I call bs on it being unusable. They didn’t put in massive jumbo screens thinking the place would be shut down. And if they did, that’s a scandal in itself.
Even if you allow for that, I don’t believe in the expenditure on other stadiums Because:
A) there are very few events that wouldn’t already be held in Sydney. Every travelling show will stop here because it’s the biggest market in the country.
B) most of the events that will be held are home games for domestic sports clubs that are already being catered for with the current stadia.
C) The number of remaining things not covered in a) and b) are so limited that they probably don’t cover the cost. It’s probably 1 or 2 events a year. If that. And the appeal of the new stadium will quickly fade off- probably within less than 5 years.
I happen to agree re: the screens, although thankfully they were repurposed and sent next door so there's no net loss there, just the labouring costs. Still scandalous but perhaps not severely so.
A) relying on other venues to hold the events by way of having one less venue diminishes the return to the Government. They don't own Stadium Australia, remember, by proxy of the SCG Trust, they do own SFS.
B) I disagree, the current stadia aren't adequate as it currently stands. Venues like Brookvale, Leichhardt etc continue to fall further behind from a lack of investment by local councils, and the existing stadia that can cope are ageing and require either upgrading or replacing.
C) Disagree about the appeal fading too. AAMI Park is entering its tenth year if I recall correctly and it remains very popular - because it is well designed and maintained and easy to access.
My share of the $700m this will cost is $300. I support 2 other people. I don't see Roosters or Waratahs fans chipping in for upgrades at Panthers stadium.
Do you understand the basics of stadium ownership? Panthers Group owns the stadium, doesn't it? That ain't the government.
