TOPIC:

You just beat me to it alahoy. I've been looking at the WAFL Regs for 2024 and noticed the same in relation to fencing in Schedule 7. It's pretty clear to me the place has to be fenced to comply with WAFL Regs but then again, I don't think they're legally binding on the ground owners.

BC wrote:

You just beat me to it alahoy. I've been looking at the WAFL Regs for 2024 and noticed the same in relation to fencing in Schedule 7. It's pretty clear to me the place has to be fenced to comply with WAFL Regs but then again, I don't think they're legally binding on the ground owners.

Obviously not binding on the ground owners, ie the council. Either EFFC were asleep at the wheel during this process and didn't properly communicate to the council that the redevelopment needed to comply with this document, or the council in usual council fashion have built something to keep everybody happy and in the process chopped a few corners here and there to come in under spend and makes themselves look good.
Either way I think EFFC should have realised at least two years ago that this was going pear-shaped and rung the alarm or started looking at alternative arrangements.

DD wrote:

Surely there is a very simple solution to this mess. Put a permanent fence around it with 3 or 4 gates that are open 24/7 but closed on match days where entry fees are charged. I can see where the East Freo council and the locals would struggle with this. It’s called commonsense.

Is the public allowed to have access to the oval so fido can run and catch the ball and lay a cable? If so who cleans up before training nights 5 nights a week for the senior and colts when they train and match days with colts, reserves and league matches on?

DD I'm sure that is the case with most WAFL grounds, certainly is the case at leederville where there are 3 gate entries, 1 off the top carpark, 1 directly behind the Subi clubrooms and 1 off Vincent street, all are left open 24/7 except game days, it aint rocket science.
 

Yes, a fence with several entry points would be the best option. I can't believe this has gone pear shaped as an open area has been known for ages and would have thought all stakeholders including the WAFC, EF Town Council and EFFC would have come to an agreement by now.

Yes, its currently obviously a long way from compliant which is why they are in a bit of strife, by the sounds WAFL officials have inspected the place and said it wont be any good long term.

BC wrote:

You just beat me to it alahoy. I've been looking at the WAFL Regs for 2024 and noticed the same in relation to fencing in Schedule 7. It's pretty clear to me the place has to be fenced to comply with WAFL Regs but then again, I don't think they're legally binding on the ground owners.

 Not on the ground owners , but they are on the leagues games, you cannot play a league game unless compliant to standard.

 

Doesn't look much like the original design that probably got EF supporters and the board excited. Going by this fly through which I've taken a few screenshots of, it looks like there was a separate seated area for EF fans. Looks much bigger and better than what they've ended up with.



 

Yeah the initial design by Hunt Architects was impressive - and all for $26 million!. But I guess the builders brought them back to reality as they always do and we got about half of that for $33 million. Probably really needed $50 million really.

I spoke to someone who knows an east freo council member. One view from the council is that EF board members who were also councillors worked a pepper corn rent for EF over the years. They also restricted access to the ground to rate payers.  The council is small. Rate payers were not happy with the club for these reasons.. 

and then there are the jobs for good kids from the bush , fair few from Geraldton 
Kerry Coates had heaps of them at the old depot over the decades as well
but those old boy days are gone