Perth-based company Wave Park Group has proposed a $25 million surf park at the Swan River foreshore in Melville. The 2.4 hectare lagoon will be built in Alfred Cove where the Melville Bowling Club in Tompkins Park is located.
The proposed URBNSURF Perth will be able to produce surf 1.7 metres high and 110 metres long that will be able to last for as long as 17 seconds. According to Wave Park Group Executive Andrew Ross, Perth has hundreds of footy and cricket ovals but facilities for “wave-starved surfers” are non-existent.
“Perth is blessed with a number of idyllic beaches but the surf quality at some of those beaches is often poor, with over-crowding in the line-up also becoming an increasing issue.
Surfing is enjoyed by millions of Australians for excitement, lifestyle and recognised health benefits and is second only to AFL in terms of participation, so it seems fitting that Tompkins Park, a hugely popular sporting hub, could now include surfs sports facility,” said Mr Ross.
According to Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey, the surf facility is still in its early days of planning and the city is still looking for a prime location for it. The Mayor also said that the proposed facility needs to go through the process of presenting a proposal to the city council together with a detailed business case. If the council decides to endorse formal advertising of the proposal, the local community will be called to provide their feedback before it can be approved.
“As the city continues to plan for the future and the long term needs of all our residents, we are working to provide benefits to our community as a whole in terms of well-being, amenity and economics, and this proposal will need to present those outcomes,” Mayor Russell Aubrey said.
Will Western Australia finally see its first surf park? One thing is for sure though, no sharks!
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Source: The Age WA News