North Sydney Oval needs an upgrade to host NRL games. The mayor wants to make it happen
North Sydney mayor Zoe Baker says the council will play its part to ensure North Sydney Oval can host the Perth Bears and called for the state and federal governments to commit to funding to get the boutique ground up to NRL standard.
The NRL's 18th franchise will play the majority of its home games at Western Australia's HBF Park when it enters the competition in 2027, although ARLC chair Peter V'landys wants the team to return to North Sydney Oval once a season. That is music to the ears of diehard Bears fans, who will welcome the chance to see the red-and-blacks back at their spiritual home.
However, North Sydney Oval is in dire need of funding for upgrades – not only for the Bears but also the other sports that use the venue. Male and female cricket, soccer, rugby and rugby league teams regularly play at the ground, which has recently become more accessible following the introduction of a metro line a short distance away.
'North Sydney Oval is in really urgent need of an upgrade, not just for the Bears but particularly for the women's codes,' Baker said.
'Funding is difficult. We've been talking to the state government and will talk to the new federal member for the seat of Warringah who looks after North Sydney Oval, Zali Steggall, about funding to make that happen.
'Council is preparing plans, so there will be a master plan, and we're doing that in concert with all of the [sporting] codes. The lessons of the previous council's approach to the North Sydney Olympic pool will not be repeated. It has to be careful, transparent and costed so that everyone has confidence in what it will cost and what will be delivered.'
The rebuild of North Sydney's Olympic pool is a cautionary tale, given cost blowouts and revelations the construction company undertaking the project has launched a $28 million compensation court action against the council. Councillors recently voted to request an 87 per cent rate rise for property owners, in part due to the rising costs of the pool redevelopment.
The Bears played their last home game at North Sydney Oval, a 24-20 win over Melbourne, in round 25 of the 1999 season before their ill-fated marriage with Manly.
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