man, its a bussiness, do multy million $ companies get concessions/grants in your state? of coarse they do, just like in all states, the AFL have a brand that attracts crowds in Sydney, like it or not, thats a fact, every cent spent at a football game has a GST attached to it, every ticket sold to the game has a tax on it, the stadium upgrade its self has a flow back effect to the NSW government, it will create jobs, tourism, the new team will create jobs, 40 million isnt a lot of money considering the benifits, the NSW government want this succeed, its in everyones best interests, just because personelly you hate the sport doesnt mean it isnt wanted in your state, so write letters at will to the premier, but im telling you now, he will look at facts and figures, not one eyed league muppets who have a very healthy hatred for a rival code.
You are right, it may create tourism. Therefore you have a state of the art stadium right next door to use which will create stimulus for the State economy. Tourism (which I'll say yes...but I'm highly doubtful) would still occur whether at ANZ or at a new stadium. Your argument is baseless.
You are wrong, it wont create jobs as most of the employee's are contracted to a particular company, it wont create extra employment. Particularly be a WASTE of money when the ground will be only used on Game days in AFL and no other purpose.
The benefits seem to be purely and only for the AFL not to spend $40m of their own cash.
They made a significant promise to the State Government of NSW following the Sydney Olympics. Since then they have lied and failed to adhere to that promise. Now instead of using the facility they said they wanted to use for a Western Sydney team, they put their hand out for more money to redevelop a stadium that is not going to be used for any other sport, therefore the so called "new jobs" you think it will create will be lost because there will only be 13 days of employment per year (13 rounds...less if they play "blockbusters" at ANZ! which will take more revenue away from the showground).
Your argument is full of holes. I notice you didn't reply to my initial post with regards to the costing of the stadiums. Is it because I have actually worked in the finance function there and understand their business and basically proves that you are full of crap?
If the AFL want the Showground developed, then put their money where their mouth is. You apparantly have a $200m warchest to spend, open the chequebook. They have already received $30m to build a training facility in Blacktown, of which has created a massive deficit in the council budget of which many believe will take decades to pay off.
The NSW Government is already in significant and almost critical levels of deficit with more important issues to deal with than giving the AFL $45m to re-develop an insignificant stadium to anyone else other than them for only 13 days a year. Especially when a stadium right next door is able to hold the game, for a cheaper rate, with better facilities and existing contracts in place to run the stadium.
It makes no sense, it spits in the face of NSW that the AFL had made a significant committment to ANZ stadium and got their request which has hindered the stadium for use from the major sporting codes in the city and then they want to turn around and redevelop a redundant stadium.
The fact you see this as a viable business decision, when in fact it'd be a complete and utter waste of taxpayer funds proves your bias.
