The West Australian Cricket Association (WACA) has launched a bold bid for financial relief, formally asking the City of Perth to grant it a decade-long exemption from council rates. The move, if approved, would be worth an estimated $2.5 million to the historic sporting institution.
A Crucial Request for Financial Sustainability
WACA Chief Executive Christina Matthews made the direct appeal to the council's finance committee on Tuesday, July 16. The request is for a 100 per cent rates exemption for ten years, a significant measure aimed at bolstering the ground's financial future as it navigates the post-redevelopment landscape.
Matthews argued that the WACA provides substantial public benefit and community value that extends far beyond a typical private business. She highlighted the ground's role as a heritage-listed asset and a hub for community cricket, high-performance sport, and public events. The plea centres on the idea that this community service warrants financial support from the local government.
The $155 Million Redevelopment and Ongoing Costs
This request comes in the wake of the WACA's major $155 million redevelopment, a project funded by state and federal governments alongside Cricket Australia. While the transformation has delivered new facilities like the Lillee-Marsh Stand and the community-focused WACA Ground, it has also increased the property's rateable value and, consequently, its annual rates bill.
The WACA currently faces an annual rates notice of approximately $250,000. The ten-year exemption would directly alleviate this recurring cost, allowing the association to redirect funds towards operations, maintenance, and furthering its community programs. Matthews emphasised that the redevelopment was never intended to be a commercial profit-maker but rather a protected community asset.
Council Deliberation and Precedent
The City of Perth's finance committee has now received the submission and will deliberate on the merits of the request. The council has previously granted similar concessions to other not-for-profit entities that demonstrate broad public benefit. A key part of the WACA's case is positioning itself within this category, as a custodian of sporting history and a active participant in the city's cultural life.
The decision will hinge on the council's assessment of the WACA's community contribution versus the potential loss of rate revenue. Some councillors may seek assurances on how the saved funds would be specifically used to benefit the public. The outcome will set a notable precedent for how local government supports major sporting and heritage institutions within the city.
With the submission now before elected officials, the WACA awaits a decision that could secure its financial footing for the next decade. The result will have lasting implications for one of Perth's most iconic sporting venues.
