Perth Voice Interactive

PLANS to make Beales Park a permanent home for Noranda Women’s Football Club have been scrapped, following concerns from local residents.

The Morley club wanted to build a changing room and pavilion at the park, after club president Chris Blake complained “women had to change into their playing strip behind towels in the middle of the park”.

“Due to the disgusting condition of the toilets most refuse to use them, opting to travel the half-kilometre to use Noranda sporting complex facilities instead,” he’d told Bayswater councillors.

The council received just one response in support of the application and 12 against.

Concerns include parking congestion, noise and the potential for anti-social behaviour.

Councillors voted instead that the club use Emberson Reserve for the next three seasons.

Cr Mike Anderton says it’s better suited to the needs of the state league division one side.

“It is an established facility with ample parking and safer clearance from the road,” he says.

“Infant Jesus [primary school] already use it on a Sunday morning.

“Noranda would have the Sunday afternoon slot and two nights a week for training.”

Cr Michelle Sutherland—who coaches women’s soccer in her spare time and who originally proposed Beales as a new home for the club—concedes locals don’t want the soccer troupe there.

“Given the level of local opposition I feel Emberson is a much better fit and had been assessed favourably by the city’s officers.”

NWFC is currently based at Noranda sporting complex, sharing facilities with two other clubs. It’s pretty crowded and means the club often uses Beales Park as an overspill.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK