http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vi...r/news-story/68078056018d002afa408232bd9198b7
Etihad Stadium to undergo massive $225 million makeover in grand footy deal
Matt Johnston, state politics editor, Herald Sun
22 minutes ago
ETIHAD Stadium and the surrounding precinct will get a $225 million makeover in a landmark deal that also locks the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne for 40 years.
The agreement between the AFL and the Andrews Government will pave the way for the Melbourne Cricket Club Trust to embark on a major redevelopment of the MCG, potentially increasing its capacity above the current 100,024 people.
Etihad’s refurbishment will be centred on improving viewing experiences for fans, and will include better seating for footy and other major events on the bottom level of the stadium.
What the revamped Etihad Stadium will look like.
The funding was designed with football supporters in mind, Daniel Andrews said.
It is part of a larger sport cash splash across the state, worth almost half a billion dollars, set to be included in the May State Budget.
The
Herald Sun can reveal the Budget package also includes $242 million to upgrade facilities at suburban grounds and local clubs — including making Ikon Park in Carlton North the home of women’s football.
In return for Etihad upgrade money, the AFL will have to frequently open up the ground to other major events and sporting codes, including rugby and soccer.
Footy clubs that host games at the Docklands stadium will get “fairer” deals, with more money to flow from all matches, and women’s change rooms will be upgraded.
Premier Daniel Andrews said the funding was designed with supporters in mind.
“This is for the fans, giving them the best venues, better access to the sports they love, and keeping the Grand Final where it belongs — at the MCG — for the next 40 years.”
A new pedestrian walkway wll be built over Wurundjeri Way.
“This landmark deal will bring more footy to the regions, boost AFLW facilities and make sure Victoria stays the sporting capital of Australia.”
Under a previous agreement with the AFL, the Grand Final was to be secured for Melbourne until the mid-2030s.
That will be extended until 2057, giving the MCG Trust financial security to refurbish the home of footy and cricket in Australia.
Hosting rights for the Brownlow Medal will also be locked into Victoria for the next 10 years.
The $225 million Docklands deal includes a new pedestrian walkway over Wurundjeri Way from Southern Cross Station.
Inside the ground, concourse flooring will be added and a revamp of bottom-row seating should enable fans to get a better view of the action.
The AFL, which bought Etihad Stadium for about $200 million, had also proposed to the State Government the arena should be opened to Harbour Esplanade and a waterfront entertainment zone, to breathe new life into the Docklands precinct.
It is understood that while specific elements of the masterplan — revealed by the
Herald Sun in 2016 — are not included in the taxpayer-funded spending spree, it remains an option for the AFL.
Under the league’s vision, the entertainment hub would include a new “town square” with an amphitheatre.
A hotel and retail complex at least 11 storeys high could also be built, including a 1500-seat column-free ballroom to host events such as the Brownlow Medal.
HAND FOR COMMUNITY SPORTS GROUNDS
SUBURBAN sporting clubs across Victoria will share in a $242 million state government package to improve grounds and facilities for women.
The state Budget spendathon will include $20 million to redevelop Ikon Park in Carlton North — previously Princes Park — as the “home of women’s football”.
A further $15 million will be locked in a Female Friendly Facilities Fund. And $60 million will be available for community sporting grants.
The grants will be distributed across all sporting codes.
The government’s sports overhaul guarantee regional Victoria more footy. A deal with the AFL guarantees Ballarat two matches a year over the next decade and Geelong eight to nine matches a year.
Other major winners from the package include:
MOORABBIN Oval, which gets $13 million for Stage 2 of its redevelopment, allowing the St Kilda AFLW team to play there from 2020;
CASEY Fields and Whitten Oval, which get a $10 million boost to share;
VICTORIA Park, which gets $2 million for infrastructure improvements.
In a push to get more community sports facilities without hurting the Budget bottom line, the government will also open up a $100 million infrastructure loan facility.
Under the scheme, which will cost taxpayers $5 million in fees to operate, local sporting clubs from across Victoria will be able to apply for interest-free loans to repair grounds or build facilities.
The reforms have been decided on because sports ovals and pitches are at capacity in many areas of the state, and some of them are in disrepair.
Sport and Major Events Minister John Eren said the new spending comes on top of a major deal with the AFL to enhance Etihad Stadium and upgrade the MCG.
“We’re redeveloping our biggest sporting precincts in Melbourne and across regional Victoria to keep the best events right here where they belong,” Mr Eren said.
In a state election year, political campaigns from both major parties are likely to involve promises about local infrastructure upgrades.
Some clubs are crying out for more space and facilities.
Earlier this year, after the
Herald Sun revealed details of the potential deal between the AFL and the government, Opposition Leader Matthew Guy declared voters should get a choice on whether to splurge on Etihad Stadium or focus on local sporting facilities.
Last month, he told the
Sunday Herald Sun: “If I’m elected in November, I’ll take every dollar (Premier) Daniel Andrews commits to the AFL to spend on Etihad Stadium and give it to local sports ground upgrades, including building new female change rooms.
“It’s about time that our suburban and country sporting clubs rather than just the AFL got some support from the state government.”
The money for the Etihad Stadium upgrade will now be locked into the State Budget in 2018-19.
Under the government’s plan, more than $15 million would also be spent on upgrades at Albert Park, Yarra Bend, and other “key suburban sporting precincts”.
Another $18 million would go towards a Significant Sporting Events Program which will fund more than 75 major events on the sporting calendar every year.
The Andrews Government says that about half of those national and international quality events would be held in regional Victoria.
matthew.johnston@news.com.au
