Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The West Perth Football Club, based at HBF Arena in my electorate, is the oldest WAFL club, with 130 years of history. Club president Neale Fong and CEO Joe McCarthy have contacted me to express concerns that the existing lighting facilities at the oval are inadequate and in need of a major upgrade. The current towers, lights and infrastructure at the ground are 27 years old and require replacement. The average lighting intensity lux reading across the ground is 65, which is only just bright enough for the club's teams to train on. It does not meet the minimum requirement for night football competition. The club has a total of eight teams competing for premium green space on the oval, and not being able to play night football is proving to be a huge issue for the club.

The club has obtained a quote that puts the total cost of a lighting upgrade at $1.2 million. West Perth Football Club has obtained an initial commitment of a 10 per cent contribution from the AFL and is seeking a federal funding contribution in the order of a million dollars to complete the project. Upgraded lighting would allow the club to play night football, with a capacity in the future for televised night AFL. I am pleased to add my strong support in parliament for the lighting upgrade to be considered as part of the budget process.