part of our Metronet changes, the frequency of the train services between Claremont and Bayswater will be boosted to every five minutes during peak times in the second half of 2021.”