Robinson Reserve Left Without Permanent Winter Tenant Following Football Club Ban
The City of Stirling has confirmed that Robinson Reserve, located on Royal Street in Tuart Hill, will not have a permanent tenant for the upcoming winter season. This development comes after the Osborne Park Football Club was expelled from the reserve and subsequently banned from competition by the Perth Football League.
Mayor Mark Irwin stated that the city is currently in discussions with several local clubs and organisations to establish permanent arrangements for the 2027 winter season. In the interim, the reserve will be utilized by a variety of local groups over the next few months.
"The city is in discussions with several local clubs and sporting organisations regarding the use of Robinson Reserve on a permanent basis for the 2027 winter season," Mr Irwin said. "The city has identified a number of preferred local sporting clubs and organisations, particularly those with a focus on those promoting junior and female participation, which we are currently working with regarding permanent arrangements for the 2027 winter season."
Background of the Ban and Reserve Upgrades
The City of Stirling terminated the Osborne Park Football Club's licence to use the premises in October of last year due to unreasonable licensee conduct. This decision followed a "completely unacceptable" incident at a post-season function hosted by the club.
A City of Stirling spokesperson explained that the club had been on notice for previous conduct issues, leading to the addition of an unreasonable licensee conduct clause to the licence agreement in April 2023. "Terminating a licence is not a course of action the city takes lightly, but the conduct in question was not only unreasonable, it was completely unacceptable," the spokesperson stated.
Despite the incident being investigated by WA Police, who confirmed that "no criminality was detected," the Perth Football League imposed a two-year ban on the club from competition.
Robinson Reserve, which underwent a $2.15 million upgrade in 2019, features modern clubrooms, sporting facilities, new accessible public toilets, a larger playground, a path network, picnic seating areas, and barbecues. The reserve is also home to the Osborne Park Cricket Club during the summer months and hosts the Osborne Park Show.
Future Plans and Community Impact
With the Osborne Park Football Club out of the picture, the City of Stirling is focusing on securing a new permanent tenant that aligns with community values, particularly emphasizing junior and female participation in sports. Mayor Irwin described the reserve as a high-quality open space with excellent facilities, making it an attractive venue for local clubs.
The temporary use by various local organisations this winter aims to keep the reserve active while long-term plans are finalized. This situation highlights the city's commitment to maintaining community standards and promoting inclusive sporting environments.
As the search for a permanent tenant continues, stakeholders in Tuart Hill and surrounding areas will be watching closely to see how Robinson Reserve evolves in the coming years, ensuring it remains a premier sporting hub for the community.
