Future of Sydneys ANZ Stadium under threat as big-money sports war heats up
John Lehmann Editor at Large
The Daily Telegraph
November 15, 2014 12:00AM
The future of Sydneys Olympic stadium hangs in the balance, with powerbrokers launching a battle to decide where the city watches live sport for decades to come.
The powers behind Moore Parks Allianz Stadium, soccer supremo Frank Lowy and western Sydney sports bosses are intensifying their lobbying in a move which could have grave consequences for Sydney Olympic Parks ANZ Stadium.
ANZ Stadium is expected to soon reveal the details of its ambitious $350 million plan to modernise Sydneys biggest sports venue.
Allianz, controlled by the government-appointed Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust, has also unveiled a $250 million master plan to transform the out-of-date 44,000 seat stadium into a hi-tech, fully-roofed entertainment facility.
Sport Minister Stuart Ayres is committed to pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into giving Sydneys stadiums a much-needed upgrade.
But as Premier Mike Baird finalises where to invest, some of Sydneys biggest names are deciding how best to tip the pot of gold their way.
The Trust is directed by a host of influential business operators, including its chairman Tony Shepherd, Mr Olympics Rod McGeoch, Destination NSW chairman and ex-News Ltd boss John Hartigan, top broadcaster Alan Jones and retail guru Katie Page.
The government is also feeling the squeeze from Lowy, one of Australias richest men, who is backing a push by Western Wanderers owner, Paul Lederer, to have a new Parramatta Stadium developed with at least 32,000 seats.
With Ayres being a Penrith boy, he wants to make sure the west doesnt miss out and believes a modern stadium will be required to support population growth west of the M7.
The Penrith Panthers, driven by league heavy Phil Gould and ex-TAB chief Warren Wilson, have spied an opportunity to transform the 22,500 council-owned Penrith Stadium into a 30,000 seat venue.
Meanwhile, NRL boss Dave Smith has hardly been a vocal supporter of ANZ, while the Swans are almost certain to move games back to the SCG beyond 2016.
All of this spells danger for the future of Homebushs 83,500-seat ANZ Stadium, which is operated by the Stadium Australia Group, chaired by Infrastructure Capital Group major shareholder John Clarke. Former ACTU vice-president Michael Easson is also on the three-member board, along with stadium CEO Daryl Kerry.
The key is Parramatta. If the government agrees to significantly increase its capacity, the ANZ operators could demand the government pay out the remaining 17 years on their lease and run the stadium itself.
It has leverage to force this outcome under an agreement signed in 1996 with the government before the stadium was built. It compels the government to negotiate in good faith with ANZ to ensure there is no material adverse effect if the government lifts the capacity above 25,000 of any stadium within 50km of Homebush.
If the government took back ANZ, one option would be to knock down Allianz and build a new 70,000-seat stadium at Moore Park and then turn ANZ Stadium into apartments.
In one further twist, a consortium led by Page, Gerry Harvey and John Singleton are about to take possession of the Entertainment Quarter next to Allianz and they have big plans.
When I recently asked Singleton to name one thing that could be done to improve Sydney, his response was short: Blow up Homebush.
