'Disheartened' AFL star Jy Farrar calls for completion of Halls Creek oval repairs

Australia Broadcast Center

12 hours ago

AFL player Jy Farrar has come out in support of the Halls Creek community and says it is "ridiculous" that the local football oval is unusable.
Farrar's comments adds to mounting pressure on the Shire of Halls Creek over its incomplete football oval upgrade.
The prolonged closure of the oval, once dubbed the region's "footy factory," has sparked concern from the Gold Coast Suns AFL player who got his start training on the Kimberley oval.
After months of delays to planned works, the grounds have been left unsafe and unusable for two years.
Farrar grew up in Halls Creek and said there was "no way" he would have made it to the AFL without the oval or the community surrounding it.
"Halls Creek, being a footy factory, we can't even do that at the moment."
The oval has launched the careers of more than 10 AFL and AFLW players over the past decade.
Farrar said it hurt knowing the oval had been abandoned for so long.
"It's ridiculous. With the amount of players from Halls Creek lucky enough to get on a list it's disheartening, it's a shame," he said.
"We want a safe area where people can come and enjoy football, and hopefully bring joy back to the town that's been missing for the last two years."
Beyond sport, the oval has also been a hub of activity and a connection point for people.
"Youth crime is rising. I just think because there is no footy, kids are looking at other high adrenaline stuff to do."
The delays are "unconscionable" according to former WA premier and member of the previously named North Province, Peter Dowding.
"[The state government] tipped half a million [dollars] into the Halls Creek council's coffers and they've not completed the job, and that's a great shame," he said.
The WA government committed $595,758 to the project in 2023, as well as an additional $285,000 through the Club Night Lights Program.
Mr Dowding said young people in remote areas needed activities to participate in.
"If you take away those opportunities you end up increasing levels of lawlessness," he said.
"I'm not saying that's applying to everybody, but it's part of the problem when young people have got nothing to do."
Mr Dowding said roll-on turf could be a "viable alternative" if the grass could not be grown.
"Look at Optus oval, every week there's a roll-on turf being put down there to make sure the surface is adequate," he said.
WA sport minister Rita Saffioti said she had instructed the department to work with the local shire to ensure upgrades to the oval could be delivered as soon as "practically possible".
"I have been made aware of the delayed progress which I understand is due to previous contractor disputes, under the work commissioned by the shire," she said.
"It's disappointing as the works were key in improving the grounds to the benefit of the broader community, which is why the WA government made a contribution."
Shire of Halls Creek CEO Sue Leonard said in a statement she understood the concerns raised by the minister regarding delays.
"We share the minister's disappointment. Unfortunately, earlier contractor disputes did impact timelines," she said.
"We have since taken decisive steps to address these issues and move the project forward.
"We welcome the minister's commitment to working collaboratively with the shire, and we remain focused on delivering the upgrades as soon as practically possible for the benefit of the Halls Creek community."