THE Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport (CITS) have confirmed a sporting facility given the working title Malaga sports precinct (MSP) is being built in the suburb of Whiteman.

The precinct is located south of the Morley-Ellenbrook train line, adjacent to Ballajura station and north of Marshall Road.

A CITS spokesperson said the current name for the precinct, which is commonly used in media statements from the Cook government, is a working title for the project.

“As planning continues the future operational name of the precinct may be reconsidered however, that is not being contemplated during this phase,” they said.

According to a media statement dated June 20, the project is in stage 1 with the state government open to expressions of interest for construction partners to deliver the sporting facility.

“An investment of $20 million has been committed to finalise concept design and commence site investigations,” the state government said.

The spokesperson said MSP was located within planning control area (PCA) 174 for the Western Australian Planning Commission (WAPC).

“(This) states the site may be utilised for civic and cultural amenity, parks and recreation, schools and any associated car parking areas,” the CITS spokesperson said.

“The development of a sporting precinct is consistent with this intended use for the land.”

Under the state government’s planning control areas page, PCA 174 officially took effect on November 18, 2022.

“The declaration remains in effect for a period of five years from the date of publication of this notice in the Government Gazette, being 18 November 2022, or until revoked by the WAPC with approval by the minister, whichever is the sooner,” the website said.

Approval from the WAPC is required prior to developments being made in the area.

“The penalty for failure to comply with this requirement is $200,000 and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine of $25,000 for each day during which the offence continues.”

As reported in Potential home for the Perth Bears in Malaga Opposition Sports and Recreation spokesman Peter Rundle said there was a possibility the MSP could be used as the home ground for the new Perth Bears NRL club but he said the state government was yet to confirm this.

Vicki Marshall whose late father Len was a former Shire of Swan president and owned the land on the corner of Marshall Road and Beechboro Road North objected to the sporting precinct being named Malaga.

“I do not even understand why they would contemplate doing so,’’ she said.

“Given the history of the land alone, I feel that Whiteman needs to be incorporated into the name.

“Not just for the suburb, but as recognition of Lew Whiteman himself, and his contribution for the people of WA.

“One would have thought the Whiteman sports precinct, or even the Lew Whiteman sports precinct would be more appropriate.’’