Curtin University and the WA government have finally settled on a path forward for the state’s $135 million high-performance hockey centre.
After protracted negotiations that spilled out into a public row in October last year, the university and Sport and Recreation Minister David Templeman on Thursday signed a development deed for the construction of the Hockey Australia Centre of Excellence on Hockey WA’s existing campus site.
An artist impression of Australia’s new high-performance hockey centre on the Curtin University campus.Credit: Hockey Australia
The centre, which will train the next generation of Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, was first announced in December 2022 after WA beat Victoria and the ACT for the right to continue hosting Australia’s high-performance hockey program.
However, negotiations over leasing the 3.2-hectare site fell apart in October last year as the university and government clashed over leasing arrangements.
The friction boiled over into parliament, where Templeman revealed he had requested Lands Minister John Carey investigate a proposal to excise the land from the university after accusing Curtin of “holding [the government] to ransom” by requesting a “highly exorbitant” amount for land ultimately owned by taxpayers.
Curtin rejected Templeman’s statements, but the issue fell quiet – until Thursday.
The development deed means the state can move to the construction phase of the project, which is still budgeted for $135 million despite inflation that has hit the construction sector since the project was first announced.
In October last year, Templeman publicly stated the government had offered Curtin $800,000 a year for the lease, but his office would not reveal the final figure citing commercial confidentiality.
Templeman said the signing was a significant milestone for the state and nation.
“It is the beginning of a new era that will lead Australia on a path to sporting success for decades to come,” he said.
Curtin Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne, Hockey WA chief executive Fabian Ross and Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Director General Lanie Chopping signing the development deed on Thursday.
“The Western Australian community will be the big winner from this opportunity...I am confident the new home of hockey will be warmly welcomed by fans, players and the hockey community for generations to come.
“Perth has a rich hockey history so it makes sense that we remain the home of hockey, one that delivers a world-class, high-performance centre for athletes and fans of all ages to enjoy and thrive in.”
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne was also upbeat about the deed.
“We are excited to build on our long-term partnership with Hockey Australia, Hockey WA and the state government to ensure Australia remains a premier, world hockey nation,” she said.
“The new world-class purpose-built Hockey Centre will be adjacent to Curtin’s vibrant Exchange precinct that opened in 2022, featuring student residences, dining and leisure options and a supermarket, where athletes can live, study and play.”
The new facility will include three international hockey pitches, a specialist training facility, indoor hockey centre, and a 10,000-seat hockey stadium with modern broadcasting capabilities.
Two Australian Olympic Hockey players and Curtin students, Renee Taylor and Blake Govers, were crowned sport stars of the year at the Curtin sport awards on Wednesday.
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