Oh yeah...being patient is the game in regards to the major new stadium.
Absolute dunces...
Costs blow out but stadium still in limbo
Tim Clarke
October 17, 2008 - 3:14PM
An artist's impression of the proposed outdoor stadium at Kitchener Park in Subiaco. Photo:
www.perthstadium.com.au
Sports minister Terry Waldron has said he refuses to be rushed on any decision on the in-limbo new stadium for Western Australia - despite admitting continued delays over the future of the project could push up costs even further.
A month after Colin Barnett produced his shock ousting of the Carpenter government at the state election, there has been precious little movement or comment from the new administration over the development of Subiaco Oval.
With speculation the multi-billion dollar plans for a brand new stadium at Kitchener Park are likely to be scrapped - particularly with the Royalties for Regions commitment at $700m-a-year - no news has seemed like bad news for the future of the project.
But Waldron said today that he was still getting up to speed on the issues - not quietly sharpening his pen to write off the plans.
"I am sure we are going to make a decision, and there is a need for a quality stadium in WA there is no doubt about that.
It is easy to rush in and make a decision that is going to seem popular - we are not going to do that," Waldron said.
"When I am recommending to my premier and treasurer what should happen I want to make sure that I am satisfied in my own mind that it is the best thing for WA
"That process is going to take me a little while, and I am not going to be rushed into going into something that I am not comfortable with. ![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Oh how WA Governments hate funding stadiums...
"I want to acknowledge the work that was done by the task force, and I have been looking at that closely, a lot of people have put in a lot of time and I don't want to waste that - that would be silly." Well you will acknowledge that they said built it ASAP!
As well as the new stadium, uncertainty also surrounds the future of the WACA's proposed cricket academy, with $5 million election campaign commitments from both John Howard and Alan Carpenter now meaningless given their political plights.
At the WACA today to pose with the iconic Sheffield Shield trophy, Waldron was less keen to stand by the pre-election Liberal promise that they would match the funding committed by Labor for the project earmarked for McGilvray Oval.
"We are looking at all the options open to us at the moment, the stadium issue, a whole lot of priorities for sporting facilities," Waldron said.
"I am three weeks into being a minister, have had quite a few briefings already, and I have already met with Graeme (Wood) and it is one of the things we are looking at but I cannot make a commitment at this stage
"I have got to look at the whole gamut of our facilities, I am not going to rush in and make any decision until I as a minister am properly informed.
![Laughing :lol:](./images/smilies/icon_lol.gif)
Ring me up...
"But cricket is very important and the idea of a centre of excellence is one that is very appealing."