Shadow sports minister Lynda Voltz slams ANZ Stadium buy-back as Allianz Stadium in need of urgent $137 million upgrade
Shadow sports minister Lynda Voltz will demand answers on why the NSW government spent $200 million to buy back the lease to ANZ Stadium, which she claims has left Sydney Olympic Park Authority officials "nobbled" in the feud over the once-in-a-generation stadiums funding split.
The state MP has promised to raise the issue in the Budget Estimates as the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust warned on Monday that an urgent $137 million safety upgrade is required for the ageing Allianz Stadium.
Voltz went on the attack over the trust "using its political muscle to get what it wants at the expense of western Sydney" as the funding breakdown for Sydney's two major winter sport venues, Allianz Stadium and ANZ Stadium, remains clouded.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is awaiting a business case on the ANZ Stadium proposal, which is expected within the month.
But Voltz has slammed the decision under Mike Baird's government last year to bring ANZ Stadium under the Venues NSW umbrella in a buy-back from its former private ownership, while the trust has agitated for a greater cut of the $1.6 billion stadiums spend.
"We opposed the legislation putting Sydney Olympic Park into a stadium venue structure with the Sydney Cricket [and Sports] Ground Trust left outside and this is the reason why and it's exactly what has happened," Voltz said.
"[ANZ Stadium officials] can't say anything because they've nobbled them. This is the Sydney Cricket [and Sports] Ground Trust doing what the Sydney Cricket [and Sports] Ground Trust always does using its political muscle to get what they want.
"Here we've got a minister that is not even committed to doing the work at Sydney Olympic Park, but he's spent at least $200 million buying back the lease. Is he still committed to a rectangular stadium and cover?"
The trust claimed on Monday the 31-year-old Allianz Stadium – home of the NRL's Roosters, A-League champions Sydney FC and Super Rugby's Waratahs – was poorly equipped to cope with an emergency.
There are fears that unless the venue desperately receives a significant upgrade it won't be operational within a few years.
"The issue is that while the stadium is completely safe – it is not meeting all required modern building standards," the trust said.
"In close consultation with Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Police, the trust has identified best practice and procedures to ensure the venue complies with the guidelines set out in the conditional certificate of occupancy.
"This process cannot continue indefinitely and the trust has put a proposal to the NSW government for essential expenditure of the order of $137 million to bring Allianz Stadium to an acceptable level of safety and compliance.
"Such an investment will not impact the fan experience, for better or for worse."
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has sought a meeting with Berejiklian to reaffirm his support for the majority of funding to be directed towards ANZ Stadium, which counts the 13-man code as its primary tenant given the Bulldogs, Rabbitohs, Tigers, Dragons and Eels all play out of the venue.
Greenberg's role in collective bargaining agreement talks with the Rugby League Players Association is expected to come to a head this week before a meeting with club bosses on Thursday.
He will finalise a meeting with Berejiklian shortly thereafter.
Voltz's attack comes after trust chairman Tony Shepherd, also the boss of AFL's Greater Western Sydney Giants,
told Fairfax Media last month the flag contenders would prefer ANZ Stadium retain its oval shape to have the capacity to host marquee finals matches and Big Bash League cricket.
The AFL doesn't have an existing contract with ANZ Stadium and the Sydney Thunder have signed a long-term BBL deal to play out of neighbouring Spotless Stadium.
The NRL has campaigned for a more intimate venue at Olympic Park to bring crowds closer to the action, which would also appease Football Federation Australia powerbrokers.
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...gent-137-million-upgrade-20170814-gxvi15.html
