http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nat...t/news-story/85884eb2b36ea6ab1d43c48085f14cba
Teams want Allianz Stadium rebuilt first
- The Australian
- 12:00AM October 20, 2017
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Rugby union authorities and the three major sporting teams that use Sydney’s Allianz Stadium have written to Premier Gladys Berejiklian backing a plan to start work on Allianz before a rebuild of ANZ Stadium at Olympic Park.
Sports Minister Stuart Ayres is understood to be close to presenting cabinet with a plan where work would begin on rebuilding Allianz Stadium at inner-city Moore Park next year, and reconfiguring ANZ into a rectangular stadium in 2019.
The Sydney Cricket Ground Trust has pushed hard for work to start first on Allianz, which it manages, because of fears of a Labor victory at the 2019 state election. Opposition Leader Luke Foley is committed to rebuilding ANZ only.
The cricket ground authorities have also warned of potential safety threats at Allianz and pointed out it is 15 years older than ANZ.
Ms Berejiklian announced last month that she would rebuild both stadiums and did not rule out an Allianz rebuild before the election, or both stadiums being rebuilt at once. She was also prepared to spend more than the $1.6 billion allocated to upgrades, $300 million of which has been spent on the new Parramatta Stadium.
The NRL has made it clear that it supports an ANZ redevelopment first. One source claimed yesterday the league wanted the opportunity to make some money from holding a couple of interstate grand finals during any rebuild.
There has been speculation Mr Ayres’ plan involves an NRL grand final at the SCG during the rebuild. Parramatta Stadium would also host teams dislocated by a rebuild.
A letter to the Premier this week by Australian Rugby Union executive officer Bill Pulver and NSW Rugby Union chief Andrew Hore says: “While we are excited about, and strongly support, the opportunity that presents for ANZ Stadium to become, in rugby terms, the ‘Twickenham of the south’, based on the feedback of our fans and our own experiences we believe that Allianz Stadium, as the oldest stadium in the network, should be given investment priority. We strongly encourage the NSW Government to make an investment decision which will lead to the redevelopment of three stadia rather than exhausting the remaining funds at the Olympic Stadium.
“The ARU and NSWRU are committed to working with your government to deliver a stunning outcome for sports fans in NSW through the planned investment in sporting infrastructure and will do all that we can to support announcements around the investment phase of the NSW Stadia strategy.”
Another letter, dated last Friday, signed by the chief executives of the Waratahs, Sydney Swans, Sydney Roosters, Sydney FC, AFL NSW and Cricket NSW (the Alliance of Moore Park Sports) tells the Premier: “We understand that Cabinet will consider the next stage of capital allocation shortly. We wanted to specifically affirm our support for two world-class venues at Moore Park as a priority, including: an Allianz Stadium knockdown/rebuild with a minimum permanent seated capacity of 35,000; a completed SCG with the quality of experience in the MA Noble and Don Bradman stands replicated around the ground.”
The government’s latest plan is expected to be presented to cabinet by the end of the month.
