Planning for the Fremantle Dockers proposed elite training and administration facility at the City of Cockburn’s regional and aquatic centre at Cockburn Central West received a further boost from Regional Development Australia (RDA).

Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said that the RDA has advised the City of Cockburn and the club that their joint application was approved to move to the next stage of the Regional Development Australia Fund (RDAF) process.

The funding involves a two-stage application process, with the first stage being an expression of interest for approval by the state RDA committee, and the second stage being a full application to the national RDA.

“It is very pleasing to get this first tick of approval,” Rosich said.

“It recognises the opportunity that this exciting project can provide for the community and the hard work that has been put in to date by the City of Cockburn and assisted by the club.”

The RDA received 15 applications in total from WA and the Cockburn Central West project was one of only three approved to progress to the next stage.

The City of Cockburn (as project principal), in partnership with the Fremantle Dockers, submitted an application for $15 million in funding for the Cockburn Central West project, which is the maximum available.

Applications for the next stage close April, with successful projects to be announced in July.

The next stage of the process involves a detailed submission including:
 
- Concept plans;
- Project costs;
- Delivery timelines;
- Funding commitments;
- Business case/plan;
- Economic impact; and
- Community benefit/impact.

“Much of this work has already been progressed and we look forward to submitting a comprehensive application for the next stage of the RDAF process,” Rosich said.