The overall cost of the WACA ground improvement project has risen from $170 million to $182.5 million.
The overall cost of the WACA ground improvement project has risen from $170 million to $182.5 million, with its practical completion date also rescheduled for the third time since October 2024.
At a press conference at the iconic venue on October 8 last year, government and WA stakeholders said the-then $168.9 million project was expected to achieve practical completion by September 2025.
During an interview with The West Australian newspaper early last month, WA Cricket chief executive John Stephenson said practical completion of the project had been re-scheduled for October 31 2025, with a $170m price tag.
On Friday, both state government and WA Cricket spokespeople told Business News that the total project cost was now in the vicinity of $182.5 million.
The WA Cricket spokesperson said the cost increase was a result of a decision for levels two and three of the ground to be fit out, a move which was initially set to be delayed.
Following the topping out ceremony press conference at the venue on Friday morning, a WA Cricket media release confirmed the re-development project now had a practical completion date of November 2025.
ADCO Constructions WA state manager Lyn O’Brien said the project was approximately 80 per cent complete overall and outlined its next steps.
“The high performance centre has had turf installed and also the netting is almost ready to go,” she said.
“The slides will be completed in the next four weeks – and as you can see, we’re celebrating the topping out pavilion stage.”
The state government has committed an additional $15 million towards the project in the 2025-26 state budget, bringing its overall contribution up to $105 million.
Mr Stephenson, who relocated from the UK last year for the role, said he was confident the re-developed venue will be well received across all sectors of the community.
“For me, the WACA has been iconic ever since I was a kid,” he said on Friday.
“And now coming to Perth and seeing this development and opening it up to the community… which in East Perth as the deputy premier explained, there’s so much investment going into East Perth.
“The primary school and flats being developed. This is a really exciting future and we want to be a part of it.
“So inviting all of the families in to access our new facilities – hopefully that will generate and spark their interest in cricket.”
